Mid grade Integrated amp choices


Currently, I have a Rotel A12, which is decent, but I am ready to upgrade. My other equipment is a Bluesound Node 2, Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Esprit turntable, and Sonus Faber Chameleon T speakers with Nordost cabling throughout. At first, I was going to upgrade speakers, but after home auditioning the Dynaudio Contour 20's and Focal 1008 Be's, I felt that my integrated was the weakest link currently. 

 So, I have been auditioning a few amps (several at home) for the last few weeks. So far, I have home auditioned:

NAD 388 (with the BluOS card) - Class D gives weight to bass, but otherwise, it's just okay
Simaudio Moon ACE - Nice, certainly better than the Rotel, very good warranty and build
Simaudio Moon 340i - Seemed too boomy with bass and a little brittle on the top end
Bryston b60r - Nice, really good sound. Great warranty
Plinius Hautonga - Blew me away. Yes, the 200 watts may have had a lot to do with it. But, the soundstage was huge and everything was so detailed.

I will be dealer auditioning this Friday:

Rega Elex -R
Rogue Sphinx
Naim 5si

Anyone have any experience with the Rega, Rogue or Naim against the Plinius? I don't know if I want to spend that much on an integrated right now and am hoping that one of the ones I am auditioning Friday will blow me away. Thoughts? Comments?

-Brian   
128x128bkmaxey
+1 for the Ayre A7e
I have one for my Zu Omen Bookshelves. Very nice. You can score one for around $1400 used.
FWIW I made the following progression: started with a Rogue Cronus Magnum. Upgraded to the Rogue Pharaoh..it blew the Cronus away... then I went to a Prima Luna Dialouge Premium..once again a significant upgrade. And it drives Maggie 1.7’s no problem. All 3 of these amps were under what you budgeted. Good luck!
Went to Audible Elegance in Cincinnati today to hear the Rega’s, Naim and Rogue’s. Listened on some Totem Rainmakers with a Bluesound Vault. 

Rega Brio-r was really impressive for it’s price. I feel it played well above it’s modest price. I might get one later for our bedroom later.

Rega Elex-r was the Brio, but more. Very nice, quite in your face.

The Rogue Cronus Magnum was really excellent. I’m not sure I want a tube amp, but this could change my mind. 

The Rogue Sphinx was the real surprise, it was stupendous. I think, to me, it was the closest to the Devialet and Plinius.

The Naim xs had a solid performance, certainly on my list.

Not a bad one in the bunch to be honest. They are kindly allowing me tommy home audition any I want. Once I put the Devialet through it’s paces, I will probably start with the Sphinx.

I appreciate all the suggestions, and will check them out as I can.



If you like tubes the rogue Cronus magnum 2 with the k120’s is a nice integrated. I moved away from the Cronus and went to using Hegel integrated amps. I started with the h100 but was a little light on power for my Usher’s. I moved up to their top of the line integrated. You can buy a used Hegel h300 for around $3000 now and the h360 for $3500+. If you don’t need all that power look at the Hegel Roost or H160/h190 integrates.