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Integrated amp + DAC + room correction all-in-one for Nola Boxer 1 + REL R328 sub

Dear forum,

I’m looking to upgrade my integrated amp + external DAC source to an all-in-one integrated amp + DAC + room correction box. Budget to $2500, may stretch to $2800 if super-compelling.

I currently use a Creek 5350se integrated amp, with external DAC input from a Yamaha RX-V773 AVR (TI/Burr-Brown PCM1681 DAC chip on whatever circuit Yamaha cooked up).

Loudspeakers are Nola Boxer 1 on Dynaudio Stand 4, and REL R328 sub connected by Neutrix cable to main L/R binding posts on amp. Loongg runs of ProWire speaker and Neutrix cables through crawlspace to loudspeakers / sub.

Music = classical + opera, electronic, new & old rock, alternative, trap, house

Room is 18’ x 12’ x 13’h average ceiling height (2808 cu feet), hardwood floors, random furniture objects. Speakers 6’ apart, REL sub in corner to right of right speaker, listening position 8’ from center of speaker axis.

Requirements (but will flex if compelling):

  1. one box, no separates: amp + DAC and ideally + room correction
  2. ethernet-in on DAC circuit <= can be talked out of this if sensible alternatives
  3. ’classic’ & useful front-plate design <= no NuPrime IDA-16
  4. simple, solid, non-stupid remote <= again, no NuPrime. Rogue doesn’t get hi marks here either
  5. known affinity with Nola Boxer 1 a huge plus

Here are units I’m researching in DESC order of coveting-ness:

  • Hegel H190 <= yes $4K USD srp, will stretch to $2800 to buy used
  • Parasound HINT6 Halo <= ESS Sabre32 Reference ES9018K2M DAC, new product, no reviews/track-record. No ethernet-in either. Will stretch to $2800 for used ... and probly have to wait a long time for that.
  • Creek Evolution 100A <= no ethernet-in. Eventual poor reliability experience with my existing Creek 5350se, which used a lo-quality ALPS input switch, which is failing
  • Micromega M-100 <= will stretch to $2800 for used. No ethernet-in afaict.
  • Rogue Cronus Magnum II <= reviews suggest cheap-feeling remote. No ethernet-in.
  • Yamaha A-S801 <= ’budget’ solution at $900 USD, ESS Sabre ES9010K2M DAC circuit. Needs Yamaha wireless connector for ethernet-in. May not have room correction?

All helpful feedback appreciated including units I haven’t considered. Relatedly, I’m wondering how much I’d give up if I went the ’budget’ route (Yamaha A-S801).
usery
audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
1,621 posts
 
Usery that is one reason we would have loved you getting the unit from us you would have gotten the guidance on how to setup the piece and we would have loved to earn your business.

You are using the Micromega the wrong way, Ditch the Chromcast.

Get a copy of Jriver and you can stream your library or streaming music directly to the M100, It works like a charm and the sound quality is great.

You can do full upconversion or DSD directly through Jriver and send the data stream via the etherne connection directly to the Micromega.

Also use a set of four Isoacoustics Pods for $20 each under all four sides, aside from sounding better it enables you to gain access to the cabling much easier.

Also please retire the belden the Wireworld Starlight is a huge improvement.

Also after a 100 hours the sound quality will be far better. and the Cullen cables are okay you can do way better.

We are so delighted that you are loving the M100 we have been championing the Micromega M100 and in our shop it is extremely hard to beat the combination of musicality, bass drive and impact and feature set for the price.

Dave and Troy
Micromega dealers


jafant
10,525 posts
 

Thanks! for the update - usery


Happy Listening!

jafant
10,525 posts
 

austinbob-


which Mark Levinson pre-amp/power amp did you replace?


Happy Listening!

benb
33 posts
 
Any further comments on the M100 or other comments on alternate options.  I’m in the same situation and considering the Marantz nr1609 among others
usery OP
72 posts
 
benb,

Before I settled on the M-100 I too was looking 'downmarket', at the Yamaha A-S801 - though by design that unit is mostly committed to 2-channel stereo rather than the 'AV' of the Marantz nr1609. If AV is the feature set you're looking for, then the M-100 or A-S801 may not be the right fit.
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