Totem Dreamcatchers integrated amp, under $1000.


I'm in the market for an integrated amp for a pair of Totem DC's for under $1000. Has anyone had any experience with the Rotel RA-12 and DC's?, also considering NAD and the Rega BrioR. Problem with the Rega is that it'll put my over budget a bit by the time I get a DAC.

Regards
sonomatic
Naim goes very with with Totem. I have heard the Naim Nait 5i-2 with Arro and Sffaf and really liked it. Should go with the DC also. Just checked, one on sale for just over $1K.

NAD could also be good. No experience with the Rega. IHMO, the Rotel can be a little forward and harsh, which may not mix as well with the DC.
could go with an older non-remote Brio model...this pop up now and then...creek, Nad, etc would also work...
You may be able to find a nice Arcam integrated amp within your budget. I've heard wonderful music with original Totem Model One's driven by an Arcam integrated. Have fun.
So are you saying you're looking for a $1K integrated, or an integrated plus DAC for $1K? What are you DACing--CDs, computer files, network streaming?

The most astounding <$1K integrated amp I've heard is the Marantz PM8004. It was in a demo powering a $10K pair of Sonus Faber Cremona M floorstanding speakers. Its control over bass lines was fast and absolute. Its overall tonality, timing, perceived linearity, and especially musicality was exemplary. In short, the speakers sounded like they were being powered by an expensive stack of separates.

This is the lowest price amp in Marantz's Reference Series. They have a separate factory for these products in Japan. The other Reference Series amps are much more expensive and have a different model number designation. They are designed by longtime Marantz designer Ken Ishiwata in the Netherlands (going back to when Marantz was owned by Philips). Reviews indicate that even the built-in phono preamp is excellent. The amp is rated at 70/100 watts into 8/4 ohms but sounds much bigger. It's not just higher highs, lower lows, tighter bass, and more transparent midrange; this Marantz has that more elusive quality of being able to draw you into the music time after time.

The PM8004 lists at $999 but factory refurbs can sometimes be had for less at accessories4less.com or vanns.com. If you buy locally, maybe you can haggle a deal for the amp plus a low cost DAC for your target figure. It was a 2012 Absolute Sound Editor's Choice. Review here. And here's a recent A-gon review.

For integrated amp with built-in DAC for $1K, there's the Peachtree Decco65, It's a DAC and intgrated amp with tubed buffer stage all in one. As a DAC it offers asynchronous USB, two coaxial, and one Toslink input plus one pair of analog inputs. It puts out 65/95 wpc into 8/4 ohms.

Although the Marantz doesn't have a built-in DAC, it's more versatile in certain ways, particularly with phono and multiple analog inputs.