Wood Posted November 23, 2019 Share Posted November 23, 2019 Really happy with my HT setup so now focusing on improving the two channel music listening experience. Looking for a stereo integrated that will do a better job than my AVR with vinyl and streaming sources. Current speakers are KEF Q950s, but when these sell they will be replaced with KEF R3s. Requirements: 1. Available in black. 2. Has HT bypass capabilities. 3. Will perform better than my Yamaha RX-V1085 when watching movies. 4. MAX spend is $3,500 (second hand is fine). It does not need a phono stage as this will be factored in when I purchase a TT. It also does not need a DAC or any sort of network/BT features. Thanks in advance. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jakeyb77 Posted November 23, 2019 Share Posted November 23, 2019 Musical Fidelity brand new in that range Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gemini07 Posted November 23, 2019 Share Posted November 23, 2019 Suggest you have a hard look at this: Audia Flight FL Three S Integrated amp in Excellent Condition WWW.EBAY.COM.AU And, as following our philosophy for best. other integrated amplifiers within its category. the stabilized power supplies until the driver transistor section. Four high-current power supplies... Very rich, sweet, detailed and dynamic sound which should pair well with the KEFs. It appears to be only a few months old and should therefore still have considerable warranty, etc. I think it can do HT by-pass but you'd have to check. Well under new price. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irek Posted November 23, 2019 Share Posted November 23, 2019 Why do you want to change speakers ? Just thinking if you keep your current speakers and invest more in integrated $5000+ it might give you better experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wood Posted November 23, 2019 Author Share Posted November 23, 2019 7 minutes ago, Irek said: Why do you want to change speakers ? Just thinking if you keep your current speakers and invest more in integrated $5000+ it might give you better experience. Even if I did keep the Q950s my budget for the integrated wouldn’t change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wen Posted November 23, 2019 Share Posted November 23, 2019 Musical Fidelity M5si, pick of the range, has phono and lots of grunt + other features, in your budget, new, warrenty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rantan Posted November 23, 2019 Share Posted November 23, 2019 7 minutes ago, wen said: Musical Fidelity M5si, pick of the range, has phono and lots of grunt + other features, in your budget, new, warrenty +1 on this. Sounds really good indeed and will work with (and drive easily ) just about any speaker you would conceivably partner with it. I had one until recently and am now regretting selling it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jakeyb77 Posted November 23, 2019 Share Posted November 23, 2019 17 minutes ago, rantan said: +1 on this. Sounds really good indeed and will work with (and drive easily ) just about any speaker you would conceivably partner with it. I had one until recently and am now regretting selling it. Yep, shoulda kept mine also Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wood Posted November 23, 2019 Author Share Posted November 23, 2019 36 minutes ago, wen said: Musical Fidelity M5si, pick of the range, has phono and lots of grunt + other features, in your budget, new, warrenty 26 minutes ago, rantan said: +1 on this. Sounds really good indeed and will work with (and drive easily ) just about any speaker you would conceivably partner with it. I had one until recently and am now regretting selling it. 8 minutes ago, jakeyb77 said: Yep, shoulda kept mine also How does it compare to the Rega Elicit-R? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rantan Posted November 23, 2019 Share Posted November 23, 2019 Just now, Wood said: How does it compare to the Rega Elicit-R? Much more power and current as well as being more tonally neutral. Rega amps are fine with easier speaker loads, but the MF kills it for versatility and the ability to easily blend in with any given system, where the Rega needs careful system matching. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irek Posted November 23, 2019 Share Posted November 23, 2019 4 hours ago, Wood said: How does it compare to the Rega Elicit-R? Rega Elicit-R - plenty of details, a little bit warm sound and fast bass. It's very agile, very good with timing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gryffles Posted November 23, 2019 Share Posted November 23, 2019 19 hours ago, gemini07 said: Suggest you have a hard look at this: Audia Flight FL Three S Integrated amp in Excellent Condition WWW.EBAY.COM.AU And, as following our philosophy for best. other integrated amplifiers within its category. the stabilized power supplies until the driver transistor section. Four high-current power supplies... Very rich, sweet, detailed and dynamic sound which should pair well with the KEFs. It appears to be only a few months old and should therefore still have considerable warranty, etc. I think it can do HT by-pass but you'd have to check. Well under new price. Agree. Go to Audio Connection with cash in hand and make an offer. You might be surprised. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H.E. Pennypacker Posted November 23, 2019 Share Posted November 23, 2019 (edited) I can link you up with a member selling a Luxman L-507 in that ballpark (he offered it to me while I was looking for an integrated). *damn... just noticed had to be black. Edited November 24, 2019 by furtherpale Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hytram Posted November 23, 2019 Share Posted November 23, 2019 (edited) 16 hours ago, jakeyb77 said: Yep, shoulda kept mine also I can sell it back to you with small burn in fee... Half thinking off moving it along, love it but really want to go a streamer with dirac and I already have a power amp sitting there doing nothing and something has to give 16 hours ago, Wood said: How does it compare to the Rega Elicit-R? I demo-ed both, I reakon the Rega was a punchier amp, snare drums just cracked harder to the the was more punch in the kick.. Which I really liked The M5si was more detailed. I chose the M5Si because: I got a near new one cheap It's got HT bypass (Rega hasn't?) It's got trigger in (Rega hasn't?) Got DAC built-in (Rega hasn't) I am running my M5Si after a Yamaha 1081 avr in HT bypass mode and then on its own for 2 ch.. It's great, leave it in HT bypass, just press the remote on/off on the the Yamaha and the M5Si just acts like a power amp, you don't have to touch it. Very wife friendly (except when you forget to turn it back to HT bypass before you turn it off after you have been listening to 2ch, Simple press of remote button to change though.. Which ISNT wife friendly... Apparently) If I was going a stand alone 2ch system, I probably would have gone the Rega, I liked its more forward sound. Edited November 24, 2019 by Hytram 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wood Posted November 24, 2019 Author Share Posted November 24, 2019 Appreciate the thoughtful reply @Hytram! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wood Posted November 24, 2019 Author Share Posted November 24, 2019 On 24/11/2019 at 10:31 AM, furtherpale said: I can link you up with a member selling a Luxman L-507 in that ballpark (he offered it to me while I was looking for an integrated). I’m assuming it’s silver? As vain as it sounds, I’m looking for a black unit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
betty boop Posted November 25, 2019 Share Posted November 25, 2019 9 minutes ago, Wood said: I’m assuming it’s silver? As vain as it sounds, I’m looking for a black unit. this is where something like musical fidelity is good have options or black or silver. another dark horse is unison research make some lovely 2ch integrated both valve and hybrid and look lovely in black another one to check out is primare and Bryston. all good options .... best to head into a store that sells your kefs and check out what options they have. cant explore all options on earth but its good to check out what can, am sure will find something that suits and it might not even be something mentioned here as yet 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jakeyb77 Posted November 25, 2019 Share Posted November 25, 2019 @Wood get in touch with @Hytram and buy my MF M5Si. It’s black and about 3 months old. I sold it at a great price and it’s a steal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H.E. Pennypacker Posted November 25, 2019 Share Posted November 25, 2019 57 minutes ago, Wood said: I’m assuming it’s silver? As vain as it sounds, I’m looking for a black unit. Yup... silver only (I definitely get it - I was in the ‘must be black’ camp - except nothing else really does what a 590 does). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rantan Posted November 25, 2019 Share Posted November 25, 2019 Just finished reading a nice SNA official review of the new Creek Evo 100. it seems to tick all the boxes with optional phono and DAC modules as well as being really good as it stands. It could be worth a look. I am actually curious if any member here has see/heard one of these and what their impressions were? Creek has always flown somewhat under the radar and perhaps never received their due accolades, but they were always highly musical and more than favourably comparable to to the more widely known UK brands and this one looks very tasty. Creek Audio Evolution 100A Integrated Amplifier WWW.STEREO.NET.AU Britain's Creek Audio has established a reputation for producing high-performance, value for money Hi-Fi components. We take a... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wood Posted November 25, 2019 Author Share Posted November 25, 2019 I have been looking at that, but the M5Si’s 150wpc is very enticing for my HT application. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bjs Posted November 25, 2019 Share Posted November 25, 2019 On 23/11/2019 at 1:35 PM, jakeyb77 said: Musical Fidelity brand new in that range There are some good deals on them ex demo usually or almost new secondhand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jakeyb77 Posted November 25, 2019 Share Posted November 25, 2019 1 hour ago, bjs said: There are some good deals on them ex demo usually or almost new secondhand. You have been found guilty of not reading the whole thread Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cope Posted November 25, 2019 Share Posted November 25, 2019 Not to dissuade you from your R3 plan, but as an aside I have to agree with an earlier comment that the Q950s have a lot more to give. What the Q series towers want more than anything is an absolute truckload of power. Throw something like the 350wpc Rotel power amp in the classifieds at them, and you'd be surprised at how clear and authoritative they become. Something to pass on to prospective buyers if you sell them, at any rate. On the subject of an integrated for the R3s, the Musical Fidelity makes a lot of sense, though I've not heard that combo myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yannakout Posted November 27, 2019 Share Posted November 27, 2019 Levardin isx or isx reference depending on first or second hand. they should pair very very well with the KEFs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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