Integrated Amp Recommendations for Sierra-2

[dtsequoia]

You could always go with this thing:

https://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-SX-N3...EBK6VZTM6TJNPQ

And get for your Preamp for phono here:

http://schiit.com/products/mani

Puts you well under 2k and the Pioneer has good reviews.

Or do what Enrico did with the P5 and the XPA. That would be a killer combo.

[chrisdavid]

Hi all and happy new years eve!
I am pretty focused on class d now, so it appears the Parasound is out for me, being (I think) an AB amp. The Pioneer looks interesting. I didn't realize they were building class d amps/receivers. Searching around there site, I found a fully integrated receiver with phono and dac for $1000:
https://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-SC-LX...words=SC-LX501

It has many more features than I need, and I can't find any info about the phono stage, but I'm intrigued. Given my focus on Class D, I've narrowed my choices (for now) down to Rogue (Sphinx, or if I can get some kind of lucky deal, Pharoah), Peachtree (Nova150), or that Pioneer. Anyone have any experience with these? I know Rogue has a great reputation for phono stages, but not sure about the Peachtree or the Pioneer.

Thanks again for everyone's suggestions. It's been really helpful to hear from folks using the S-2s!

[dtsequoia]

Hey man,

Well, if you are personally interested in the Pioneer Elite, I can assure you, it is a great receiver. I have the SC-65 from a couple years ago. I love it. Took some time to get the MCACC to my liking (run MCACC with the FRONT ALIGN setting). But, after some tweaks, my CBM-170's and Rhythmik F12 sound amazing. I recommend the Elite you are thinking about. Mine, like I said, has been working well over the last 4 years on a daily basis.

Hope this helps.

[N Boros]

I remember listening to a Home Theater Geeks episode about this amplifier.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AZw-PZFpcxw

Performance-wise I think this amplifier might be though to beat. I really sounds similar to what Rythmik is trying to do with their subwoofers, but in a completely different way. How much of this is audible I have no idea. It is also over budget. But, if I were looking to control heat, have as much efficiency as possible and yet still have the goal of a class A sound, this is what I would be looking closely at.

https://benchmarkmedia.com/products/...ower-amplifier

[dtsequoia]

I'd go with the Peachtree. A friend of mine has one with some CBM 340's and loves the combination.

[enricoclaudio]

You should check this post:

http://forum.ascendacoustics.com/sho...5794#post55794

[chrisdavid]

Hi all,
Thanks again for all of your input. While the parasound really does have all the features under the sun and I like the idea of room correction in the pioneer, I ended up ordering a demo unit of the Peachtree Audio Nova150- it has all of the features I'm looking for right now, has been getting great reviews, and I got a good deal. I'm pretty excited- will post back here with impressions once I have some time with it.
Cheers,
Chris