So I finally got a the green light from my wife to pull the trigger on a "nice" audio system. I've got a budget of $5000. This will be my first foray into high end audio equipment, so you'll have to excuse my ignorance.

I'm leaning heavily towards the new Triton 5 towers as they seem to be getting glowing reviews paired with a mid-range subwoofer (most likely ForceField 4). I also plan on giving the Triton 2 a listen to see how they compare. My dealer is supposed to be getting his Triton 5s later this month.

I'm having a hard time narrowing down a amplifier. I know I want to go for a integrated amplifier preferably with a solid DAC built in. I plan on listening to most of my music via a streaming service like Spotify or Tidal from my iPhone/iPad. I have some questions about the cleanest way to get that content. I know my Apple TV has a optical out.

My short list of amplifiers are below (in no particular order). Unfortunately, the GoldenEar dealer in my area only carries one of them (Rotel), and I have some hesitation spending $2,000+ on a amplifier that I haven't heard. That being said, I still want to take other members opinion. I know several members have spoken highly of the combo of the Rogue Sphinx and Triton 2, so I expect it will be just as good paired with Triton 5.

Possible Integrated Amps - Price - Output (8ohm) - Built in DAC

Rogue Sphinx - $1300 - 100w - No

Rotel RA-1570 - $1700 - 120w - Yes

Peachtree nova125 - $1500 - 125w - Yes

Vincent sv-237 - $2400 - 150w - Yes (no optical)

Anthem 225 - $2000 - 225w - No

The type of music i typically enjoy listening to ranges from Classical to Daft Punk. I'm currently on a big folk/acoustic kick right now. I'm more concerned about accuracy of sound then just sheer loudness or bass.

Thanks in advance for your input!

gth141a,

Per the usual recommendations, audition as many as you can in person with your own ears. Your list looks really good. I'd recommend adding Hegel to you list. They offer a silky smooth solid state product that sounds fantastic with GET. Let us know what you decide and how it sounds, please. Happy hunting.

Cheers,

T Cobe

Welcome to the mad house gth141a,
What a blessed man you are to have such an understanding wife!!!!
You obviously have done a lot of good homework and are REALLY on the right track to build a super great sounding system!!!!!
And the key to your success will be the GEt speakers, whichever ones you choose will be great!!!!!
T Cobe gives good advice here.
I have the Triton 2s and love them!!!!! But I also have a FF5 sub too. Can't get too much bass, ha ha.
The T 5s and a FF4 may be just the most wonderful ticket for you.
As to integrated amps, is see the Vincent SV 237 on your list and I am shocked that you are that well clued up!!!!!
I am running Vincent hybrid amps, tubes with solid state for Lovely Wonderful sound AND power! That integrated amp is new to me, but the successor to the 236 which everyone was crazy about, the 237 should be even better. It runs the first 10 wpc in pure Class A, which is most of the time. This means that things can get a bit warm in your room, but the sound is DELICIOUS!!!!!!
It is not the prettiest looking integrated amp to me, but that tube showing through the front port hole will look great when you dim the lights and listen to music, most importantly it will sound incredible!!!!!
Just one man's opinion.
Have fun getting the best sound you can for your hard earned money!
And whatever you get, please check back with us and let us know, report on how it sounds, PLEASE.
You are gonna have a winner, Happy Listening,
God Bless,
Wayne

:
Now Shipping !!Halo Integrated 2.1 Channel Integrated Amplifier

Year after year Parasound Halo preamplifiers and power amplifiers have been rated the best high end audio for the money. Several years ago we challenged ourselves to create a no-compromise integrated amp that would match the performance of our Halo separates in every respect. We call it the Halo Integrated Amplifier.
Click here to see how the Halo Integrated stacks up to the competition.

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Halo IntegratedFeaturesSpecificationsDownloadsReviewsPhotos



Preamp and DAC Features


• Latest generation ESS Sabre32 Reference DAC (ES9018K2M)
• Asynchronous USB 2.0 supports PCM up to 384kHz/32-bit
• USB input decodes Native DSD64, DSD128, DSD256 and DoP DSD
• Windows USB drivers for ASIO & WASAPI - install instructions here
• Mac OS does not require any drivers
• Coax and optical accept PCM up to 192kHz/24-bit
• Analog bass management with high & low pass crossovers
• Home theater bypass input for surround sound integration
• Front panel subwoofer level control
• Dedicated high current headphone amplifier (TI TPA6120)
• Phono for MM & MC with 100 Ω or 47k Ω load
• Front panel Aux input with automatic +12 dB gain stage
• 5 pairs RCA line level Analog inputs
• 1 pair XLR balanced Analog input
• Balanced XLR and RCA left and right preamp outputs
• 1 balanced XLR and 2 RCA subwoofer outputs
• Bass & treble controls with relay bypass from remote or front panel
• Rear panel IR input and IR loop output jacks
• 12 Volt input and output to triggers
• Back-lit remote control with discrete buttons
• 0.5w standby power consumption meets Energy Star & EU specs
Power Amp Features


• 160 Watts x 2 @ 8 Ohms (RMS, both channels driven)
• 240 Watts x 2 @ 4 Ohms (RMS, both channels driven)
• Power amp circuit topology designed by legendary John Curl
• Direct amplifier input to bypass preamp section
• High bias class A/AB operation
• Oversized shielded toroid power transformer
• Dual-mono power supply and power amplifier
• 40,000uF power supply filter capacitance
• Matched JFET input stages and MOSFET driver stages
• 12 high voltage/high current bipolar output transistors
• Heavy-duty 24k gold-plated 5-way speaker binding posts
• Over temp and short circuit relay protection

$2495.00

Thanks, Anthem. Here's a quick video. Any first hand experience with Parasound? I like the HT bypass option and am considering stepping up to Parasound versus Emotiva.




Cheers,

T Cobe

That looks like a killer integrated, but there was no mention of TOOOOOOOBES!!!!!!
If anybody gets this, please tell us how it sounds?
Looks easy to integrate into a home theater setup.
SWEET.
God Bless,
Wayne