[narkleptic]

Well,

I may have about had it with dealing with vintage gear in what is now my only system.

Currently I run Songtowers with a Kyocera B-910 amp (something like 150 conservative watts into 8ohms--the thing weights 60lbs), C-910 preamp, and an MHDT Paradisea +, being fed my a mac mini server. (I also have the T-910 tuner, and DA-910 cd player, the latter mostly for show).

I'm thinking about just replacing all that admittedly rare gear with something that I know will work every single time.

I like the idea of the Nova, with its all-in-one simplicity. The iNova appeals even more: upgraded DAC and internal components. I don't really care about the integrated ipod dock though.

In most of the reviews I've read of the Nova, the amp is characterized as the "weak link." not necessarily terrible, but not as good as the outstanding DAC and quite lovely preamp sections.

The iNova does upgrade the amp components, but the power output is the same: 80 watts into 6ohms, so definitely less than what I've got now.

Do you guys think that will be enough? I can always run the iNova with an outboard amp, but I'm trying to keep cost and size down.

Thanks!

[vermont99]

If I am correct that iNova is about $1800 for that money I would look at Emotiva.com maybe a UMC-1 Per-amp $699 and a UMC-2 two channel amp 125 watt @ 8 ohms  and 184 @ 4 ohms on sale for $349 with free shipping 30 day return and 5 year warranty. I have the UMC-1 and love it. Just a idea.

[narkleptic]

I have thought about new emotiva units, though I only need the 2 channel pre-amp. If I went went that route I might go with the UPA monoblocks. I like the idea of a fully-matched system with their DAC.

I am also considering Odyssey, maybe some Khartego monoblocks and a tube pre-amp.

And of course, there's AVA. From everything I've heard, there's great synergy with AVA and Salk. I just sort of wish the gear looked a little....nicer. (I know I know, the proletarian aesthetic is what keeps it reasonable....)

[Nuance]

Out of the ones you mentioned, narkleptic, I'd go with the Odyssey gear.

I am sure the Peachtree is nice, but 80 watts into 6 ohms...?  I wouldn't do it, but YMMV.

[kingdeezie]

I would stay away from the Emo gear. It is perfectly sufficient for HT, but is severely lacking for any type of music playback where detail, transparency, and micro-dynamic subtly is paramount.

I had a pair of Odyssey Kismets that were pretty good; they make pretty good stuff, but are only slightly better looking than the van alstine equipment depending on what type of face plate you get into.

If you want to stick with integrateds, I would look somewhere other then Peachtree. The Nova is a good jack of all trades, but I feel sacrifices in the amp section pretty greatly.

I am not familiar with the Songtowers, but generally speaking, I think the Salk offerings are slightly inefficient; so you would want some power there.

Rogue Audio seems to be highly regarded. The Tempest Magnum integrated has 90 watts per channel, and should be pretty excellent and in your budget used.

If you would rather have some solid state amplification, but maintain a tube preamplifier there are some good budget options around.

You could get a new Mapletree Audio Line stage for starters for tube pre-amplification that would do pretty well for you.

Just some suggestions.     

[Nels Ferre]

Well,

I may have about had it with dealing with vintage gear in what is now my only system.

Currently I run Songtowers with a Kyocera B-910 amp (something like 150 conservative watts into 8ohms--the thing weights 60lbs), C-910 preamp, and an MHDT Paradisea +, being fed my a mac mini server. (I also have the T-910 tuner, and DA-910 cd player, the latter mostly for show).

I'm thinking about just replacing all that admittedly rare gear with something that I know will work every single time.

I like the idea of the Nova, with its all-in-one simplicity. The iNova appeals even more: upgraded DAC and internal components. I don't really care about the integrated ipod dock though.

In most of the reviews I've read of the Nova, the amp is characterized as the "weak link." not necessarily terrible, but not as good as the outstanding DAC and quite lovely preamp sections.

The iNova does upgrade the amp components, but the power output is the same: 80 watts into 6ohms, so definitely less than what I've got now.

Do you guys think that will be enough? I can always run the iNova with an outboard amp, but I'm trying to keep cost and size down.

Thanks!

Hi,

I know its not enough, at least for me and I'm not a headbanger by any stretch if the imagination.

I had one here, and tried to use it as an integrated with the Songtowers and it just didn't get it.

Keep in mind, I've had success with all kinds of amps, even some that shouldn't work (Manley Mahi monoblocks 18 WPC in  triode mode) plus another 15WPC push pull tube amp- they did great. So I was surprised when the Nova as an integrated didn't play well with the SongTowers.

The Nova does very well as a preamp/DAC though. I ran it with a JoLida JD1501P power amp ($695 100WPC into 8 Ohms) and it did very well indeed. JoLida doesn't publish a 4 ohm rating, so I don't know exactly what I had at my disposal, but would guess around 150  a side.

Running it with a tube amp again (KT88 tube based integrated amp rated at 40 WPC) and the Songtowers are again singing.

Of course YMMV, but at $1795, I'd look at the regular Nova/Jolida combo instead. If you want to know what I'm running now (can be had for $1995 and smokes the Nova) contact me by PM.

[narkleptic]

I have another thought, which is to keep my monster amp, but then use the peachtree nova as a pre/dac.

[pardales]

I have another thought, which is to keep my monster amp, but then use the peachtree nova as a pre/dac.

Many seem to think that the Nova's strengths are exactly this application: as a DAC/PRE. As a standalone unit I think it would underwhelm you with the Salks.

[irishsammy]

I run a Decco2 as a DAC/pre into a Parasound 275 power amp with ST's currently and it is probably the best pre and DAC I've used to date. 

But I have hooked the ST's to the D2 directly and I was actually quite impressed with the sound of the modest 40wpc amps inside.  They don't have the smoothness or the nuance of the Parasound but if I was forced to live with the D2 alone as an integrated, I wouldn't consider myself slummin' it by any stretch.  If the Nova has the extra brawn they say it does, I could see a person being more than happy with it and sound-wise it might end up being a wash sonically when compared to all but the most decked-out power amps.

Just my 2 pennies.   

[Nuance]

I have another thought, which is to keep my monster amp, but then use the peachtree nova as a pre/dac.

Try it and let us know what you think.  I reckon it'll sound pretty awesome.