[macrojack]

I have just commissioned Bill Woods to design passive crossovers for my speakers. That is the first part of my master plan which will move me toward many fewer pieces of equipment and, hopefully, a much smaller overall investment.

My speakers are a hybrid design utilizing Acoustic Horn Company AH300 conical wooden horn with B&C DCX 50 coaxial compression drivers and a 15 inch woofer in a 5 cu.ft. ported cabinet. Overall impedance will remain above 5 ohms at all times and average at least 8 ohms. Guessing, I would put efficiency in the high 90s. Currently, it is an active bi-amp set-up and I'm ready to give up flexibility and perhaps, if necessary,  fidelity to make the system simpler and less costly.

I'm not sure the above info is critical to your opinions but I notice people often ask for that info before making amplifier suggestions. And that's what I am seeking -- amp suggestions.

So here are my requirements and preferences: Prefer an integrated with at least 4 inputs, integrated phono, remote control and low cost. 30 watts per channel should suffice. Compactness and cool running of Class D would be nice. On board DAC would be nice. USB input would be nicer.

If there is no integrated that meets all of the above, I could go with a preamp that does since I have a Rawson Aleph J mini clone that might be ideal power.

Please keep in mind that the speakers are exceptionally dynamic and ultra high rez. Clean, quiet, articulate power is the goal, along with whatever level of frugality I can get away with. I prefer to buy used or on accommodation as my program is not set up to absorb depreciation.
Suggest ANYTHING that you think will work. I've got a few weeks (at least) to research this project. Is there a major sleeper out there? Pioneer or Onkyo? Two channel only!!

[JLM]

How about the Rega Brio-R (50 beefy wpc, 5 inputs including mm phono, remote) from the Apple Circle ($6k system thread) thanks to Jeff Dorgay:

http://www.tonepublications.com/spotlight/

Don't know if there's synergy with your speakers.

As was pointed out in the above thread, with all the advancements lately it would be ill advised to not go with a separate DAC.

[macrojack]

Thanks for the Rega Brio suggestion - it's a possibility I didn't know about.
I'll check it out.

My speakers should work just fine with anything from 15 to 500 watts. Mosfet was offered as a guideline; I'm not sure why.

[jtwrace]

What amp does Bill Woods use or recommend?

[macrojack]

Bill is the one who suggested mosfet. He owns a T-amp and an old Leak tube amp. And some hybrid built for him by an engineer he knows from his days at Yorkville. He approaches audio differently than most of us. He's an eccentric old hippie who reminds me of Nelson Pass. Bill doesn't know Nelson but he did recommend First Watt to me. Then again, Bill only has one speaker in his living room. He likes mono.

 

[jtwrace]

Out of curiosity, do you know what brand parts Bill will be using for the crossovers?

[macrojack]

No. I didn't ask.

What integrated would you suggest I use?

[jtwrace]

No. I didn't ask.

What integrated would you suggest I use?

Price range?

[Blackmore]

If you could stretch to $1700 DIY Hifi Supply has the Fusion3.  My buddy ScottF reviewed it and I've heard it in his house.  50 watt chip amp, 24/192 USB input (pc only, no Mac-damn) I really enjoyed hearing it and using flac files that were converted to 24 bit depth made that little amp sing.  Really very good in his system. 

[poseidonsvoice]

Check out the Fusion 3, it may be right up your alley.

The Fusion³ contains:
Cleo 24bit/192khz USB DAC with Ultimate clock and discrete linear power supply (check here to find out all the goodness of Cleo)
Ultimate Volume Control and selector with remote control
UTS tube stage driving:
Fusion power multiplier amplifier modules for 50 watts out, 8ohms (80watts 4 ohms, 25watts 16ohms)
End to end music in a small footprint

Chassis is 70 x 300 x 320mm and weighs 10kg

4 RCA inputs + USB input, remote control selectable
2 pairs speaker binding posts
all premium grade parts
extreme short signal path for good sound and low noise

Hope that helps.

Anand.

[jtwrace]

http://www.wrightaudio.us/royale_se.htm

[WC]

http://store.virtueaudio.com/product-p/vrtu-ia-ssm901-pbf-1.htm

This has most of what you are looking for except it only has 3 RCA inputs instead of 4.

[HT cOz]

I think the soon to be released Modwright integrated looks interesting. I would love to own one.