[srb]

Rogue also fits the bill.  American made and solid.  The Sphinx is their cheapest integrated: tube preamp section and class D power section, $1300 without remote.  It should make for a very tasty mating to the Concertinos.

There is a Sphinx in the trading post for $900.  I will research that as well as it seems that it would satisfy my needs aside form the DAC.

When I posted about the used Sphinx, I had read a number of favorable reviews as well as some discussion in another forum from a guy who had paired it with Sonus Faber Concertinos (or Concertos?).

But it was pooh-poohed by another member who had heard a friend's unit with different speakers.

One thing I do know is that if you take the leap of faith and are able to find a mint used component sold by a good guy (or gal) who will pack it properly, and for some reason you don't hear the synergy, you will be able to resell and get your money back and replace it with something else.  If you buy new and have to sell, you will lose money.

Steve

[Odal3]

This is the BEST thread title I have seen in a while!! 

I hear you - it's a bit overwhelming. You have already received many good recommendations so I will not add to the "confusion". Instead, here's a tip of how I started to read the forum: Browse around the different circles and read what's interesting - especially look at the longer threads which indicates passion in one way or another. Instead of reading the whole thread from start from finish, you can normally pick up the the main ideas from the first few pages. So read them first and then skip to the end and read the latest. If still interesting read the whole thing when you're ready to click through the hundreds of posts.

The other trick is to find a couple of other posters with ideas and tastes that fits with yours that you can learn from.

Best of luck!

[MaxCast]

Odyssey!
Klaus knows good sound. 
Check the posts from Rocky Mountain Audio Fest here in the circles.
Salk makes some awesome speakers too.

Take your time to read and get the jist.

You never did say where you are from??  Audio shows are every where.

[gnostalgick]

Hi,

   I haven't personally heard enough products to make any recommendations specific to your set-up--but having recently upgraded from a NAD receiver to a pair of small SS monoblocks & separate dac, I feel like I can safely say that you may not know what your speakers are even capable of yet (potentially to even a greater degree should you choose to get new speakers).

  I ended up purchasing the Dayens Monoblocks after Zero's review of the Ampino & Menuetto.  I wish I could explain why & how amps rated about half the wattage (@ 8ohm & only slightly more @ 4ohm) can sound so much more transparent, present & controlled; I suspect is has to due with the purity of the design; the quality & craftmanship of the build.  As mine seem ridiculously over-powered for 88db speakers in a 13x15 room, the Menuetto could be enough for you.  (The Spark he mentioned might also work--especially in the smaller room--and open up the budget for a better dac). 

   Both have have a volume control, which opens up dac options.  The Menuetto's I believe is passive (often considered the best, especially for budget systems).  I mention this because when I connected my receiver to my new amps, although an overall improvement was audible, I also clearly noticed how poorly implemented the volume control was.  Getting a new dac/pre has really let my amps open up and the speakers shine.  If you don't need hi-res through usb, the original Rega Dac can be found used for ~$500 and is generally well-liked. (It would also visually pair well with the Menuetto & your speakers, if that is at all a concern).

  If all of this feedback is just too much & you'd just like to buy something and be done with it all until your brain settles down, I'll second the Peachtree 220SE.  It was previously mentioned at its current MSRP, but was originally released to rather good reviews at $2000 and is available refurbished for $1200. I only decided against it because it was 'the all-in-one budget option' and I wanted an excuse to play around with different components.

Kirk

[I.Greyhound Fan]

If you are still interested in the Odyssey Cyclops Niles audio makes an input selector box.  I have used their products before and they work well.

http://onecall.com/niles-axp-1-black-fg00002-auxiliary-input-selector

Schiit also makes a 2 input passive selector for $49

Still give thought to the Peachtree Nova 220se.  Its a great sounding integrated and it has a very good DAC.  Should be able to drive just about anything you throw at it.

Happy Hunting

[Firejedi]

  I ended up purchasing the Dayens Monoblocks after Zero's review of the Ampino & Menuetto.  I wish I could explain why & how amps rated about half the wattage (@ 8ohm & only slightly more @ 4ohm) can sound so much more transparent, present & controlled; I suspect is has to due with the purity of the design; the quality & craftmanship of the build.  As mine seem ridiculously over-powered for 88db speakers in a 13x15 room, the Menuetto could be enough for you.  (The Spark he mentioned might also work--especially in the smaller room--and open up the budget for a better dac). 

Kirk

Kirk,

I have been reading about the Dayens, but I have yet to see a place to purchase the mono blocks you mentioned.  Very Audio in NY is the US distributor, and they only show the Ampino and Menuetto.  These both seem like good options, but I am curious about the mono blocks.  My SF Concertinos are also 86db.  The other question I have is when using these types of dedicated amplifiers, are subwoofers not an option? I am too new to understand how you would hook one up in the case of these amps that are designed with jacks for o only 2 speakers on the back.

Where did you get your mono blocks?

[borism]

Firejedi, the Verty audio site mentions the Ampino mono blocks under an * (asterix). They don't seem to state the price so you may have to inquire.

I bought the Ampino stereo version for use with much more sensitive speakers than yours. It is a very nice amplifier.

[Firejedi]

I currently live near Raleigh NC.  I am leaning towards the Odyssey.  Reading about a the Dayens and trying to learn about a good pre-amp/dac to go with the Odyssey. 

[gnostalgick]

Hi,
   I just double checked the Verty website & the monos are listed at $1320 (same price I paid); its on the far right of the Ampino listings, just above some red links to reviews.  It took mine a little less than a month to arrive.  I must admit the the simple, slightly old-fashioned look, small form factor & price per pair were as much factors that influenced my decision as the Dayens reputation for sonics.

  If you'd like a better sense of what they're like than I can articulate, I'd read the Stereo Times & Positive Feedback Online reviews, maybe the Integrated Amplifier Shootout--but definitely the more critical 6moons Ectasy III review (found in the Menuetto section).  The fact that any limitations seemed eminently livable was more reassuring than any unending reiterations about how very good they are.
 
   Of course, I haven't heard anything but praise about the sound of the Odysseys; I'm certain that they are more powerful, balanced & neutral.  However, if I remember correctly, they do require more than a fair share of burn-in & are best left on--always.  (Its possible I'm thinking of a different amplifiers personality, though, as it's been awhile since I researched them.)

  I really don't think you can go too far wrong with any dedicated two-channel set-up--though if you have the funds, I do think you'd appreciate something nicer than the Crown (sorry C&C folks).

Kirk

 

[GentleBender]

Firejedi,

Like you, I was overwhelmed by the options available and ended up here when an audiophile friend of mine recommended checking out Odyssey Audio. After narrowing down my options I ended up talking to Klaus and knew Odyssey was something special where you can call and talk to not a tech, but the man in charge.

I ended up with the Odyssey Cyclops fully upgraded along with the spectacular Suspiro phono stage. This combo made my cheap Polk speakers sound so much better. Everything was cleaner, tight bass and much bigger soundstage. That was my introduction to great equipment that ended up being everything I was looking for and more. Probably would have had a set of Odyssey Lorelei speakers if I hadn't run into a deal on a demo set of Vapor Audio speakers. The Vapor Audio speakers are incredible too. I have no regrets in my choices and hope you feel the same after your search.

Good luck!

[Letitroll98]

Okay, I tried to steer this back on track to cheap and cheerful, but now not even the OP is staying even close to pricing guidelines, so it's going over to Solid State.  I really love this thread as it's full of great info on a subject near and dear to me, reasonably priced amps, pre amps, and integrateds, so I'll be very sorry to see it leave C&C.  There's some discussion as to whether this class of product be part of C&C and thus the pricing guidelines raised.  While I have some sympathy for this viewpoint, I fear the result would be a dilution of the circle leaving what is now the heart of C&C bereft of support, as has occurred in this thread.  And there's plenty of room for this discussion over on Solid State, so although I hate having to move threads, to there it's going.

[mresseguie]

Letitroll98,

I had begun wondering yesterday if this would happen. I accept the prize.

I agree that this is a great thread. I've enjoyed reading the OP's questions, the various answers, and how as  the OP's choices multiplied, he began making better, more enlightened choices for himself. It wasn't too long ago that I found myself in his shoes, so I can readily identify with his journey.

Oh, how I wish more first time posters would follow up like Firejedi has decided to do. There are a bunch of really great people on AC who are chock full of valuable information. Urp! Now I'm cheerleading.

Back to your journey, Firejedi!

[Firejedi]

Hey all,

I just ordered an amp from Odyssey.  It may be a while before it comes as Klaus is a busy man.  I'm also fairly certain that I am going to give the Peachtree DAC-ITx a shot.  They say it plays well with Apple TV which may be a good way to get my music to my system.  If anyone would like to offer advice on that side of things, I'm all ears (or eyes I guess).

Thanks

[Letitroll98]

Good decision, Klaus is a fun guy.  But you should ask him about his lovely assistant who actually does the boards,  its her you're waiting on.  I would advise on buying a DAC with DSD capability.  They can be had for cheap from ifi or Audio gd.  Keep the upgradeitus at bay for as long as possible, even if you don't have any music in that format, you likely will want to in the future.

[Firejedi]

Since you all have been so helpful, I will share that I ordered a Jolida Glass FX Tube DAC today.  It will probably be here well before my amp, but what can you do.

I want to mention that I spoke to someone at length from Jolida today and he was extremely helpful.  Especially since he had to explain just about everything to me.  I wish I had gotten his name, but I don't think he mentioned it.

Now to wait.

Thanks for all your help.  I will be posting around as I move on to the other parts of my system in the future.

[gnostalgick]

  Congrats on the purchases!
  And make sure to post your impressions.

[Firejedi]

So hopefully some of you guys are still following this thread.  I received my Jolida DAC today, got it all hooked up and its playing nicely.  While I can't crank it up since my kids are in bed, I have to admit that I can already hear a difference. 

I am using it as a preamp to my neighbors NAD amp.  Unfortunately, with this setup, there is not way to connect the subwoofer.  As I stated before, I am using Sonus Faber Concertinos which, as many of you know, are monitors and on the smaller side.  So I guess I will need a true pre-amp in order to have a subwoofer connection.  I decided to start a new thread to address this question.

I will wait and see how they sound with some volume tomorrow, but I am pretty sure that I will miss the subwoofer. 

Now to get my self some Blue Jeans cables.