[nigelnaim]

As I get older I have decided to downsize.  Therefore, I am providing my nephew with my Salk Songtowers which I have not listened to much since I purchased the Song3 BeATs.  I just noticed that the Salk site was archived.   If I am not posting this to the appropriate site, I can move it elsewhere.

His old vintage amp recently died and so I plan on purchasing solid state, either a power amp (I can give him a preamp and phono preamp) or an integrated amp.  My budget is under $2000.  He mostly listens to rock and blues.  He has a TT, but no streamer/DAC.

In perusing online reviews and used/ new gear, I have come come up with the list below.  I am looking for recommendations to bring this kid a little audio nirvana.  Any additional suggestions to pair with the Songtowers would be greatly appreciated including DIY.


1. Parasound Halo Hint 6 integrated amplifier - Used, age unknown.  $1,734.77
2. Hegel H160 Stereo Integrated Amplifier - Used, Age unknown. - $1,619.00
3. LSA Discovery Warp One - New, sale $1199.00
4. Topping B200 Monoblock Amplifiers – Pair - Used (“like new”) - $800.00
5. Outlaw Audio RR2160mkII - Used, age unknown. - $700.00


Thanks in advance for any suggestions / recommendations.

[Jeff_From_Michigan]

Frank Van Alstine owned and loved Salk speakers paired with his amps. I'm sure that Mary would be happy to discuss with you which of his amps might work best with those speakers. High performance without the high price tag amps, for sure. You can reach out to her on the Audio by Van Alstine circle.

[nigelnaim]

Thanks.  I own a AVA SET 120 Control Amp.  I have not tried this combo as of yet as I have no plans on giving that away as I listen to it every day.  If I could find one on the used market, I might consider after listening to the combo.

Thanks for the recommendation.

[mick wolfe]

Salk Songtowers are an easy drive for most any amp. I used a VTA ST70 for years in combination with HSU subs. I'd probably lean toward an amp on the warm, musical side of the equation as opposed to the analytical. The field is wide open including tubes with the ST's. Years ago Steve Stone reviewed the Songtowers using a AVA Ultravalve and loved the combination.

[Doublej]

A radical thought, a WiiM Amp Ultra, $529. Built in streaming, room correction, and equalizer.

Less radical would be an AVA CA1 Control (Integrated) Amplifier, $1599.

[Rshorb]

Schiit Vidar. I have a pair driving a pair of Silk Monitors on my desktop setup. Amazing amp in stereo or mono.

[Rocket]

Hi,

Why not upgrade your amplifier to an AVA CA1 Control Amplifier and give him your Set 120.

https://avahifi.com/collections/power-amplifiers/products/ca1-control-amplifier

I've had many Salk sound speakers including in order HT2's, HT3's, Song 3's and the lates Bepure 2 speakers.  All great and respond to the best gear you can find.

Good luck with your decision.

Regards Rod

[nigelnaim]

Hi,

Why not upgrade your amplifier to an AVA CA1 Control Amplifier and give him your Set 120.

https://avahifi.com/collections/power-amplifiers/products/ca1-control-amplifier

I've had many Salk sound speakers including in order HT2's, HT3's, Song 3's and the lates Bepure 2 speakers.  All great and respond to the best gear you can find.

Good luck with your decision.

===================================================================================================
I am a little concerned about the potential that the CA1 is not as warm as the SET 120.  I love the tone of the SET 120.  In a few online reviews, some have mentioned a brightness to the CA1.  I guess since there is a 30-day guarantee, I might want to consider this as a viable option.

Thanks!

Regards Rod

[Rocket]

Hi,

You could reach out to Mary and discuss with her. Might save you some time. I just know that Salk Sound speakers rise to the occasion with every upgrade up the chain.

Good luck.

Regards Rod

ps. I see all of their products and I'd like to buy one of their amps in the future. I already have their phono stage which is great.

[TerryWI]

A Schiit Vidar or something from AVA would be great choices.  An alternative that gets you a very capable integrated with MM Phono, DAC, headphone amp & balanced and/or RCA inputs/outputs is this Schiit Ragnarok integrated currently listed on USAM:  https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650241924-schiit-ragnarok-2-fully-loaded/

[I.Greyhound Fan]

Get the Hegel if money is no object, followed by the  Parasound and then the Van Alstine Control amp.
If you want to save money, go with the Outlaw.

The Hegel and Parasound have built in DACS and plenty of power.

[AllanS]

…this Schiit Ragnarok integrated currently listed on USAM:  https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650241924-schiit-ragnarok-2-fully-loaded/

I have no experience but AVA sounds like a safe bet.  I had and liked a Ragnarok 2 paired with Supercharged SongSurrounds. The listing owner may have paid original list @ $1700 but they blew them out last year for something like $1400 fully loaded.  The Raggy is “only” 60 wpc and an over the top headphone amp.

Has anyone told you what a great uncle you are?

[Bodhi]

A pre-owned Fezz Audio Titania integrated would be a really nice match with those speakers if you can find one. I heard that amp at the Sydney Hifi Show last year & was impressed. Fezz are good value.

[ArthurDent]

For info, have owned 2 of the original RR2150s. On the whole a solid unit, the only real issue I've had and it was with both, is the volume control. Using the remote it usually overshoots the desired increase or decrease. It also has issues with dropping a channel at very low volume. I use one in my bedroom system, and after adjusting the volume manually it rarely gets touched. I gave my other one to a friend who was in need of a receiver for a secondary system. I also had a 990 HT Processor unit of theirs, which was on the whole a solid unit, an I'm using one of their old 'small' LFM-2 subs in my HT. Their customer service is good, and on the whole I'd expect with the 2nd gen of the RR model some of my issues would have been addressed.

Since you already own an AVA unit you know the quality of their gear, I have & use a ton of it in both my main & secondary systems. A friend bought a Hegel unit a while back to simplify his system operation for his wife. They are very happy with the result, and quality of the sound compared to his old component system comprised of an AVA amp & Don Sachs pre. That says something knowing what the old system sounded like.

Good luck in the hunt.

[nigelnaim]

Thanks all!  much appreciated.  I think I have narrowed this down to Hegel and AVA.