I have a Squeezebox Touch driving a Rega DAC driving the Creek 5350SE driving Paradigm Studio 100v3 speakers.
The Creek is getting a bit long in the tooth, its selector switch has trouble making reliable connection to both channels, and I feel my speakers need higher current and a higher damping factor to really control the bottom end as I would like.
I would like suggestions as to where I could go from here for amplification. My options among integrated amplifiers are limited if I want to make a big improvement to my drive capability. Since I like the Creek sound, the Destiny 2 may be an option, but it is only marginally more powerful than what I have now. Any of the lower-end Naim integrated amplifiers (5i, XS) seem too low-powered given my speakers, otherwise I'd consider them. The Rega Elicit at 80wpc seems like it could be a bit of a sideways move in power and performance.
When it comes to high output capability among integrated amplifiers in my <=$3k range, there don't seem to be many offered. NAD's C 375BEE comes to mind as meeting my higher drive capability. Another low cost alternative is the Anthem 225 integrated. I might even consider the Primare IA32 which is a radical departure from the Creek, but its power and accuracy might be what I need in my system.
Beyond that, I could consider lower cost separates from Paradigm or even Emotiva.
Other ideas and opinions would be most welcome!
I have a Squeezebox Touch driving a Rega DAC driving the Creek 5350SE driving Paradigm Studio 100v3 speakers.
The Creek is getting a bit long in the tooth, its selector switch has trouble making reliable connection to both channels, and I feel my speakers need higher current and a higher damping factor to really control the bottom end as I would like.
I would like suggestions as to where I could go from here for amplification. My options among integrated amplifiers are limited if I want to make a big improvement to my drive capability. Since I like the Creek sound, the Destiny 2 may be an option, but it is only marginally more powerful than what I have now. Any of the lower-end Naim integrated amplifiers (5i, XS) seem too low-powered given my speakers, otherwise I'd consider them. The Rega Elicit at 80wpc seems like it could be a bit of a sideways move in power and performance.
When it comes to high output capability among integrated amplifiers in my <=$3k range, there don't seem to be many offered. NAD's C 375BEE comes to mind as meeting my higher drive capability. Another low cost alternative is the Anthem 225 integrated. I might even consider the Primare IA32 which is a radical departure from the Creek, but its power and accuracy might be what I need in my system.
Beyond that, I could consider lower cost separates from Paradigm or even Emotiva.
Other ideas and opinions would be most welcome!