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RE: Decent low-end integrated with XLR's?

Posted by Mike Rubin (A) on May 15, 2016 at 15:26:24

In Reply to: RE: Decent low-end integrated with XLR's? posted by genungo on May 15, 2016 at 15:13:27:

In my main system, I replaced a Musical Fidelity A5 integrated with a Wyred4Sound STI-500 which is Class D. While it's the only Class D I've ever heard, I don't feel that I downgraded sound quality by going from the A5 to the STI-500. The sound is perhaps a bit unnuanced compared to the A5, but this unit has in spades what I found lacking in the A5: amazing rhythmic sense and excellent imaging. So, I don't hate Class D.

It's unfortunate, though, that the audiophile press has virtually no interest in integrateds in the TEAC's price range. Like the veritable slew of similarly-priced Onkyos, Cambridges, Music Halls, Yamahas, Marantzs and the like, this TEAC can't buy itself a review beyond one in Amazon that, frankly, was tough for me to parse. Since I can't hear the thing before I buy it, I'd prefer some guidance from an actual listener to a complete pig in a poke.

I note that the used PS Audio that also is recommended in this thread also is a Class D design. However, it's an older one in a constantly-evolving field. I suspect that newer Class D designs are better, given that a few of them -- NAD and NuPrime to name two -- have gotten pretty good marks from the press in the last year or so.

So, yes, I know what you are saying, but I am taking a chance here in any event. It's not as though I can gain much useful information about the competitive Class A/B designs, so it's a bullet biting exercise in any case.

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