[Best Integrated amps for original Fortes]

10 hours ago, TubeHiFiNut said:

If you can spend up to $2K (I believe I read is what you said) check out the new Quicksilver Integrated. Four EL84 tubes per channel.

I was looking at spending around $2000 for everything, int amp, plus the cd, dac, wifi, BT, etc. but people keep pointing me to really cool stuff that cost more.

 

Right now the Marantz PM8006 (or 7005) and ND8006 look like they do everything I want in my prices range. Wish they were silver:(

 

But, seriously, it's not that I can't afford to spend more.

 

Question, if I got the Quicksilver or the Parasound amps what would I hook up to them? I.e. still need the CD/dac/wifi & BT.

 

At least I know what my speakers are...

[Best Integrated amps for original Fortes]

13 minutes ago, Rivernuggets said:

This Parasound Halo Integrated has more bells and whistles than you want but the styling is excellent

It looks pretty good actually. Don't think it has too many bells and whistles. Little bit out of my price range. It's not that i couldn't afford it, but I have to balance cost versus use. Even though I will retire soon I doubt I'll sit around all day listening to and agonizing about my stereo.

[Best Integrated amps for original Fortes]

6 minutes ago, kadini said:

I am getting my wife a good FM/AM music player so he SHE can listen to the radio without being intimidated

Whoops. Not that I would care about or judge others.

 

2 hours ago, willland said:

Maybe to him but not to me.  We all have different ears so I get it.  I have driven Fortes, Heresys, Quartets, RF-63's, RB-5's, RB-35's, all with NAD and loved the combinations.

My speaker guy said there was nothing wrong with NAD. But he felt the current offerings wouldn't drive the Fortes as well as say Marantz, Yamaha or Onkyo. And, again, I read a couple of reviews that seemed to corroborate what he was saying.

 

Again, I really like the C 338. It looks really cool and is really affordable. Has anybody hooked that particular NAD up to Fortes, Heresys, whatever?

[Best Integrated amps for original Fortes]

3 hours ago, Audio Flynn said:

Are you using a sub with your Fortes?

No sub. Just want 2 channel stereo. I have never used more than 2 channels on my Carver AV receiver and bass has never been an issue. In fact, if the Fortes have a true strength it is for sure in that area.

 

10 hours ago, Bubo said:

pick up a used totl yamaha avr for not much money, AB amp, and run it in direct mode using the onboard DAC est 120db sn ratio.

 

3 hours ago, Audio Flynn said:

If you don't need a remote there are excellent sounding vintage receivers / integrated amps out there. That Marantz ND8006 has variable RCA outs so volume can be controlled there while using a vintage piece.

I have been happy with my Carver HR-895 AV but in truth I liked the plain old Carver 900 receiver that proceeded it better. It was simple, just 2 channels and all I needed. If I had it to do over I would have just kept the 900. That said I don't want another receiver. I have had my speakers, CD player and turntable for 32 years. I'm 66. Do the math, I may never ever buy another component. The speaker guy recommended an Onkyo receiver. But I want something that looks cool, is only 2 channels, and has more snob appeal. I want something new with a warranty also. I know there's some really awesome used stuff out there but you never know what you're getting. Probably others know better than I. I really can't audition what I buy before I bring it home so I am reading as much as I can and seeking advice where I can find it.

 

Oh, as an aside, the stereo is mine, but I am getting my wife a good FM/AM music player so he can listen to the radio without being intimidated by all the bells and whistles. Yamaha TSX-B72 looks pretty good. Any suggestions? Want a single unit, not a receiver with separate speakers.

 

Thank you very much for your comments.

[Best Integrated amps for original Fortes]

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I adamantly believe that modern day amplifiers which are operating w/in their design limits that are indistinguishable from one another in terms of sound quality.

I went and read the Richard Clark Amp Challenge. Wow, if I wasn't confused enough. That is a lot to digest. Regardless, it's still safe to assume more powerful amps will generally sound better than less powerful ones? I understand the Fortes don't take a lot of power but my living room is fairly large and open to the rest of the house away from the stereo end. The Marantz PM8006 would be better than than the PM5005 or PM6006?

 

9 hours ago, ODS123 said:

I recommend tone controls because very few recordings are perfect.

I think all my choices have tone controls without looking.

 

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I suggest that a Mono switch is equally indispensable.

Most of my listening is 60s-70s rock and Classical. At least that's my CD collection. I lost my records when the house burned down in 1986 (insurance money made buying the Fortes doable). But over the years I have acquired a large collection of vinyl. Not sure how. But someday I'll hook up my turntable and listen to some of them. Don't think I actually have an monaural recordings though.

 

Thank you for your inputs ODS123.

 

 

[Best Integrated amps for original Fortes]

Apologies for not introducing myself as a newbie. But I guess the forum software took care of that...

 

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If you look at my gear list below, you will see I like things to match, both visually and audibly.  With that said, my first choice would be the the Marantz.

Matched components has it's appeal. A quick comment about the Marantz ND8006. I kept getting confused with streaming devices, wifi, Bluetooth, DACs, and some of them are pre amps to boot. So the ND8006 simplified the decision tree plus eliminates the need for a separate CD player. (But, sigh, do I really even need a CD player? It's all so confusing.) Marantz has always been on my wish list too.

 

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I am sure you have your reasons but my experience with these brands has been wonderful.

I was, am, really attracted to the NAD C 338. Plus it has the DAC, wifi and Bluetooth. All I would need is a CD player then. But my speaker guy said it wasn't a good match for the Fortes, and his comments seemed to jive with reviews I read about it. (I haven't bought anything yet). I really like the Canbridge Audio offerings too, but they seem to have reliability issues. If that's wrong I'd sure love to hear about it.

 

Thanks for your comments Willland.

 

 

[Best Integrated amps for original Fortes]

I have a 32 year old pair of original Fortes. Even though they seem to work fine I took them to a shop to have them checked over. The guy found some minor things wrong and I expect to get them back in pristine condition soon for way less than new speakers would cost. At the shop's recommendation I am not doing any of the tweeter diaphragm or cross over "upgrades" that are floating around out there.

 

Meanwhile my Carver HR-895 receiver is making static out of the right channel and rather then fix it I thought I'd buy some new stuff. Going to replace my Carver CD player too.

 

So, golly, it's a brave new world out there. Lots of new things available and very confusing.

 

I have decided to go with a 2 channel integrated amp. Thinking I'll hook one up to the new Marantz ND8006 CD and network player since it does everything. Then don't have to worry about CDs, DACs, Bluetooth or wifi, it's all covered. (And which simplifies the amp search.) I can live without a tuner given all the other options there are now.

 

So looking at 3 int amps each is around $1000 those being the

Rega Elex R

Naim 5si

Marantz PM8006

 

None the less very interested in knowing if those 3 amps are a good match for the Fortes. Also welcome any information about personal experiences, good and bad.

 

And, open to suggestions on other solutions. Willing to spend up to $2000 or thereabouts. I have pretty much eliminated NAD and Cambridge Audio for various reasons.

 

Whatever help you can offer is greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks.