Eager to start listening anew

[Old Guy]

Hi:

I'm a new member, starting to get into real audio once again.

My first venture into what was then "stereo" back in the 1950's when I purchased a Scott amplifier and some speakers whose names I don't recall.

I stepped in again, but this time with equipment I was told would provide better listening: Thiel floor standing speakers, Bryson amp, Spectral preamp and Linn Sondek turntable. Loved the system.

But, later, family and "decorating" needs stepped in and it was "suggested" that having large speakers in our living room was not really viable. So, bye-bye stereo system and hello iPods and earphones, which turned out ok.

Now, I've decided to tiptoe back in, not in the larger way I did before, but just a little. Where the Thiels once stood, there will now be soon-to-arrive ML Motion 20is. And I'm looking for an integrated amp that has sufficient power to make the 20i speakers sound good (need not be perfect), has Bluetooth, is Wireless ready, has room for a subwoofer if I feel I need one and has potential input for a turntable.

I'm not a techie and never really got interested in learning about or becoming expert at the technical stuff that audiophile sites are all about. I will never want to listen so carefully that I would find it necessary to acquire a new amp or new speaker in order to gain a tiny bit of audio advantage. That's not me.

What I want to do is sit in my living room, light up the fireplace, turn down the lights and listen to my kind of music: Jazz (mostly vocal, like Ella. Carmen, Billie, Irene Kral, Ellington, etc); reggae (Chronixx, Steel Pulse, Shaggy, etc.), Broadway (Sondheim, etc), Country-Western. Just want great, smooth sound and a real sound stage. Don't want to spend a fortune.

If any of you can suggest an integrated amp that would qualify as a good or, better yet, great match for my new soon-to-be received speakers, I'd very much appreciate hearing from you. To date, I've received the following suggestions: Denon PMA-600NE; Marantz M1 (do-able, but costing more than I want to spend); Nad C368 BluOS-2i (recommended as wonderful, but more than I'd prefer spending). That's it. I'm flying blind here, but would love some recommendations. My comfort level: $500-$750.

Thanks. I look forward to my membership here.

 

[Jazzman53]

From one old guy to another;

Welcome to the ML Forum!

Sorry, I don't have an integrated amp recommendation, I just wanted to welcome you here.

Charlie in Savannah, GA

 

[Brad225]

Welcome to the group Old Guy from another old guy.
I had a Scott in my early years also.

 

[Steelhead]

Welcome from a fellow old guy.

I have no clue on a integrated that meets your requirements. I had a old Fisher 500C rebuilt driving modded Klipsch LaScala's in a second system and loved that setup but had to move the second system based on the dreaded WAF as the LaScala's dominated the upstairs room I had them in. Loved that combo.

Good luck and hope you find an integrated that meets all your requirements.

 

[amey01]

Welcome! Great to hear from you.

 

[Kermie]

Welcome and have fun here. There is a lot to learn.

 

[Cowpunk]

Welcome to the forum. With that price range, I'd be looking at used amps on Ebay or US Audio Mart. I think you're going to want over 50 watts of power(solid state) for these speakers. Just make sure the Ebay seller has at least 98% positive feedback and a lot of previous sales.

 

[Jeff Zaret]

Welcome to the Old Guy group.

 

[pjr300]

Maybe someone could help and provide some real-world experience on the type of amp (e.g., current, power, tonality) that works best with the ML Motion 20i. I've never owned them, but I am sure they are easier to drive than the electrostatic-paneled models.

 

[amey01]

Maybe someone could help and provide some real-world experience on the type of amp (e.g., current, power, tonality) that works best with the ML Motion 20i. I've never owned them, but I am sure they are easier to drive than the electrostatic-paneled models.

There is no best. If there were a best, then it would be a known quantity, a given; and there would be no argument or need to even ask the question.

The best is what sounds best for you, so listen to many.

Some people might be more sensitive to midrange distortion and happy to sacrifice an amplifier that has poorly controlled bass, others might be more sensitive to compression at higher volume levels, but happy to sacrifice for an amplifier that may have a hard edge to it. I'm just making this up for an example.

Someone says "you gotta get this" and you don't like it - then what? Listen for yourself!!

 

[Cowpunk]

I would guess, based on the music you like, that the Arcam SA20 would be a good match for you. I have experience with the Arcam SA10 and the JBL SA750 which is basically an Arcam SA30. I am currently using the SA750 as a preamp with my ML XT F100s. There is a used SA20 on Ebay now for $527. Add a streamer and you will have smoother class A type sound than the ones you are looking at IMO. But with the NAD you would probably be able to crank the volume higher undistorted.