New Integrated Amp

[Yaayuh!]

Hi all, i'm looking for a new Integrated amp and I'm struggling.

My budget is £300-£400 and my requirements are:

-- 2 sets of speakers (usual A/B situation)
-- Pre-out for sub
-- Relatively powerful

Optional extras

-- "Pure" mode, for straight-through stereo listening without sub
-- DAC, to consolidate connections
-- Compact would help, but not really bothered

So far, i have come across the Rotel RA10. Any ideas

 

[Yaayuh!]

If you want to save some money you could look at the Yamaha A-S500 which is a really good amp only problems are it's the size of a breeze block plus the remote isn't the best but works ok, for me it's the Pioneer A-400 of it's day

Ps just don't match with bright speakers

Think it's a clearance line these days so can be picked up pretty cheap

http://i66.tinypic.com/15x7u6b.png[IMG]

[IMG]http://i65.tinypic.com/2rgn7g9.png[IMG][/QUOTE]

I did notice this amp, i can't get over how tall it is and skeptical of Yamaha stuff. I'll looks at some reviews.

The speakers i'll be using are:
Wharfedale 9.1 (80%)
Cerwin Vega VE-8 (20%)

The 9.1s are a bit bright, but if i don't like what i hear, i'll be sending it back anyway.
I currently have a Marantz PM-6010 OSE, which is brilliant with what i have. I also like the PM-6005 but doesn't have a pre-out :(

 

[Yaayuh!]

What's the sub? Make and model please

Wharfedale SW150

I could use the speaker terminals, but this isn't ideal, and i don't want to have to go down that road.

I use my Yamaha A-S500 with a set of classic JPW Sonata's from back in the 80's which can sound a little bright with some recordings manly MP3's but never a problem to my ears but really sings when playing CD's with my ROTEL RCD-965BX CD Player

PS Yamaha over the years have made some great even classic hifi over the years so don't worry about buying

Multiple reviews of the newer version AS501 (which is £200) say that it's a polished version of the AS500. It looks great and the reviews do sing praises. However, most comment of the concentration of mids and highs but lacking/subtle bass, this is my concern. I'll give it a try for sure though!

 

[Yaayuh!]

It's over budget, but I'm tempted to sell my FiiO E-17 and E09K and take a leap at this:

http://www.sevenoakssoundandvision.co.uk/p-12388-nad-c356bee-dac-20-gra.aspx

Would i regret it?