Best Integrated Stereo Amplifier (and DAC?) for Bowers & Wilkins speakers DM 603 s3

I want to play my digital music [stored on a hard drive and played on my MAC] through a Sonos receiver powered into a DAC and then plugged into a powerful Integrated stereo amplifier that can drive well the B&Ws. The music I listen is classic rock (Deep Purple, Led Zep, Dire Straits), Jazz, Easy listening e.t.c....

My living room is quite large at about 45 square meters. The budget I am considering is about $1,000 (can up it to $2000 if the difference in sound quality is really worth that incremental spend).

Two questions on my mind are:
1. Is it worth the investment to buy a DAC or should I just spend the $s on the Integrated stereo amplifier?
2. Given the large space and speaker specifications, what brand/ model should I go for?

One of the options I am considering is Emotiva XPA-200 along with Emotiva XDA-2. Online reviews of Emotiva. however, are quite extreme both ways. I am based in India and will need to buy the Amp and DAC from either the US or UK. Given that I will not be able to demo the configuration unfortunately. Will have to just go with feedback and hope it sound well. Any suggestion is highly appreciated

Thank you.

July 3, 2014 - 10:30am

bierfeldt

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Joined: Oct 26 2007 - 2:30pm

That is a big room

Given that, power is a bit more of a concern than typically. Peachtree delivers a fair amount of power and still sounds darn good. Same thing with NAD. If you can push your total budget to $2000' I would look at the NAD 375BEE or the Peachtree Nova 125SE. They are both $1499. The NAD is 150w while the Peachtree is 125w. Both sound great and would pair well with those B&Ws. With either, I would get a Peachtree DAC iTx. It is $399 and you would be shocked at how much of an improvement that outboard DAC will make in sound quality.

I have not heard Emotiva. You could consider the Parasound Halo P5 with a Marantz MM7025 if you want separates. The review in Stereophile says it is outstanding. Even the onboard DAC is supposed to be good. I have not heard the P5 yet though I was a big fan of it's predecessor the P3. In the long run, you could still add the Peachtree DAC.

That is three options. I personally would go with the NAD and a Peachtree DAC iTx. It think that is the best combo but I am sure others will have a POV.

July 8, 2014 - 4:53am

calvinthebold

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Joined: Jul 2 2014 - 2:44pm

Many thanks bierfeldt ...

... for your detailed response. Another option that has surfaced is the Jeff Rowland 102 amplifier. Any views on that please?

Your help is much appreciated

Cheers

July 8, 2014 - 7:55am

bierfeldt

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Joined: Oct 26 2007 - 2:30pm

I am not familiar with the Jeff Rowland 102

Someone else may have an opinion though

August 5, 2014 - 4:57pm

Slickster

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Joined: Aug 5 2014 - 4:33pm

Almost the same configuration

Hi, I am also new to the form

I purchased last year, BW CM 10 and the Peachtree Nova 125. It sounds amazing. I am pulling music from my MAC and/or Sonos. I decided on the peachtree over a few different options. I decided on the Peachtee primarily because of the built in Saber DAC. It also has a tube pre amp. I liked the all in-one. No need for an external DAC.

Not to influence, LOL

January 25, 2015 - 1:22pm

steve59

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Joined: Jan 2 2015 - 6:46am

Calvin, inquiring minds want

Calvin, inquiring minds want to know, what did you get?

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