Amp recommendations for Revel Salon2

I have Salon 2s too. All of your amp choices are of such high quality and so high power I'd bet you'd be hard-pressed to hear any differences. But if you want to be discerning anyway...

For complex multi-driver systems like the Salon 2s I tend to prefer amps that are a good voltage source, just because the loads of the drivers and complex crossovers tend be demanding. The AR amp is not specified to do well into low impedance loads, though with 450w/ch how bad could it be? Still, I'd pass on the AR.

I've always found McIntosh amps to be weird animals, because they add a lot of cost and weight in those output autoformers, and I prefer the money gets spent on the power supply & output amplification stage for high current, but that's just me. I also don't care much for McIntosh styling, but that's pure personal preference, of course.

The Halo is a nice amp, and claims better low impedance performance. Parasound is a good company, but I don't like the overseas manufacturing in such premium products.

The Classe amps are nice too. Of your list I'd probably choose one of the Classes.

If you can afford it, the new Krell 302e looks very interesting. As usual for Krell, it's claimed to be a constant voltage source down to 2 ohms, and it's a new design, so the standby power is only 2w. At 600w/ch into 4 ohms (and likely more, knowing Krell) it has a ridiculous amount of power. It'll probably last forever too, just like the McIntosh. I've always admired Krells.

I also like the Levinson amps (that's what I run). Another constant voltage choice. Very innovative designs, and perhaps a better value than the Krells, especially if you stay with the lower wattage models. My experience with Levinson service leaves a bit to be desired, but that was on a CD player, and their amps are well known to be absolutely reliable.

I've heard them with both McIntosh SACD/tube pre/MC501's and Ayre's top of the line.

The McIntosh was warm and musical, but more of a 20th-row seat perspective, where I like a bit more forward sound. I was also a little surprised how easy it was to peg the meters on the MC501's - these speakers do like some power. Still this was in a rather big very damped room, so real-world this might be a very nice combination.

The Ayre's didn't impress me too much. The combination had a more forward perspective - just the way I like it really, but the system didn't push my buttons at all. To me, it seemed to lack warmth and transparency, despite reviews listing these as major strengths. It goes to show we all hear differently I guess.

I heard the same components driving the Wilson Sasha W/P on another occasion and liked them even less with the Wilsons(but for the same reasons). YMMV of course.

I would have been tempted to try the JC1's next, and perhaps give a longer listen to the McIntoshes.

The Salon2's are terrific speakers - you should be able to get amazing sound out of them.

Irv -

Thanks for your thoughts.

I would definitely consider ML but I've heard and read of concerns with reliability and support recently - including amps. Glad your amp(s) has/have been reliable. Which model(s) do you have?

I've heard of very positive comments on the AR DSI 450. A former owner of Salon2s changed his Ayre mono blocks to this particular amp and was extremely impressed with the outcome. Very much supports Auxetophone's comment on the Ayre with the Salon's.

Thanks!
Mike

Auxetophone -

Thanks for your comments. I did hear the Salon's with the Ayre at my dealer. The entire setup was Ayre - CD/Pre/Amp. The Salon's sounded better than they do with my Anthem - more detail and more bottom. However, they did not have enough "juice" to drive them to reasonable loud levels (not suggesting ear shattering).

Thanks,
Mike

Irvrobinson,
You should really listen to an Autoformer coupled McIntosh before you adopt the belief that Autoformers are a waste of weight and money.