2. amps-preamps
  3. 1063054951

Best Amp for my new Speakers?

Hi all,

Need help picking the right amp. Candid feedback is always appreciated.

Background:

Many of you helped decide which speakers to go for a month ago. I found a demo pair of Revel Studio's in mint condition for a once in a lifetime price and that was all it took. I am not going to receive the speakers for about 2 months because I am in the process of moving between 2 homes in dif. states.

When I was at my dealers, I listened to the Pass X600 and the Levinson 432. The Pass seemed bright - may have been the room (I know many people like this combo). The Levinson 432 seemed much more liquid like- I liked the combo, but spent the majority of my cash budget on these speakers. Now I am in a pickle because I cant afford the 432 right now but feel like this may be the right combo.

Here is what I am considering:
1. Levinson 431 (200 watts / channel - concerned may not be enough juice)
2. Roland Model 10 (150 watts/ I have not demoed this combo but have read many favorable reviews / again, is this enough juice?)
3. Proceed HPA2 (A deal on the used market/ how much of a %step down is it from the Levinson 431?)
4. Pass X250-350 (Is it the room or is this really a bight more of a forward sounding combo)
5. Classe CAM 200 or CAM 350 (demo or used/ not sure if this would be a good sonic match?)
6. EAD Powermaster 2000 (800 watts *2 or 200 watts times 5 - power steering or something like that)
6. Other steals/deals that would be a good fit????

Let me know what you think. I have 2 months to find the "right deal at the right price".

Associated gear: EAD 8000 Theatermaster Pre/Pro, Sony SACD xa777es, Pioneer Elite Dvd, Transparent Audio Cables (sold my old Levinson No. 27 - I was certain not enough juice even though I loved the sound of this amp)

Thanks,

Jtee
jtee
muralman1
1,527 posts
 
Bigkidz, I xeox that.
jtee OP
13 posts
 
Thorman,
The answer from my dealer is the Levinson 432 (400 watts/channel)- More than I want to spend right now.

Pootie,
Will the 150 watt Rowland 10 be enough juice for say a 15 ft by 20 ft room? I know the gear sounds nice.

Bigkidz,
I am not that familiar with the Pass gear. It appears to be well built and have a strong following - I like the way it looks too. What areas would you say this amp beats the Rowland/Levinsons? I am concerned that it would be bright compared to the Rowland or Levinson. No way to audition my speakers with this amp in my new home location. Thanks.

Any other thoughts?
muralman1
1,527 posts
 
The latest Rowland creation review trashed earlier models for their frequency roll off. The Pass amps are not bright, just more dynamic and clear. If you are using bright speakers, then you might want Levinson, or Rowland. I prefer the live event the Pass amps give.
noble110
49 posts
 
Insert the David Berning ZH-270 in place of the HPA2. I have not heard this combo, but a highly respected source advises that the Berning will work very well!
ritteri
223 posts
 
I myself own a pair of Revel Salon speakers. I have demo'd alot of amps for these too. Ill give you a good rundown as I have alot of experience with alot of the amps you have listed since I used to be a dealer for many of the products above a few years back.

1. Proceed: Has the ML sound, but build quality is VERY SUSPECT. Very poor soldiering joints, alot of corners cut internally. There are way too many amps in this price range that are better built, so skip this discontinued piece.
2.Levinson 431: Plenty of juice, but am not familiar with durability yet. Sounds as good as the older series it replaced no doubt. Plenty of power to drive Studios.
3.Roland: Good amp, good dynamics, will push the Studios to moderate levels cleanly.
3. Pass labs: Any of the pass labs amplifiers will do a great job. Even the X150 has a ton of dynamic headroom that far surpasses its rated output. You cant go wrong with any of the. An x250 or 350 will do a great job.
CLasse: Im not a fan of these but power to drive Studios isnt going to be a concern, though I dont think they match up as well. Top end is definetly forward sounding to say the least.
EAD: I have no experience or knowledge of this product.

COnsiderations: go to www.audioadvisor.com check out the STEAL they have on a pair of Aragon Palladium monoblocks. $3000 for the pair. This is a steal and its basically accomadation price that they are selling these for. They normally list for $6000 for the pair. Aragon amps are very similiar in sound like the Nelson Pass X series amplifiers. I would put the Aragon Palladiums between the x350 and x600 monoblocks from Pass labs at a fraction of the price. THe Aragon's put out 400 watts at 8 ohms(125 watts class A operation, over 125 watts they auto switch the bias to AB), a real world 6-800 watts at 4 ohms and over 1000 watts at 2ohms. Headroom is awesome with them. Midrange is such a great match with the Revel's too, and the bass is tight and articulate. If cost was no object and I had a choice between the Aragon monoblocks, the Pass labs x350 and the x600 monoblocks, I would choose the X600's first, with a close 2nd going to the Aragon amps with the x350 taking last place(a close 3rd in all honesty too)of the bunch. But when talking $3000 vs. $5-6k( I had the money to buy x600's too, but knowing first hand the real world performance of both units I took the extra cash saved and RAN to the closest travel agent, no kidding) and up its a no brainer. The Aragon Palladiums are a no frills industrial quality made amplifier monoblock set. If your ever in the area you should stop by for a listen. You wont be dissapointed.
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