2. amps-preamps
  3. 1153830350

Best power amp for Avalon Opus Ceramique

Trying to downsize my system to a speaker/power-amp/ cd-player set-up (with digital volume control e.g. Wadia 581, Audio Aero Prestige or EMM Labs).
Which power amp (ss or tube) in the range 5k-10k is recommended to use with Avalon ?
Will ICE powerd amps like BelCanto, JRDG or NuForce work as well ?
frankpiet
jond's avatar
jond
5,780 posts
 
If you want to use an ICE power amp why not just use Kharma's own monoblocs? I'm pretty sure they're digital and you would think they'd be designed to match, right? Happy listening!!
jtinn
1,124 posts
 
I would not recommend a digital amplifier with any speaker as revealing as the Avalon. Digital amplifiers do a good job controlling bass, but the highs and midrange are unnatural. Absolutely no involvement!

If you are considering JRDG, do not buy anything built after the Model 6, 8 or 9's. They were the finest sound amps that Rowland built.
jond's avatar
jond
5,780 posts
 
Woops I feel like a complete idiot! I just saw Ceramique and my mind filled in Kharma, rather than reading Avalon. Sorry about that, please disregard my meaningless suggestion!
elberoth2's avatar
elberoth2
1,223 posts
 
I wholeheartly agree with Jtinn. You need something fuller sounding, esp. in the midrange. For the same reason, I wouldn't try EMM Labs gear.
More to discover