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Class D or Hybrid Amp for Fritz Rev 7 speakers

I am a long-time member but very seldom post. However, I value the expertise here as I have not bought a lot of audio equipment in my day. My goal in 2014 is to upgrade my power amp to hopefully get more detail, a better midrange, and better soundstage. After upgrading the amp, my plan is to upgrade the pre-amp in 2015.

I had some great recommendations on potential tube amps but when I started reading the manuals, I realized that I don’t have the rack space to suit a higher powered tube amp. It seems like there is a lot of discussion here on Class D so I thought I would ask for comments/help.

My current system consists of MacMini/Rega DAC/Acurus RL11 preamp/Acurus A250 power amp/Fritz Rev 7 speakers. The Rev 7s are 4 ohm, 89 db sensitivity. I plan to keep these for a long time so want an amp to match. The Acurus equipment was modded a couple years ago.

My budget is approximately $2K used or new. As of now, my plan is to try a hybrid tube amp (Rogue or Audio by Van Alstine) or Class D amp. If I don’t get one of the hybrids, I would be intrigued by Class D amps such as Channel Islands, W4S, and Bel Canto.

One criteria is that they would have to be compatible with a tube pre-amp as I wan tto try tubes somewhere in my system. In 2015, I plan to upgrade the pre-amp. I have not heard Class D or tubes extensively so I don’t have a strong inclination. However, it seems that I could put together a nice combination using a class D or hybrid with a tube preamp.

Given my budget and system, are there any obvious combinations that you would recommend? Thanks in advance for any comments.
sruffle
peleg
42 posts
 
Hands down, go for the new Wyred 4 Sound mAMPs. I have them, $1800, and absolutely love them! Listen all night to them. Easy to drive so virtually any preamp will work w/ them. Fritz speakers and Wyred stuff seem to work real well w/ each other.
bakalovb's avatar
bakalovb
19 posts
 
Djverne, how did you like Carbon 7 with virtue audio sensation?
I have 7's and use sensation with upgraded power supply and grant fidelity tube buffer/upgraded tubes. Very happy with result.
Now contemplating to upgrade to Rev 7, but never heard any comparison between them and Carbons or if Rev's are good match with Sensation.
sruffle OP
57 posts
 
Thanks again for the comments. Great recommendations. The Ncore 400 idea is very intriguing. I have read a bit about them but will have to do more research.
sruffle OP
57 posts
 
Excuse my ignorance for the double post. I am fairly computer literate but cannot figure out how to send a PM. Per Strateahed's post, I am interested in exploring a 3rd party assembly on a nCore400. Can you please point me to a reputable assembly outfit. For $155, that could save a lot of headaches. Thanks.
djverne
77 posts
 
Bakalovb
I also had Virtue Sensation M901 with upgraded power supply and tube buffer. Sound wise the sound stage was rendered kind of small and imaging was not spot on, but the singer's voice was warm and upfront...which was great for vocal music. I actually thought the amp sounded better with Focus 110's. The Fritz 7 is a great speaker and I don't think I ever did it justice with the amps I paired it with at the time. I talked to Fritz on the phone and from what I gather the Rev 7 is more resolving in the highs, more tight in the lows, and a little more detailed in the mid-range. I think that basically would be the Focus 110's with a better crossover, lower bottom and, and more detail...but smooth.
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