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Consideration of amp change

Been thinking about a possible change of my integrated amp (current Classe CAP 151) and have under consideration the ARC DSi200 and or Sim Audio 600i. The front end is ARC CD 3 Mk 2 with Apogee Slant 6 speakers. I listen to rock, soft rock, jazz, new age and blues. I'm hoping to expand the sound staging (without being analitical) and want to try to expand the micro details from the music I listen to (see my system for all the details). My biggest draw back is that I don't have access to hear these pieces of equipment for comparisons though so I have to rely on educated opinions. I DO NOT WANT to go separates, (so please don't suggest any of that). Suggestions are welcome and appreciated and I'm working with in budget limitations with a top of $3K-$3.5K
rsjm80
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
I would recommend the LSA Statement Plus integrated amp currently for sale on Audiogon.
The Modwright KWI-200 is also a good recommendation, or a BAT VK-300SE.
Many good integrated amps out there these days.
lynott
87 posts
 
The Sim is a good suggestion, but I see that there's a Coda CSi for sale at 3k (possibly negotiable), and knowing how well it drove a pair of Maggie 3.6s in a friend's rig, it would probably take to those Slants really well.
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,658 posts
 
http://www.needledoctor.com/Rogue-Audio-Cronus-Magnum-II-Integrated-Amp
And this!
http://www.avahifi.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=267&Itemid=229
adg101
1,062 posts
 
I had a pair of Apogee Centaurs which I think the Slant 6's would be similar to. I'd second the ModWright. At the time the best sound I got out of my Apogees was with a ARC 100.2 over some Levinsons and Krell's I tried at the time which were too analytical on those speakers. The 100.2 is a great amp but not sure if the DSi200 has the magic the 100.2 has. Personally the newer ARC SS amps don't do it for me. Between that ARC and the ModWright on your speakers I'd go with the ModWright if you can't hear them first.
adg101
1,062 posts
 
I never felt my Centaurs were that hard to drive like the big ribbon Apogees; the Slant 6's should be the same. I'd read up on a Rogue or other tube integrated pieces. When I was using my ARC 100.2 on my Centaurs I was using a MidWright SWL 9.0 SE preamp which worked great on the Centaurs. Unless you flat out don't want to mess with tubes I'd look there as well. 
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