Integrated amplifier for Fritz Speakers

@mesch I am surprised he said that about the 120 SET amp

His remark was in the context of me currently using an Axiom II passive with the speakers, which Fritz felt was a pretty good passive. He was thinking the passive in the 120 SET would get me where I wanted to go...which is to eliminate the "sterile" sound of the current setup. 

I suppose that the SET 120 would be a definite step up from the Niles amp I am currently using with the Axiom.

My problem is that I do not understand the sound signature of the SET 120. Is it forward or laid-back, warm or cool, detailed or not, dynamic of not, etc.

I am looking for a bit warm and liquid.

@dsper 

The SET 120 amp and Control Amp along with the SET 400 would fall into the warm and liquid with good bass category.  I have a friend that used the Control amp with Carrera's for several years and then used it as an amp only with a Supratek preamp.  I used the SET 400 for several years with Carrera's.  As the SET 120 Control amp is nothing but the amp module and a passive preamp in one box if you wanted to keep using your Axiom no reason the SET 120 amp shouldn't work plus you have a 30 day money back to work with.  

@dsper have you decided on the Carerra or Carbon ?

I ask because I've used some of the same Scanspeak drivers in a few speakers I built, and upgraded, similar to the Fritz Carbon 7 SE MK 2. Warm, full body, nice.

https://www.fritzspeakers.com/DreamWeaverFritzCarbon7Mk2SpecPage.asp

The AVA SET 120 control amp and this speaker could be a nice combination for you.  I've studied Frank's amps quite a bit, his design, mosfets he uses, and this particular amplifier . You might ask Fritz about this again too, I think he recommended a similar combo. Return policy options on both make it low risk and possibly fun to try fwtw.  I like this idea. Might be a nice little system, best of luck.   

I use the Carbon 6s in my bedroom system. My integrated amp makes 5 Watts/channel. I don't run it out of gas and the system plays as loud as I want. Images float easily in space; the speakers are very good at imaging and detail. Not bad in the bass range either. I run a sub below 45Hz.

Hi All, 

Finally, I have my Carbon SE mk2's sorted.

I acquired a factory refurbished Marantz  CD60 player and an AVA SET120 integrated and things have come together.

Imagining, soundstage, bass, sense of aliveness and musicality are all there.  

With this setup,  the main thing I seem to miss is the last bit of detail and nuance. Not sure if it is the speakers, the amp, or the source!

But we are comparing a $4,000  system to my main rig that is multiples as costly.  Half of my main system dollars are tied up in a Mojo Audio DC and PS Audio PMT.

Anyway, I  can heartily recommend my Carbon setup. There is a warmth that is beguiling and you can just listen to music!

YMMV,

Dsper