Looking for 200 watt Amp to drive Dynaudio Heritage speakers


Hi Everyone - 

BACKGROUND 


A few years ago, during Covid and after having worked for so many years without really treating myself to a sound system, I took the plunge and started purchasing audio equipment. Unfortunately, I was a terribly uninformed audio buyer and dove in with some purchases that were not terribly well considered. Oh well. 

So here we are today... I have a pair of Dynaudio Heritage Special speakers that I was considering selling.

The Dynaudio Heritage Special speakers require power to open up. Driven at 100 watts, they sound a little anemic and the treble dominates at lower levels. So they ended up in the closet for the last year with plans to sell them. In retrospect, the dealer I purchased them suggested a lower wattage amp than was advisable. 

For my primary system, I'm now running QLN Prestige Three speakers with a Conrad Johnson Classic 120 EL34 amp, LTA Microzotl preamp, Merason DAC1 and Innuos Zenith. The sound of this system is wonderful - ethereal, nuanced, great soundstage and imaging. Very relaxing combo. 

I'm thinking of cycling the Dynaudio into circulation for a few months a year to change things up. I'm looking for a 200 Watt Solid State Amp. But here's the thing, I'm getting older and lugging heavy things around - especially when stairs are part of the equation - is terribly unappealing. 50-55 pounds is pretty much my limit right now.  

I had some Pass Labs amps in for home demos and the thing was a back breaker. I think it was 80 pounds or so. My days of pseudo body building are over... so lugging that thing up and down stairs is something I NEVER want to do again. 

QUESTION FOR THE FORUM 

Can anyone suggest a reasonably priced solid state 200 watt SS amp - no more than 50-55 pounds - that I can use to enjoy these Dynaudio Heritage Speakers? Class AB or Class D, obviously. For weight considerations, I'm really open to a Class D amp, assuming it sounds good. 

Budget is $5K or under - new or used. 

In terms of what I'm looking for - and given my weight requirements - I'd say the primary thing I'm looking to avoid is overt brightness. Otherwise, I'm pretty open to what suggestions the forum might have. Thanks in advance! 
 

128x128bluethinker

I have in the past Conrad J, krell,cello, musical fidelity and since a couple of months the gato dia 400s. I am very satisfied how good it is.

I have a pair of Bel Canto REF600 mono amps - 300 rms each that sound great, very smooth, musical and punchy - and can drive any speaker I’ve thrown at them. I use them for a few months a year too and move them around the house. They’re about 15 pounds each. Great reviews in Stereophile too. My main amps are a MC462- 115 pounds, and an ARC REF160 also about 100 pounds and at 66 am starting to struggle with being able to easily move them around. The Bel Canto REF600 are usually avail used for $2800-$3100 for the pair btw. 

I too have the Heritage Specials and first ran them with a NAD M33...it was okay and maybe better than okay. I then bought a used Pass Labs INT-25 and it was better but one night I had the volume fully opened and I wanted more...and "no" I am not a crazy party guy. I might have had the volume set at 90% so it wasn't all the INT-25 had to give but it was enough to know the speaker wanted more power. Now, I am powering the HS with a Boulder 866 integrated and the speakers and I are very happy. 

Another vote for the Hegel H390. 250 wpc into 8ohms, 45 lbs. I share your distaste for cinder block behemoths.