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New Amp Advice

I'm considering replacing my amp in what I hope will be the last major upgrade for a long while. My current system is Roon Nucleus, dcs Bartok, Octave Jubilee preamp, Michi S5 amp, Sonus Faber Il Cremonese speakers, Audioquest Niagra 3000 power conditioner, Nordost Heimdall 2 cables, Clearaudio DC performance TT with Ortofon Cadenza bronze cart, Simaudio 610 LP phono stage. Room has been treated and is approximately app. 21x30. About 80% streaming from Qobuz or Tidal-the rest vinyl.

I like the performance of my system and spend at least a few hours every night listening. Made the very wise decision a few years ago to replace all the time I spent watching cable news with music. Varied taste in music-jazz, blues, R&B, country, old time rock, no rap, electronic and very little classical.

Logically, the Michi is the weak link but I think it performs at a very high level for its price, is extremely well built, and has plenty of power. Hard to describe specific improvements I'm looking for, maybe wider soundstage and better imaging.

I prefer to buy new and prefer hybrid or SS-ambivalent about the tube sound and, honestly, intimidated by the potential maintenance issues-I'm old and inept. My budget is approximately up to 40-45k, maybe a bit more or less depending on how smitten I am, but obviously happy to spend less. Exploring possibilities but only willing to make the investment if it produces a significant improvement. I've heard a couple of Macs-prefer what I have now-and the new Simaudio North 761-I like Sim products but honestly couldn't hear a significant improvement in my system.

I know I need to audition potential replacements so just trying to get a reasonable list of candidates. So far, considering Accuphase A-300, Audionet Maxx (intrigued by the soon to be released Schrodinger) Boulder 1161 (probably should wait for the new 1162 or 1163), Burmester 216, Bricasti M32, T+A 3000HV, Constellation Revelation Series 2 and Dan D'Ag s250-its a long list I need to narrow. The Dan, Constellation, Boulder and T+A are available at dealers within an hour or two-the others I'd have to travel to hear. Looking for a relatively neutral sound, I suppose, but sometimes I think, to paraphrase what Justice Potter Stewart said about pornography, you know it (the sound) when you hear it.  This will be my last shot for a long while, that's what my financial advisor says, so I need to hit the target. 

A long intro, but trying to anticipate questions any of you might raise. Thanks in advance for your thoughts- I respect the enormous wealth of knowledge on this forum.

kerrybh
disc
126 posts
 

I just switched from a Boulder 866 (with DAC) to a D'Agostino Momentum 250MxV.  Before making my selection, I listened closely to the Boulder 1061 and 1161, as well as the D'Agostino.  All four were compared as amplifiers over several listening sessions using a Bartok APEX as a pre, DAC and streamer (the 866 sounded better with the Bartok APEX than with its internal DAC -- no surprise there, though I was rooting for the 866).  I wanted to chime in to report simply that there were noticeable improvements from the 866, to the 1161 and also from the 1161 to the 1160 and the D'Agostino.  I narrowed it down to the 1160 and the D'Agostino, which both sounded wonderful to me and noticeably better than the 866 (which I loved).  I would have been happy with either, but ended up buying the latter for a number of reasons, including the fact that the 1160 would have required me to completely redo my set up -- rack, system placement, etc. -- and my room won't allow for that.   

In sum, I have never heard the Michi; from what I've read, I'm sure it sounds great.  The 866 also sounds great.  But I suspect that, as with my leap, the type of jump you are considering will likely allow for significant improvement in sound.  

kerrybh OP
179 posts
 

Thank you. That is very useful information as Boulder and Dan are both on my list..

it looks like Boulder is discontinuing the 1160 and introducing a new model. It will be interesting to see what changes. Sounds like you are very satisfied with your purchase and I’m sure it sounds fantastic.

kerrybh OP
179 posts
 

@mapman

you are right, I have not pinpointed a particular weakness with the Michi and have always thought it performed well, certainly at theprice point.

as I have upgraded my system, the amp is no longer a match in terms of price. I know that price doesn’t always equal performance and I generally think to get a significant increase in performance You usually have to go up two or three times the price. my feelings won’t be hurt if the right conclusion is to stay put, just exploring the options and I appreciate your comments.

decooney
2,167 posts
 

@sls883 - zlone Well, that one looks plenty nice! smiley I think I’ll have to be happy with my Coda No 8, V1 for some time. It seems to work well with the rest of my system.

To ​​​@sls883, if you don’t mind sharing a few details, what is that you feel your are missing or yearning more of from the Coda No V1. Are you effectively looking for a different type of sound and if so, can you describe a little more about what that might be, in your own words?

Sure we’ve read the comments where some have jumped to the 16 and yet while I’ve not tried the no 8 personally or the newer 5.5, or S20 myself, I might have a chance soon to demo one of these and interested in your feedback on the no. 8. Thanks in advance for your reply.

ozzy's avatar
ozzy
7,530 posts
 

I own the Michi 8 mono blocks, and they are the best amps I have ever tried/owned. A bit heavy but will power anything.

ozzy

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