2. amps-preamps
  3. 164947-122363

New Amp Choice

I am not sure what is left for a tangible improvement, but I am looking at trying at least one additional amp. I stared with high end receivers, but then bough a McIntosh MA7900 nearly 4 years ago along with Golden Ear Triton Ones. I find the the sound quite good though I had a low end Pioneer receiver once with some surround type Bose speakers, hisses noted, and they had a quality off whipping the sound while moving around me that I really liked. My current system which I described, is much cleaner and detailed, but there was an enveloping aspect that I still miss. Maybe a new amp will not supply any of this as it is a quality of the speaker, but I wondered if a tube amp has such a quality. I may purchase a pair of Bose 301's just to test, but I am still minded to try another higher end amp and to be clear while I likded that aspect of the Bose my current setup is in most regards more pleasing.

The contenders are:

Pass Labs Int-250
Musical Fidelity M8xi
Line Magnetic  LM-845IA   
Line Magnetic LM-845 Premium

The Luxman 509x was of interest, but they gimped the headphone output. 

nick63
nick63 OP
4 posts
 
Thanks for the response. I will find a forum with hopefully greater input.
jjss49's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
jjss49
6,612 posts
 
op

it would be helpful if you would say more about what you are trying to improve in the sound of your system beyond it becoming more ’enveloping’

the ge triton 1’s are very efficient, easy to drive, with their self powered bass units

you can definitely improve the sound moreso with a different, expensive amp but when you say you want a more enveloping sound, i think first of examining whether you have ideal speaker placement, room treatment and listening position
stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,381 posts
 
You really shouldn't need subwoofers with your Triton Ones.
perkadin's avatar
perkadin
286 posts
 
Tubes may change the sound in some ways but it won’t sound like and old pair of acoustimass speakers.  If you liked the 301’s buy a used pair off eBay for peanuts. Or maybe try some vintage 901’s.  Bose didn’t make detailed speakers back in the day but they were fun and musical. 
elliottbnewcombjr
5,330 posts
 
It's NOT the 2 channel equipment.

It's the speakers, their sound distribution, combined with content with both strong channel separation and sound effects.

And the space: it's proportions, live/dull characteristic, parallel and/or non-parallel surfaces

You Liked the Bose sound!

I refer to Bose, i.e. Bose 901's 'Stereo Everywhere'. Not for me, but many like my neighbor, his party guests, and you love it.

I suggest you find nice pair of vintage Bose, 901's, 301's  that offer returns and try them.

btw, some vintage equipment offered a 'derived' center channel, you might like a 3rd speaker. 


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