IMO the Arcam A38 should have the best synergy with the VA Bach. I do think the Bach deserves a better amp then the 4 mentioned. An Atoll-IN200-Krell-400xi and Primare-I31 have synergy-power and current to get much more out of the VA Bach. The Atoll and Primare are true dual mono designs(toroidal transformer for each channel).
Opinions on 4 Integrateds
I have a dual purpose 2 Channel/HT system using an HT bypass feature in my preamp. I like this kind of configuration. My listening preferences are 80% Music (LP's & CD's) and 20% HT (Movies & TV). Lately I have been thinking about how to up the 2 channel performance to the next level. I have a pair of Vienna Acoustics Bach Grands that I love and have no interest in replacing them with another speaker. So I thought of swapping my Parasound New Classic preamp & power amp with a good Integrated Amp. It must have an HT bypass feature. I have a separate phono preamp so this is not a requirement. Here is the short list I have come up with and would like opinions on each of these amps from folks you know them well.
Marantz PM15S2LE - top of my list as I have heard it and am very impressed. I do not question its performance. My concern is that its MSRP is more than the MSRP of my speakers. Guess I am old school and believe the speakers should cost more that the amp driving them. I am worried that if I purchased this amp, it would force an upgrade spiral with my speakers. Something I would like to avoid. Any thoughts on this?
Arcam A38 - same concern as the Marantz; it costs more than the speakers. Also, I cannot find published specs into 4 Ohms across the full bandwidth. Only 1kHz. Anyone know if its power output would be sufficient for my speakers?
Creek Evolution 5350 SE - price OK. Same concern about power as the Arcam. Any comments?
Music Hall a70.2 - this is the lowest priced amp at $1500 and a real dark horse. It appears to be a true dual mono design and looks like a beast at 125 wpc into 8; 180 wpc into 4. I have no doubt this amp will get the jop done. But I cannot seem to find a single review, critical or otherwise, about it. Does anyone have anything to share about this amp? It looks like a real sleeper.
Again, improved 2 channel sound is the goal. Or am I better off sticking with my Parasound 2100 pre and 5125 theater amp? Thanks in advance.
Marantz PM15S2LE - top of my list as I have heard it and am very impressed. I do not question its performance. My concern is that its MSRP is more than the MSRP of my speakers. Guess I am old school and believe the speakers should cost more that the amp driving them. I am worried that if I purchased this amp, it would force an upgrade spiral with my speakers. Something I would like to avoid. Any thoughts on this?
Arcam A38 - same concern as the Marantz; it costs more than the speakers. Also, I cannot find published specs into 4 Ohms across the full bandwidth. Only 1kHz. Anyone know if its power output would be sufficient for my speakers?
Creek Evolution 5350 SE - price OK. Same concern about power as the Arcam. Any comments?
Music Hall a70.2 - this is the lowest priced amp at $1500 and a real dark horse. It appears to be a true dual mono design and looks like a beast at 125 wpc into 8; 180 wpc into 4. I have no doubt this amp will get the jop done. But I cannot seem to find a single review, critical or otherwise, about it. Does anyone have anything to share about this amp? It looks like a real sleeper.
Again, improved 2 channel sound is the goal. Or am I better off sticking with my Parasound 2100 pre and 5125 theater amp? Thanks in advance.
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