2. amps-preamps
  3. 1407790105

Pass x250.8 vs Boulder 850 vs Spectral DMA250

Hi all, I sold my old integrated amplifier (Vitus RI-100) and now I have a C2550 mcIntosh Preamplifier.
Next month I will have the possibility to make an audition on these amps, some of them are second hand so the resulting price will be more or less comparable:
- the new Pass X250.8 (I am afraid about what I read on burn-in hours required)
- Spectral DMA 250
- Boulder 850 monos
my intention is to drive my Sonus Faber Elipsa Red with a very good slam/control (where Vitus RI-100 lacked) but without loosing the excellent Vitus mids/highs.
Anyone experienced ? Any other suggestion will be appreciated.
Thanks
Massimo
maz65
maz65 OP
40 posts
 
@Ari
you are right about Hegel: some weeks ago I considered the H30 because there was one available in a shop very close to my house, and no doubt it is a great amp with the Elipsas.
But... the aesthetics in my living room is not fundamental but important (see my system photos), and IMHO the H30 is impossible to exhibit open air, simply I don't like its design for the big dimensions.

Anyway, next Thursday Sept. 28th I will try the Spectral and the Boulders mono, and maybe something else. I will post an update about the test of these two amps.

Max.
maz65 OP
40 posts
 
Hi guys, a short follow-up.
In these days I compared two amps, in the same time, in my setup. Some friends helped me diring listening sessions.
- Boulder 850 monos
- the new Spectral DMA 200 s2

There is a clear winner, no competition: wow, the name is DMA 200 s2.

Let me some days in order to fix the initial feeling.. next week I will post my impressions. Thanks to everybody for suggesting me a way to the right direction, thanks George :-)
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
You welcome Maz, it's all about the current delivery (even at low volume level) with speakers like yours and many others that have nasty load areas.
(Good current delivery is Doubling watts or close to it.)
EG: 50w-8ohms 100w-4ohms, 200w-2ohms, 400w-1ohm.

This is why at normal listening levels the very old Mark Levinson ML2 monoblocks, even though they were only 25w into 8ohms (yes 25w!!), sounded more powerfull than 400w amps driving the same speakers that had hard loads, like yours and many other expensive ones that are around.

Cheers George


singlebrazil
9 posts
 
Hi Maz65,

I'm glad you've found your nirvana :-)
I agree with you about Hegel amps - they are big, but far from ugly, IMHO.

All the best and good listenings,
Ari.
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