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Requesting opinions about 4 specific amplifiers

Greetings Audiogon community,

I am requesting your input about four specific amplifiers in a particular price range and how they may, or may not, pair well with my Dynaudio Confidence 20 stand mount speakers.

My room is 20' x 16' and does have wall absorption treatment. I do not listen at high levels, typically in the 75 to mid 85 db territory. 

I currently own a Luxman L-509X integrated amplifier, which is probably the best integrated amp I have owned to date. However I am wondering if there is a better amp match for my Dynaudio Confidence 20 speakers, and so am considering moving to separates. My budget for the amp alone is in the preowned $4K to $5K range.

Here are amps I am asking for your input about ;

-Simaudio Moon 860A V1 (Dynaudio dealers seem to endorse Simaudio)

-Pass Labs X150.8

-PS Audio BHK Signature 250 stereo (PS Audio has dropped the price on new amps in their closeout sale)

-Parasound JC 5

I realize there are many, many, amp manufacturers, and that of course if I reach a bit higher I could consider Ayre, or Aesthetix, or Coda, all of which interest me, but seem to stay outside of my budget. 

I wish I could side-by-side compare or demo all of these amps, but unfortunately it is not possible. I am looking to your experience to help in any way possible.

Thank you!

 

jpipes
erik_squires
16,244 posts
 

@jpipes - I wouldn’t say everything Ayre does is correct from an absolute measurement perspective. I’ve read detractors which I believe was centered around a relatively high damping factor or distortion. I’m not sure. I also don’t care... they sound really good. :)

From a purely personal and subjective point of view, Ayre and Pass make different aesthetic choices to the sound. I’m not about to debate it based on measurements, I just happen to like one a lot more than the other. I suspect others will also find themselves naturally preferring one to the other, and I’ve got no issue with that at all.

zuesman
207 posts
 

jpipes,

I doubt if you'll get a sim audio 860A V1 for that price the Simaudio W8 used is selling for $5,000 US.

audioguy85's avatar
audioguy85
2,018 posts
 

Nad c298 power amp. Or, buy two Nad c268's and bridge them for 300 watts per channel. Mine sound great!

lldd
37 posts
 

I had the BHK 300s and moved to a top end Luxman amp.  They are very different from each other.  BHKs are more of a bottom up amp, with plenty of foundational bass where the Luxman is more top down, with an exceptional mid and high range.  Only you can decide which of thee (if either) works best with your speakers, equipment and room.  Good luck.

gfguillot
14 posts
 

I can’t say how it’ll sound with your speakers, but I love my Parasound JC5. It runs in class A for the first 25 watts, which in your situation of a lower listening volume may really pay off. I find my JC5 shines everywhere and it’s very satisfying.

Highly recommended and is in the used price range for about $4K-5K.

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