Upgrade from Forte F40/4A

I had a 4A and F44 combo that I liked very much. Went from the 4A to a McCormack DNA125 and ran the F44 with it. The 4A runs warm as many Class A amps do but it's sound is distinctive. It has clear pleasing mids and highs but left the bass a little murkey for me and did not extend down to the capabilities of my speakers. To me my Mc is more dynamic, mildly less detailed mids and highs but more musical bounce. I recently left the F44 (which I like very much) for a TAD tubed pre. Biggest difference was in a wider soundstage thrown with the TAD but the Forte holds it's own for musicality. I can't think of anything SS pre in the used market Forte price range that I would rather have. I think you will spend big to get a small improvement but I always had my eye on getting a Classe DR-6 but never found one priced right enough for me. If you are looking for a nice integrated look at Blue Circle or Plinius. But the Plinius may run warm also. Have not not heard the new PS Audio integrated but it gets good press from the rags. Or keep your 40 and match it with a Good class AB amp SS amp(Classe, McCormack, CJ etc.) that runs cooler than the 4A but that does not sound SS glarey and save yourself some major bucks. I am not familiar with Bel Cantos sound and I am negaitively biased because it is digital. I suspect it will sound vastly different from your Forte setup but that may not be bad for you. Can't speak of NuForce either.

Semi,

I forgot to mention that you may want to consider an alternative path and contact Jon Soderberg @ Vintage Amp Repair http://www.vintageamprepair.net/ and ask him about his mod/upgrade of both those units. He perfomed some updating to my Threshold Amp (it made a noticeable difference in sound performance). It has been mentioned here and at other forums how he has improved both of the units you own and he has a great reputation.

Good luck,
L

So Forte still holds its own against the newer digital amps, or newer amps in general? I did try the PS Audio HCA-2 with my bigger Sonus Faber and liked the sound, but I know digital amps are very load sensitive and have to be heard with the speaker to accurately judge the sound. But because the system is located oversea, I will have to buy the amps here, bring them over and try, bring them back to sell if I don't like. Now, that's difficult to do especially with amps.

As for modding, that does not solve any of my initial concerns, heat and convenience, so I will most likely keep them stock until I upgrade the system all together.

Any integrated out there that sounds close to the Forte combo?

As usual in posts the responses are drifting. If the 4A running warm is a big problem for you and you want to aleviate that a) buy a couple of small fans and keep them blowing on it or b) keep the 40 and sell your 4A ($600 give or take) buy a Mc DNA125 (8-900) used or a used CJ MF 2250 or maybe a DR-9 Classe about the same price range. These will still give you a clear accurate sound you have been used to with the Forte with more low end punch. You may give up a little of the "pristiness" of Class A sound but you will gain in dynamics and bass. I still believe without spending big you are going to beat your combo for sound with an integrated setup.