Which amplifier should i buy
If I were in your position I would get the McIntosh MC2301’s and never look back. They are 300 wpc, McIntosh reliability, and last I checked come in right at $20k. The only other high powered tube amps I’d put against the MC2301s are 1.5x - 2.0x the price, being the VTL S-400 and the Conrad Johnson ART300s. |
Seriously, what you were always going to get is an exceptionally long list of member‘s own favourite amplifiers. Which may help somewhat. But in the end you are going to have to make a shortlist of suitable amps yourself and listen to them in you own home environment: there are no shortcuts. The idea that there is one best option out there, and that you would get a consensus recommendation on this Forum is a fantasy. Moreover, you would be a fool to buy blind on the basis of a recommendation. |
I saw on this site a 300B Set costing $10,000. I was disappointed that such an expensive amp uses electrolytic capacitors in the plate power supply instead of the far superior never go bad with age polypropylene capacitors instead. An SET amp is easy to design and to build. You could use 833As driven by a good 600 Ohm transformer output direct to the grids. |
I like the sound of the Audio Research gear - and in my opinion have the ability to provide rock solid bass and the ability to delivery dynamic music as good as any solid state amp including my McIntosh. I'd also give a listen to McIntosh MC901 at that price point. Good luck and enjoy the process and the music |
I would definitely go with McIntosh MC2301 Monoblock amplifiers. Check them out. You will not regret it. https://www.mcintoshlabs.com/products/amplifiers/MC2301 https://www.mcintoshlabs.com/products/amplifiers/MC2301 https://www.listeningpost.co.nz/Brands/McIntosh/McIntosh-MC2301-Valve-Power-Amplifier-__I.38672__C.2... |
I have a Cary SLP-05 Preamp with the Ultimate Upgrade and Cardis wiring. Don’t waist your time with the SLP98 when you can get one of the best sounding preamp around. It’s a two chassis rig. I use to have Cary Audio CAD805 AE. As great that amplifier is, it wasn’t enough power. Trust me on that. It is perfect for an efficiency speaker which the Magico isn’t. To calm the screaming tweeters down, you are right to go with a tube amplifier and definitely a Monoblock. Keep it close to the speakers which give you the opportunity to run a shorter length of speaker cable to the speakers. I use to have the Audio Research Reference M160 as well as the Reference 250SE. The McIntosh MC2301 was better with imaging, midrange and bottom end. Everything sounded natural with plenty of grip. This will run cooler than the Audio Research by a lot due to proper spacing of their tubes within the chassis. Trust me, you will appreciate this. The tubes will last 2 to 3 times longer than Audio Research and VTL. I hope this helps. |
