2. amps-preamps
  3. 1017196294

Best Amp for under 10K?

I'm building a new system and have been away from the audio world for a long time.

So far I've purchased the Sonus Amiti Homage and Sonus Cremona speakers.

I've also purchased the VTL TL 5.5 pre amp, an Aerial Acoustic SW-12 subwoofer and the Transparent cables.

Now I need to select the best amp for the system.

I've been looking at the VTL MB 450, the Levinson No 336, a pair of the Bel Canto EVO 200.2 and the Classe Cam 350.

All opinions and recommendations are welcome.
128x128stanford
stehno
1,453 posts
 
The Moon W5 is a very nice amp. I owned one for about 4 months and sold late last year. IMO, my McCormack DNA-2 LAE is a better amp than the W5 though, especially in the lower bass regions. But they are certainly in the same league. I've not heard the Odyssey Stratos but IAR rated it one up from the W5 also and only costs $1000.
twl
3,251 posts
 
Berning ZH270($4500) or Siegfried($7500) OTLs.
muralman1
1,527 posts
 
The Pass Labs Xseries or if you can wait a little for the Pass Labs XA which consumates the famous class A Aleph with the X. I'm not a dealer either. An amateur amp builder talked me into a purchase of an X. Its the first solid state that a tubular like me can stand. Absolutely no ear offending ss nasties.
kelton
24 posts
 
manley studio 440 or wolcott audio listen and factor in reliability, not the most exotic but 10 yrs down the road nothing should still be able to beat it.
albertporter's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
albertporter
4,949 posts
 
I agree with Kelton on the Manley and Wolcotts. I use the Wolcotts myself and having owned amps up to $30K, the Presence (Wolcott) is one of the few bargains in high end audio.
More to discover