2. amps-preamps
  3. 1062644901

What amplifiers should I consider ?

I am purchasing a set of Hales Revelation 3 speakers, and believe my Acurus DIA 100 MK II Integrated Amplifier is going to be somewhat "challenged." I intend to purchase a more powerful amplifier by Christmas, but am limited to a budget of perhaps $1500 US. Obviously, I will be looking used, but I am looking for opinions on what amplifiers to consider. Current thoughts include the PS Audio HCA-2, the Aragon 8008, and the Marsh A400S, but I am open to suggestion. Perhaps some Hales owners can give me feedback on what they are using and if they are happy with their current systems?
kberg373
kberg373 OP
5 posts
 
Thanks for all the responses. Right now, I am still doing research, and don't expect to buy an amplifier until perhaps November. I know what I WANT to get (a YBA 2), but will probably need to reduce my expectations (or wait until tax time). I am leaning towards the Marsh A400s Power Amp, it seems to be a pretty well respected unit, and I like what I've heard of it (although it was NOT with Hales Revelation 3 speakers). The Marsh amp is just inside my proposed budget (Max $2000 US), but I will listen to the PS Audio HCA-2 and the Proceed HPA-2 amplifiers before I make any firm decision.
ritteri
223 posts
 
Kberg: I used to sell Proceed(along with ML and Revel)amps. STAY AWAY FROM PROCEED!! They had a terrible return rate and reliability is very poor at best. In one year the company I worked for sold about 120 units of the HPA and AMP series. Over half of them came back within 90 days for warrenty issues. Madrigal cut some serious corners on these. Solder joints were terrible. If your even thinking about an HPA 2, you seriously need to put an Aragon 8008BB into that list. The Aragon is a far superior built amp and sounds much better too. Tighter bass,smoother midrange,soundstage is much more open. The Aragon is of a true industrial build quality with superior sonic characteristics.
lrsky
1,118 posts
 
Belles, is great sounding gear. More sophistocated to my ear than the Marsh, and more musical, whatever that means. Mr. Belles hand wires the units personally. Talk about hand made!
The Hales I heard were a little forward sounding in the high frequencies, so the combo of the new 21A preamp (with a couple of tubes, and the 150A would probably do well for you with those speakers. And it should fit in the price you mentioned.
IMHO, as always.
Good luck and good listening,
Larry
bfuehrer
21 posts
 
FWIW: If you havn't made a purchase yet, I recently upgraded my amplifier to a Krell KSA 250. this 250 watt class A powerhouse literally took ahold of the hard to drive Hales Rev III's that I have and made them sound like speakers costing 3 times their price. I can't overemphasize how much the improvement was from the bottom all the way to the top end.

What is your experience with these speakers?

Brad
More to discover