I would add Plinius to your list.
There are a variety of Plinius amps to choose from.
There are a variety of Plinius amps to choose from.
Stereo power amp for $10k
There is one thing you need to be aware of. I have done thousend of tets in audio. In the past we connected many poweramps to Marantz, Denon, Rotel, NAD, Cambridge, Arcam receivers. But all these brands gave a 2 dimensional image because the stage of a pre amp creates the new outcomming stage. So connecting an amps which can create a deep and wide stage only keep their stage when the pre amp is also capable of giving a deep and wide stage. Even when a Pass Labs can create a lot of dept and width, cause of the Marantz the stage will be still 2 dimensional. When your speakers are easy to drive even a 30.8 can drive them. But the limitation of the set will be the Marantz. This mistake is made by many people who have audio as a hobby. The backside is that you cannot get the full potential out of the Pass even when you still use the Marantz as a pre amp> |
Raraavis, if buying new in your price range, i'd 2nd the lovely Modwright KWA-150SE, but if you're also prepared to consider good recent 2nd hand examples, there is a Vitus RI-100 in very good shape here on the 'Gon asking $7k. The RI-100 can be used as an integrated amp with 2 channel, or you can bypass the preamp section and use it as a power amp. You can also add a phono card & dac card later is you need those options. Australian Hifi Magazine wrote a fairly thorough review with labs testing last year. That said, if you only need a power amp, the Pass XA.8 series is very good as well, so it's a matter of taste. |
You need to realize that putting a 10K amp on your processor is not only a mismatch but a waste of $. You won't be able to hear the improvement from the 10K amps: resolution, details, stage and macro/micro dynamics due to your Marantz preamp limitation. You can get say a $5K amp and spend the rest on a dedicated 2 channel preamp with HT bypass: JC-2, Ayre K5xe MP, etc... I had the Krell $8000 processor, known to be very good for 2 channel, and it sounds broken next to a $4000 dedicated 2 channel preamp. My 20 years plus in this hobby has taught me that my system is only at its best when spending the most I can afford on a preamp. |