Given the efficiency of the Morels and your low- mid-volume listening, you might also consider a Pass XA30.5 or XA30.8. Would save you some money, too.
Stereo power amp for $10k
Please help choosing a good stereo power amp to put between Marantz AV7702 and Morel Sopran speakers (4 ohm, sensitivity 91.5dB, nominal power 250W).
Main criteria: good audio quality, warm & deep sound, listening mostly to instrumental music and vocal in low-mid volume.
So far shortlisted to three options, all around $10k:
1) Pass Labs - either X150.8 or X250.8
2) Krell Duo 175 or 300
3) Burmester 956 mkII
Which one of the three would you recommend? Anything better with similar spec and in the same price range?
Thanks.
Main criteria: good audio quality, warm & deep sound, listening mostly to instrumental music and vocal in low-mid volume.
So far shortlisted to three options, all around $10k:
1) Pass Labs - either X150.8 or X250.8
2) Krell Duo 175 or 300
3) Burmester 956 mkII
Which one of the three would you recommend? Anything better with similar spec and in the same price range?
Thanks.
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- 22 posts total
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. |
That are the right words; waste of money. This is a mistake many people make. Still the most common mistake is that people spend a lot of money on speakers and a lot less on amp, source and cables. Many many people play at an even low level of the full potential of their speakers. I use a mirror to make them understand their mistake. When you bring in a better amp, source and cables they are often stunned. This is how audio needs to demoed. People need to be aware what is missing! |
- 22 posts total