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Budget Amp for Avalon Eidolon

I noticed here a few conversations already about Avalon Eidolon and best matching amp. It appeared Eidolon sounds best with CAT and Jadis. But I can't afford to buy Eidolon and recommended amp electronics.

Could you please let me know if you had a good experience with 'down to earth' amps with Avalon Eidolon.

My current system is

Meridian 508.24,ARC LS15 Preamp,ARC VT100 MkII, Proac2.5, interconnect(XLR)\speaker cable - NBS Master III, Svetlana valves.

I was considering
1) change only speakers
2) change ARC VT100 for more powerful Mcintosh (don't know which one yet. I found suggestion to bridge MC275 and get 150W per channel.
3)change ARC VT100 for Electrocompaniet AW120 ( Nice SS amp can produce 200W into 4oms)
4)change VT100 for Gamut D200 MkIII ?
5)change VT100 for Ayre V-1xe ?

What are your suggestions?

Please write only if you had an experience with Avalon Eidolon and 'down to earth amps' (under US$10000)
eavr11
friz1313's avatar
friz1313
76 posts
 
You have really good speakers currently, and for 10K I'd look at replacing your ARC front end with Ayre before going up to the Eidolons. Of the amps you've listed, the Ayre V-1 is far and away the most musical and best sounding IMO. Next, unless you are really happy with your LS15, the Ayre K-5x is much better sounding to my ears. You should be able to sell your ARC equipment for a little over $3K, and buy the V-1 and K-5 for around $7K, costing you $4K total.

And you will hear a noticeable improvement. I'm not sure what type of music you listen to, or if you require a phono stage, but you'd be amazed with how good your speakers sounded if you went that route.
ca2284
43 posts
 
The Rowland 302, which can be had used for under $9000 is a great match as well.
siddh
345 posts
 
I enjoyed the Classe CAM 200, which only occassionally lacked the neccessary juice. The Ca-301 was not a bad match, giving these power hungry speakers more of what they desire. Classe amps in this power range and incarnation are well within your price point. Much may be dependent upon room size and ancillary equipment. The front end of this Classe driven system was a Jadis preamp, noted for it's musicalness and a Koetsu/Clearaudio analog rig. This introducing of tubes added body, shimmer and image density.

A friend with Eidelons has had succes with Lamm's and Atma-Sphere. Both of these may be in your price range on the used market.

I presently use Joule Rite of Passage amps, purchased for $10,000 used...and I cannot overstate how well they play together.
billspecfoc
103 posts
 
I personally know of one person who used to run his Eidolons with Atma-Sphere MA2 Mk2.3's. He sold the amps to me only because he had a modded Jadis preamp (single-ended only) that he did not want to part with. He kept his Joule-Electra Rites of Passage OTL's. The big Atma's can be had for $10-12K if you keep your eyes open.

Also, there is an individual here on Agon, Rushton, who uses the big Atma's to drive Eidolons. Maybe he will chime in on this.

Bill
sdatch
204 posts
 
You have made an excellent speaker choice! I have heard Eidolons sound magical with BAT VK-150 SEs, which are not outrageuosly expensive. Of course the likelihood of finding those used is not great, but their new price of around $15k is not outrageous by high end standards.
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