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Amp s to drive JM Lab Diva Utopia Be

Hi Folks:
I'm enjoying a newly acquired pair of Diva Utopia Be speakers. I'm wondering what are some good amp choices for these speakers? I'm currently using a pair of KR tube amps that provide about 28wpc. I like the sound a lot but am wondering if I need to take the plunge and get some serious solid state power, or whether I have what it takes with my KR amps. Contenders I've considered include YBA 1 (or maybe YBA 2?), Pass Labs 350.5 or Parasound JC1 monos, Bryston 4bsst, or stick with tubes but get some more serious push-pull power from Canary Audio, BAT, Cary or some other..

Anyway, I'd welcome advice. I'm used a few other speakers but main set of speakers I've used for the last few years were AP Virgo II. I found the upgrade from the Virgo to the Diva to be surprisingly small, but I do hear it. The Divas certainly have more bottem-end extension, a wider sweet-spot, and overall have more weight and presence, but the Virgos did have pinpoint imaging that really did make them disappear - I sort of miss that strange effect.

Thanks in advance or amp recommendations.
128x128outlier
phaelon
1,049 posts
 
I thought the Pathos TT had good synergy with the Divas. If you want more power, consider the Inpol 2.
plato
1,543 posts
 
If you want some serious dynamics, super bass control and articulation, clarity, and musicality, the new NuForce Reference 9SE's are going to be seriously difficult to match, let alone beat. Given the high quality of your front end and speakers, you owe it to yourself to give them a try.

I'm using mine with a set of VMPS RM30 speakers and I am truly amazed at how lifelike the NuForce amps make the music sound.

Whatever you decide, I wish you the best. That's a very nice system you've put together.
slaw3
139 posts
 
I 2nd heartily the Nuforce recommendation - they are wonderful amps that will make your speakers sing!
aball
2,016 posts
 
I personally wouldn't choose NuForce amps for Divas because the Divas will expose their weaknesses. The European press disliked the NuForces very much saying they weren't very smooth and the Divas won't like that at all.

I would use a Unison Research SE, Pathos would be good too, McIntosh works great, YBA for sure, Plinius would be a good match, etc. There are many excellent choices.
plato
1,543 posts
 
Aball, the 9SE's are quite smooth and they were just released so there is no press or reviews available on that model as yet. But thanks for your opinion and concern.

The 9SEs, so far, have no weaknesses that I can detect. They are quite a bit better, than any other amps I have ever had in my system. Perhaps, over time, I might be able to spot some extremely minor weakness, but for now I hear only the great strengths of these incredible amplifiers. If they have any weaknesses they must be extremely difficult to detect, because I sure don't hear any -- and the VMPS RM30 speakers I use are quite revealing, as well. No other amplifiers have allowed them to sound nearly this excellent.
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