2. amps-preamps
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Another

~

It's time to move up in my system. I'd appreciate some amp recommendations, as I haven't heard too many amps, and have little knowledge of some of the nuances involved in making a decision. Field testing amps is also difficult where I live.

My system is Magnepan 3.7 speakers; (2) Vandersteen 2wq subwoofers; Mojo Audio Mac Mini feeding a PS Audio Directstream DAC, straight to amp. No preamp. (Transparent ICs, Shunyata Triton, Anaconda PCs, DH Labs and Silnote SCs.) The current amp is a very fast and very powerful Class-D switching amp with tons of headroom.

The system is noiseless, clean, precise, detailed, neutral. The soundstage is huge, holographic, and immersive. Live recordings are the bomb. Sometimes it seems a bit sharp or harsh, but that's often the recording or the room. Overall, soft and sensuous, it ain't, but I can hear every note and breath.

I've heard some denigrate a different switching amp -- "I can hear the switching." This from a tube guy. I'd prefer not to get into any Class-X wars.

A local dealer is suggesting I look at Bryston, a classic match for Maggies, I'm sure, but he also suggests that the Bryston can be somewhat two-dimensional. His solution is a Levinson 532H, which he holds as more three-dimensional than Bryston.

Or, he has a demo Acoustic Research Ref150. Somehow, I doubt I'd like to go with tubes, due to the sonics, the expense, and the 'hassle' of dealing with tubes.

All of the prices mentioned are more than I'd like to spend, but I've gotta deal with that part of it.

So, I'd love to hear recommendations.

And... how does one audition amps when they live in an area of so few B&M audio stores?

~
rhanson739
lou_setriodes's avatar
lou_setriodes
687 posts
 
I'm partial to tubes because to me they sound the most pleasing and realistic. That being said, I would try your amp with a tube preamp as with all of the class D, gainclones, chip amps, etc that I have heard, they all sound great but a little too sterile for me and greatly benefit from the warmth of being mated with a tube preamp.

I don't believe you need to spend megabucks to have a great sounding rig and I like the idea of giantkiller products that can hold their own against stuff that is a lot more expensive. The B&K EX442 Sonata is such a product, extremely tube like, 200 into 8, 360 into 4 ohms, 75 amps and won't set you back too much at all. PS Audio 200C or CX is another great amp that won't break the bank. Many others too, mated with a tube preamp and I think you'd be pleasantly surprised. OK, so you might have to upgrade caps or something, but you're still saving loads of money over these other brands...

Good luck and most of all enjoy the journey
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,891 posts
 
I, too, am curious as to why you want to improve on something you already love.
Here's my feeble attempt to read between your lines: despite the pure, detailed,
pristine and holographic results of your endeavors, it can, at times, sound harsh.

Granted, it's due to the recording, but in the back of your mind you sense you're
getting too much of a good thing at the expense of something else, namely,
some soul or naturalness. Could it be you'd gladly sacrifice a small dose of
leading edge detail for a back end dose of body and heft?

Speaker cables would be my first recommendation as it'd be the cheaper and
easier route to take. Try the CableCo.com and use their lending program to see if
some other cable can do the trick.

If not, a big, juicy class A/B power amp like Pass could do it. A long time ago I
had a pair of Magnapan Tympani three panel speakers and ran them with a BGW
boat anchor of an amp and it never failed to satisfy.

Good luck and all the best,
Nonoise
rhanson739 OP
269 posts
 
Why? See my response to Guido above dated 6/28.
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,891 posts
 
If not, a big, juicy class A/B power amp like Pass could do it. A long time ago I had a pair of Magnapan Tympani three panel speakers and ran them with a BGW boat anchor of an amp and it never failed to satisfy.

Didn't that address it in an apropos manner?
I just wanted to keep your options open and go easy on the wallet.

All the best,
Nonoise
zd542
5,339 posts
 
"@ Guidocorona Good questions. As for my current amp, it has been a bit problematic and I'm tired of dealing with it. My ideal amp would have great detail, but no glare or etching. I don't want it overly smoothed out, though, and have left tubes in my past. What's a budget? And... blues, classical, folk, live performance, etc., etc. A pretty wide range."

If that's what you would consider ideal, can you give an example of an amp that you've heard that has all of these qualities? Even if it was an amp that's out of your price range, someone may know of a less expensive alternative. Also, its kind of hard to explain in words subjective sound qualities. The same words can vary from person to person. That's why if you can link your description to an amp that some of us may have experience with, you should be able to get much better recommendations.
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