2. amps-preamps
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Another

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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
rhanson739 OP
269 posts
 
Ricred1 -- Congrats!

I'm still waiting for the Merrill's to come in, hopefully soon. Your post suggests that I may also want to hear the Rowland, so I'm chasing that down.

May I ask you, or anyone else, "What does switching sound like?" Perhaps if I knew what to keep my ear out for, I'd hear it.
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Hi Rob, many earlier class D mps sounded a bit sterile, or perhaps hi-fiish. New designs based on Pascal and NCore tend to sound like... Music!

G.
ricred1
2,050 posts
 
I shouldn't have said you can hear "switching", but that
some Class D switching amps sound thin, with some
irregularities in the treble region...sounds similar to
when a tube is going bad in an amplifier. Something just
doesn't sound natural. The JR Continuum S2 is the best
amplifier that I've owned regardless of Class type. The
S2 is warm to the touch and doesn't run as cool as other
Class D amps that I've had. I don't if that contributes
to the sound quality or not? I hope my post makes sense.
I had total knee replacement a week ago and on some
strong pain medicine.
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Hi Richard, rest assured, CS2 sounds amazing regardless of meds *grins!*
ricred1
2,050 posts
 
Guido you are funny. Do you agree that the S2 runs a little warm to the touch compared to other Class D amps? It's not a problem to me, but it does make me wonder if JR is doing something different with Class D that gives it the power and musicality that many Class D amps simply don't have?
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