2. amps-preamps
  3. 1435441061

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
rhanson739 OP
269 posts
 
Mr D -- Why that kind of response?

I appreciate your input, and as mentioned above, have done everything reasonably possible to tame the room.

Once again, I didn't name the manufacturer because I do not want to disparage them. Some people love their product. That's just not my experience. The company is going through some tough times, and I do not want to add to their difficulties.

By the way, I created the original post on 6/27, and highlighted the problematic nature of my situation in a reply on 6/28. You did not reply to this thread until 7/11. So, I'm not sure why you're saying, "If Rhanson, in his original post, indicated that the amp was failing, and unreliable, as he did not, I would never had put my 2 cents in..."

Did you not read the thread before putting your 2 cents in? If not, then there's really no good reason to mute yourself because of some perceived transgression on my part.
mrdecibel
3,065 posts
 
Rhanson, I was not alone. Shakeydeal and Nonoise assumed the same. We did not read your response to Guido. My response was based on your original post. Sorry......MrD.
infection's avatar
infection
808 posts
 
How about PS Audio BHK Signature...?
rhanson739 OP
269 posts
 
Mr D,

I did not mention the manufacturer because I did not want to disparage them. While they make a good product that many enjoy, I have not had the luck of the draw in terms of reliability.

Nor have some others. I am curious about, and under informed about, any voltage or impedance mismatches that might be occurring here, but I will say that my issues have been reported by others who own the same amp, so perhaps my problems are not that unique, nor related to my setup.

Magnepan does not know of this issue.

I would truly love it if someone could look at the specs of my system and say, "There! no wonder!", but no one has pointed to anything obvious.

Can you?

It could just be that this amp is prone to failures. I'm certainly not the only one to experience exactly the same issues.

As for true solutions, I'm all ears, and willing to be educated about it.

Thanks. I hope you can provide some insights.
mrdecibel
3,065 posts
 
Rhanson. If you read your original post, and please do, you do not mention you had a reliability issue with your amp. You, in fact, make accolades about how wonderful your system was, including the amp, as being part of your system, but, still wanted to improve upon it. You could have indicated, without mentioning the manufacturer, it was problematic and unreliable, and that was the reason for the post. I read your post, and took your post, literally. So did others. I am moving on. Enjoy ! Mr.D.
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