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Help me choosing an Integrated Amp

Hello everyone,
long time reader, first post here.
Sorry if my english is not perfect, it’s not my mother language.

Long story:

I have an electrostatic headphone system right now, because I didn’t have the necessary space to have a dedicated room for speakers, I think that the most important aspect in sound quality is room acoustics, so why spend money if I can’t have optimum acoustics? That’s why I have a headphone system right now.
But, story changes, I bought a flat last week, and will do reforms to have a listening room (6 meters x 4 meters x 2,5 meters).
My current setup is (besides modded Stax SR-007A and KGSSHV Carbon CC amplifier):

- Metrum Pavane DAC
- Custom 0db PC, Asus RT-AC88U router & MCRU linear PSU for router.
- Full Ansuz X Cable loom and Mainz X-TC.
- Furutech FWS (R) Schuko Outlet.
- Sonore MicroRendu & Sonore Signature PSU (with SR fuses)

My speakers will be Strauss Elektroakustik SE MOD 901, they’re not very well known but they’re awesome, transient response is lighting fast, almost like my Stax headphones, plus they’re super coherent, seamless. I fell in love with the speakers.
Room acoustics will be done by Strauss himself, so the last link is an integrated amplifier (for budget and price/performance reasons).
The speakers are not very sensitive, they’re rated at 85db and recommended power is 20 to 160w at 8ohm.

Due to budget reasons, I will try to buy second hand or ex-demo, so not possible to audition the amplifiers.
I don’t like tubes, for me, the ideal amp should be pure class A (if possible), dual mono, fully balanced with no negative feedback (if possible). Ideal "sound signature" would be balanced, very natural without glare, huge soundstage and details presented in a natural manner, I don’t like hyped top end, the speakers are VERY neutral and accurate, so they will expose negative qualities of the amp like a magnifying glass.
This is the list:

- Audio GD Master 10 (Class A/B, 250w at 8ohm)
- Gryphon Atilla (Class A/B, 100w at 8ohm)
- Accuphase E-600 (Class A, 30w at 8ohm)
- Pass Labs INT-30A (Class A, 30w at 8ohm)
- Electrocompaniet ECI 5 MK2 (Class A or A/B???, 120w at 8ohm)
- Ayre AX-5 Twenty (Class A/B, 125w at 8ohm)
- Constellation Inspiration Integrated 1.0 (Class A/B, 100w at 8ohm)

I like to listen music between 70-85db (not too loud) and the room will be 24 square meters, is a 30w pure class A amp enought for the speakers or should I buy a more powerful class A/B?
Which amp is better?


pitomazogordo
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,300 posts
 

Have you ever heard a good Class D amplifier?


If not I’d recommend considering that as an option if you want top notch sound at any volume with those inefficient speakers. Rowland and Bel Canto make excellent Class D amps.

Or if low volume is all you need for certain kinds of music requiring less power to deliver the goods, then the lower watt Class A option is a good one.

There may be more powerful Class A amps that can match the output capability of a good Class D amp but total cost of ownership will be much higher with any Class A amp especially when power bills are factored in.

Just pointing out the options. All have advantages and disadvantages. No one approach has it all but I find Class D done well to offer the fewest compromises overall, if any practically these days really. Its where things are going.

I'd expect that with a lower watt option, Class A or otherwise, you will never know what your speakers are truly capable of, if that is something that matters to you.   Everyone is different when it comes to these things.

sbank's avatar
sbank
3,379 posts
 
For 85db speaker, 30w is not a good choice. From your list, I like Pass in general, but you will need a bigger one. Another brand that meets your description and is great sounding is ASR. 
Since you know the speaker designer, ask what he has heard successful with them. 
Also, VAC is great, but they are tube amps. Cheers,
Spencer 
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
Did you have price constraints?
Is there a reason you left the Pass Labs INT-60 off your list?

I think for those speakers, in that size room, 30 wpc may not be sufficient. Even Pass Labs website recommends speakers with at least 87 db sensitivity for their INT-30A.
The INT-60 still gives you almost 30 wpc of Class A power, then slides into Class AB to give you 60 wpc if needed.
pitomazogordo OP
3 posts
 
Thanks guys for all the answers!!! :)

Dind’t know about Pass Labs INT-60...this one looks like the real deal.
Here in Europe costs 12.000€ (ouch), my budget is more or less 6.000 to 8.000€, I’ll try to get a discount or a ex demo unit. 60 watts in pure class A integrated amp by Pass Labs...mmm so good to be true :D
Gryphon Atilla also looks like a dream.
Ag insider logo xs@2x
islandmandan
1,260 posts
 
In addition to the comment regarding Class D, I decided to try Class D, out of curiosity, more than anything. I know, in this context, what I'm about to say will sound ridiculous, but I bought a Class D Audio kit, and eventually added another amp module, and run the two in bridged mono, for 500 Wpc.

The point being, my Tannoy HPD speakers have never sounded better. Last night, Sara Vaughan and orchestra sounded nearly like they were in the room with me.

The ridiculous part of this is, I've invested a total of $550-$600 in the amp. Now, I'm not suggesting you do what I did, but it's just an example of how good even inexpensive Class D can sound. I've owned many fine amps over the years, and this is the best any system of mine has ever sounded.

Something to think about, and perhaps investigate. Best of luck in your search.

Regards,
Dan
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