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Need Amp Advice

Hey guys,

New member here but music lover for many years.
I am looking to upgrade my amps to get better sound quality and really need some help. I watch movies and listen to music daily. I would say in general, 70/30 (movies 70). I run a 5.1 setup and plan on upgrading to 7.1.4 in the future, but happy with 5.1 at the moment.
When I listen to music I only use the 802's (no sub and no multichannel music).

Currently, my setup is:

Speakers
Main speakers: B&W 802D (first Diamond)
Center: B&W HTM2D
Surrounds: Klipsch
Sub: Klipsch

Pre-amp
Marantz AV8802A

Amps
Emotiva XPA-1 monoblock x2 for the main speakers 
Emotiva XPA-3 Gen 3 for the center and surrounds

The sounds is good, it's actually more than good but I want it to be even better. I have been looking at many used amps (can not afford new ones) and wanted to ask for your opinion on the following that I have considered. I have not heard any of them with my speakers.

1. Classe CM-A600 monoblocks 
2. McIntosh MC501 monoblocks
3. I even looked at the Devialet 200 which was recommended by someone I know
4. Krell?

Do those amps make sense? Am I looking at a noticeable improvement over the Emotivas? I would love to hear from people who know and heard those amps, especially driving 802's.
I am of course open to any other suggestions as well.

Thank you in advance!

killergurt
randy-11
1,913 posts
 
audition Benchmark, and when released the new Mytek
czarivey
5,946 posts
 

I might not be sure about M-60, but some years ago I tried to test serviced Bogen 35A on my Aerial 10T speakers and after 3 hours both channel tubes turned burning bright red color similar to the tip of steel needle above the stove gas burner.

Connected it to my lab speakers b&W c201 and played it for couple of days no issue.


dweller's avatar
dweller
3,868 posts
 
Try to audition a BAT VK-255SE or Plinius SA-103. These amps will do justice to you B&Ws. Also, a Pass Labs 250.8 would be good.
killergurt OP
9 posts
 
Thank you all! 
Every time I read one of your replies I go out to research :-)
I have to admit that some of the replies went above my head (yup, Bob Reynolds, I was talking about you ;-)
On a separate note, do you guys have an opinion on the Devialet 200, one per speaker to be upgraded at a later stage (budget constraint) to the Devialet 400 (by adding a Slave unit to each).

Thank you.
killergurt OP
9 posts
 
Hey Dweller,

I found both 250.8 and 350.8 that are within my budget. 3 questions:

1. Is there an advantage to using 2 monoblocks as opposed to a stereo amp?

2. Will those 2 amps be enough in terms of power for the 802's?

3. Currently I bi-amp the speakers using the Emotivas. In the case of the Pass Labs amps I will "only" be able to bi-wire. Am I losing something significant by doing so?

thanks for your time!
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