2. amps-preamps
  3. 133148-73385

Looking For A Change

I have had an Emotiva XPA2 Gen 2 for 1.5 years and have enjoyed it.  However, I'm looking to replace it with something with a bit more sonic sophistication.  I'm retired, and now have more time than money.  Accordingly, I'm looking for a quality used power amp for about $1K to $1.5K.  My preamp will continue to be an Emotiva XPS 1.  This is an exceptional preamp with a very good phono section.  My DAC is a Wyred4Sound DAC Two, and my music library is quite varied with both vinyl and digital sources.   I'm looking for about 200 Watts per channel @ 8 ohms.  Speakers consist of two sets of KEF R101's, wonderful sounding units, but a tad inefficient, along with a pair of Definitive Tech BP 2060's.  Thus, the need for power.  I am looking at the following amps:

Bryston 4b, the original model;
Brystom 4b NRB;
Musical Fidelity A 300cr;
Accuphase P-300.
Van Alstine Synergy 450
Belles 400

All of the above are within my budget target with the original Bryston 4b at the low end (it is however 27 years old, but cherry condition) and the rest clustered within the target.  The Accuphase has been recently refurbished and recapped by an authorized service center and is certified to meet published specs.  I assume all of the above will be a sonic improvement.  The XPA2 sounds very nice, but is a bit brutish with classical and choral music.  I am intrigued by the Accuphase, but it is a 30 year old amp.  Any input will be greatly appreciated.  
128x128zerobias
zerobias's avatar
zerobias OP
73 posts
 
Thanks ,one and all, for the input.  Randy-11, have you heard a Vidar yet?  I have read about them and am intrigued.  I am toying with the idea of getting 2 and running them as mono blocks if they sound quite good.
213runnin
914 posts
 
The Vidar is interesting, I was considering it and then for some reason bought a brand new Adcom amp, the 555SE.  I'm still breaking it in, but am not sure it would be the best for classical.  

One amp that would is the Parasound A21.  When I went from my XPA-3 amp to the A21, it was a solid improvement all across the board.  I remember the XPA used to give very sharp highs to the point of distortion with some music at higher volumes, something the Parasound immediately excelled at.  Used they ask around 16-1800, but the silver ones can go for cheaper.  Usually a 3 to 4 year old amp being sold as the owner wants the Parasound mono blocks.
yyzsantabarbara
4,934 posts
 
There are a lot of Bryston 4B-ST's at the $1.5K level on A'Gon.  So much so that I am surprised people have not dropped the price. Why not go up the line to the newer ST model?

I had a 4B-ST long time back and it drove my NHT 2.5 speaker to decent sound. At that time I did not realize that I would have been better to use a more mellow pre-amp with that combo since the Bryston was a little strong on top.

Some people prefer the ST line over the SST line because they find the SST line a little too mellow. I have read 1 or 2 professional reviews that stated that for the 7B-ST vs 7B-SST.

Quality wise the Bryston is made to last 50 years. 
213runnin
914 posts
 
Interesting to hear about the Bryston characteristics, I've only heard a Bryston combo once, and the speakers did not do them justice.  

My post above may not have been clear about the Halo A21.  When I mentioned it excelled at higher volumes, I meant it wasn't sharp or harsh as the Emotiva was.  
More to discover