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This is for Georgehifi especially but others can chime in.

I am buying Dynaudio C-1 Platinums and would like an ideal amp. Which would you choose? I prefer solid state. Separates or integrated. If you could recommend a few optimum choices that would be great. Based on my short couple years on here you strike me as very knowledgable on the subject. My dealer wants me on Pass Labs. Incidentally right now I have the Devialet 400 and I’m pretty sure you are not a fan of this type of amp. Any of your wisdom is appreciated. Thanks, Mike

bubba12
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georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
 I've noticed the same approach by a couple of other manufacturers and also found their stereo amps sound more musical than their comparably power monos.

Yes a few disadvantages happens with bridging a stereo amp, while you get more 8ohm wattage the drive-ability into low impedance's is greatly diminished.
The damping factor (output impedance) of the amp is raised, therefore not having as good control over the bass.
And the other is the distortion of the amp increases, and I believe also the noise.

Cheers George
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georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
bubba12

Why not stick with the Devialet 400 which you have, or the Pass Labs you said you could get?

BTW which Pass Labs was it? All are good.

Cheers George
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bubba12 OP
469 posts
 
I’ve sold  the Devialet 400. Frankly,I didn’t like it. I may still buy the Pass Labs and it would probably be 260.8 mono with the xp-12 preamplifier. In the mean time I got a decent deal on the Odyssey gear and figured I would see how pleased I could be on the cheap. I’m pretty certain that the Pass Labs are the end game but damn! So much money.
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bubba12 OP
469 posts
 
Right now I have a borrowed XA 25 which is a little short on the power the Dynaudios would like. I think It’s great if you have easily driven speakers.
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georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
bubba12 OP160 posts01-26-2018 10:07amI’ve sold the Devialet 400. Frankly,I didn’t like it.
Doesn’t surprise me, I’ve yet to hear a class-D yet that’s sounded right in the upper mids/highs, either too rolled off, soft, cold or harsh depending on the switching frequencies filter’s filtering characteristics. Great in the bass and upper bass though.

Yes the XA25 is a little short on power, should sound very nice (being high bias Class-A series) from low to medium levels.
Also it’s gain is only 20dB so an active preamp with bit of gain is needed to partner with it.

The XA60.8 would be my pick for you, still the high bias series, and should have enough power for the  Dynaudio C-1 's, and it's a higher gain than the XA25 at 26db so you could get away with a passive preamp and save a stack on money.   

Cheers George
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