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Recommended solid state amp for user with tinnitus

Hello all,

I'm 58 and been a music lover since my teens. Through a variety of jobs in noisy work environments (metal working), target shooting, loud rock in my teens, etc., etc., I have been a sufferer of tinnitus for many years.

I am finding the 20-year old Martin-Logan Stylos speakers in my home theater are aggravating the tinnitus. I am replacing them as the front left-right mains in my home theater with the new Monitor Audio Gold 300's (gen 5 2019), along with a PS Audio DirectStream DAC. My  Marantz AV7702mkII home theater processor will be the preamp for 2-channel playback. The speakers use a MPD (Micro Pleated Diaphram) high-frequency transducer for the tweeter,  90 dB Sensitivity (1W@1m) • 4 Ohms Nominal Impedance • 3.5 Ohms @1 kHz Minimum Impedance, 250 Watts Power Handling (RMS) • 100 - 250 Watts Recommended Amplifier Requirements (RMS).

I was looking for a solid state amp in the $2000 - $5000 range that would work well with the Gold 300 speakers and keep the sound warm and non-fatiguing with good resolution. Any suggestions are welcome and appreciated. I'm wondering if McIntosh might be suited for my situation(?). Any suggestions for solid state are welcome.

In my office, I have a PrimaLuna HP tube amp, PS Audio DirectStream DAC and Monitor Audio PL100 monitors, and they tend to be much easier on my ears and tinnitus issue. I do NOT want a tube amp for my system that I am asking for recommendations on, no way to place it in my cabinetry.

Thank you in advance,
Sam
128x128samster777
rodge827's avatar
rodge827
619 posts
 
The Digital Amplifier Company (DAC) makes very warm and smooth sounding digital amps that will fit your budget. I have had tinnitus most of my life and now at 55 it has gotten a little worse but I can still hear as good as I did 30 years ago. Go figure? I’m currently using a DAC Stereo Maraschino connected to a pair of Charney Audio Maestro horns with Omega RS7 drivers. The RS7 is a slightly softer and rounder sound than the Voxativ drivers Charney offers. No fatigue issues here just sweet sounding music. DAC offers a no frills 30 day return policy. You’ll only be out the shipping each way if you decide to return them. Hope this helps.
R
jmolsberg's avatar
jmolsberg
467 posts
 
@rodge827 seems like some really solid advise. How was the transition from tubes to the maraschino with the rs7 driver? 
rodge827's avatar
rodge827
619 posts
 
How was the transition from tubes to the maraschino with the rs7 driver?
Very easy, each type of amplification has its own character. There some attributes about the DAC amp I like better than the tubes and vice versa. Truth is I’m very satisfied with both amps. I have an upgraded ANK L3/4 preamp and ANK 300b Interstage mono blocks that I listen with as well. I leave the DAC amp on 24/7 and connected to a Sparkler S503 cd player. I do it this way this time of the year since I’m extremely busy with work and can only listen in blips and blurbs. Things usually slow down some in the Fall/Winter when the tube gear is primarily used since I have the time to warm it up and have longer listening sessions. Lately though I’ve been leaning towards selling off my tube gear and sticking with the DAC amp it’s that good!
https://www.cherryamp.com/
jmolsberg's avatar
jmolsberg
467 posts
 
I'd really like to hear the cherry. I've always been worried about over-dampening the lightweight, in my case, rs5 driver. 
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
DAC is going to make a set of amplifiers for audition in your own home. Tim promised to notify me when they are ready.
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