2. amps-preamps
  3. 151271-109343

Which stereo amp to try under $30k

Having just made several upgrades to my system, it's now time for the amp. Given the number of amps in the 15-30k range, I'm guessing many of you have experiences with them. To get started, I'll tell you my (1) my guidance (2) my current list of options (3) My current setup. Looking forward to getting more options on my list, as I'd like to pull the trigger in about 2 months and need to start listening.

My Guidance
- Under $30k
- I need to be able to hear the amp before purchase, preferably at a local shop (SF Bay Area)
- New or used ok
- Large sound stage
- Bass
- More Bass... all the bass
- Very much prefer stereo to fit in my rack. I have small children and not enough room for monos.
- Prefer not tubes (already have a tube line stage - too hot for small children and don't fit in rack)
- I'm ok with a colored sound. Prefer musicality and realism over "accuracy" or "neutrality"
- Needs an absolute minimum of 150W based on how loud I listen
- 15/20A or something I can plug into a regular wall outlet

My Current List of options
- Luxman M900u (current top of list)
- Ayre VX-R Twenty
- Pass Labs XA160.8 (doesn't meet all of my guidance)
- Boulder 2160 (a little above budget)
- Audio Research 160S (doesn't meet all of my guidance)

My Current Setup
- AMG Viella Turbo Turntable w/ Koetsu Onyx Platinum Cartridge
- Boulder 508 Phono Stage
- Mytek Manhattan II DAC (next upgrade after the amp - maybe a dCS Bartok?)
- Audio Research Reference 6 line stage
- McIntosh MC452 power amplifier
- B&W 802D3 speakers
- AudioQuest and Nordost cabling or a Symposium Osiris rack

What I listen to: Anything from the 60s on vinyl, some things from the 70s on vinyl. A lot of large orchestral and jazz, also a fair amount of pop, from any decade, on vinyl and digital. Thanks for reading my long post! I'll keep this thread updated with amps I hear. Lots of great shops in the area. My two favorites are The Analog Room in Campbell and Music Lovers Audio in Oakland and SF.
Ag insider logo xs@2xmayoradamwest
douglas_schroeder
3,281 posts
 
mayoradamwest, have you ever tried DAC (either integrated, or dedicated with software attenuation) direct to amp(s)? 

It's right around a $30K question. 

It's also a pertinent question considering the vast influence of system build out on sound.   

(Forgive my impertinence in not reading all posts; this may have been addressed earlier) 
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mayoradamwest OP
430 posts
 
 @jackaro  that’s a really great data point, thanks. I was eyeing a used set of 750 SE I had seen for a great price but I had this feeling in a back to back test, SS would really crush the tubes on clarity. It seems like I probably made the right choice with the tube preamp. Will definitely look in to the options you mentioned. Thanks!
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mayoradamwest OP
430 posts
 
@douglas_schroeder I have not considered it
for a couple reasons. First, is that the Mytek seems to have this tendency to jump the volume around based on my computer’s settings and I just know I am going to blow out a speaker if I trust it. Second, when I do replace the Mytek with the Rossini, I’ll probably try it, but need a preamp regardless for the phono side which is, if anything, more important to me. I do appreciate the suggestion and will definitely try it with the dCS. 
ps
757 posts
 
@joecasey
PS posed: The eternal question: "When is good enough good enough?"
Joe Casey says Never!!!
***************************************
Ah, Mr. Casey, "Never!!!" you say? - therein lies a path to eternal dissatisfaction. Or worse.
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,935 posts
 
You should check out Marks review of Rossini 2.0 on The Audio Beat and his sidebar on analog preamp functionality and at least four possible solutions. I have both the excellent sounding WADIA 17 and 4000 along with Ayre A2D and the 2.0 might be next for me IF it can displace the Pandora Sig and Ref5se
yes I am very aware the RS has no turbos, my point was more along the lines of the relationship between tracking and the relative insanity of racing..,Porsche treat turbos as consumables under CPO
ref 650 and 750 are midrange magic machines and tube salesman dream
system synergy is everything
have fun

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