2. amps-preamps
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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
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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mayoradamwest OP
430 posts
 
@tomic601 thanks for pointing me towards that review. It confirms what I was hoping, that the Rossini is a DAC with nearly no peers. As for using it as a preamp, I’m not sold. I like the sound of the Ref 6 and can’t really picture myself going through the trouble of doing a pointless A2D and D2A for my TT, which is the thing I listen to the most, by a wide margin.
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,474 posts
 
I try to buy American..   easier to send back to the manufacturer for repair.
ps
757 posts
 
@mayoradamwest

I find this thread mildly fascinating.

To reiterate what others have asked: what is it you feel you’re missing and what is it that you’re hoping to find? Furthermore, why is $30K, for an amplifier, your "magic number?" Can you articulate how the level of your existing system relates to the level of musical enjoyment you derive when you sit down and simply listen to that system? Do you wonder how much more enjoyable it would, could, might be, how much better it would sound, if only you had the perfect amp?

I mean no disrespect, and I ask out of curiosity. And I do wish you luck on your journey.




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mayoradamwest OP
430 posts
 
Like everyone else, improvement in sound. Musicality, clarity, bass speed, and sound stage. With the Boulder phono and Amp with Transparent Reference cables, I think I will be set up pretty neutral for any other changes I would want to make in the future like cartridges and speakers. That said, I want to make sure I hear lots of options. 
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