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Integrated Amp ideas for Dynaudio Special 40's

Looking for some ideas on integrated amps for my special 40's. I'm currently using a Peachtree Decco65 to drive these, but my sense is that it's not doing them justice.. Would prefer to use an all-in-one integrated (including DAC), but also open to other ideas.

I'm considering the Peachtree 220se--any opinions on whether this would be a noticeable upgrade to the Decco65?  Also curious about the Nuprime ida-8 and Hegel H80/H90... Would like to keep budget under $1500, and willing to buy used/demo/refurbished as well. Any other ideas much appreciated--
colinga
jazzfan67
50 posts
 
NAD M32 for sure
stevehuff
43 posts
 
This is now old but I have the S40's and love them. I have tested them with a slew of integrated amps. Here is how they rank, the ones I tried...

1. BEST - Luxman 590 AXII - Only 60 watts into 4 ohms but wow Magic here. 
2. NEXT BEST - Octave V40 SE with KT88's and NOS driver and input tubes. Only 40 watts but sounds more powerful than the Luxman and my old 300 WPC McIntosh. Amazing amp with these speakers. 
3. FANTASTIC  - If you want a more romantic sound with amazing holographic imaging, the Raven Audio Nighthawk or Blackhawk VIII are fantastic with the S40's. 


POOR: Anything McIntosh. They do not work well with these speakers. Too dull. I tested these with an 8000 Integrated at 300 WPC that cost $10k. The Amps above sound much better. 

Average: PS Audio Sprout 100. Better than the McIntosh in sound but a tad weak in the bass. Not recommended for optimal quality. 

SLOPPY: I tested 2-3 cheap china made amps from Amazon..noisy, weak, flabby and one failed. Blah. 

These speakers want CURRENT much more than watts. They crave QUALITY over grunt force. Avoid class D with these. Class A is best but A/B is also wonderful. They LOVE tubes in the 40 WPC range. 


ryder
1,684 posts
 
Steve, I read some of your reviews on your own website especially the one on the Luxman L-590AXII prior to purchasing the amp. Although I don't own the Dynaudio S40, I find the Luxman Class A amp to be very good indeed. I switched from a costlier Naim pre/power separates to this Luxman integrated and it does a considerably better job driving some Marten Duke 2 speakers.
Post removed 
llou_sfx
1 posts
 

I have the Special 40 and two amps. 

Hegel H95 - 60W

Pass Labs int-25 - 25W

Sound is so much better with Pass Labs, even if it is half less powerful on paper. Pass Labs int-25 is such a robust and marvelous amp...

Hegel H95, doesn't run in the same league, and the 30 more Watt do not help in any way. Sound is dull and flat compared to the other Class A amp. Anyway, working & driving well the special 40.

Hope this helps ! (even if an old thread....)

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