2. amps-preamps
  3. 159517-149745

Amp to drive Verdant Nightshade 1

On Friday I bought a pair of Verdant Nightshade 1s and am already thinking I need to upgrade my amp.  I currently have a Rega Brio R and like it a lot but know that it is not giving me everything I can get from these speakers.  I demo'd the speakers with my Brio but heard them at the end with a Marantz integrated and it sounded much better but in a short sitting.  

An old bit of advice I received was to spend about 50% of the value of the speakers on amplification.  This means I want to spend $3K-$4K.  The Brio has plenty of power to drive these so I don't need more power, I am just looking for a better amp.  

Because the Rega is warmer, the guy at Verdant suggested that I look at AVM. I had never heard of it but a little research showed me they make some really expensive stuff and some more modest stuff.  He said they are refreshing the line and he doesn't have samples yet but will be getting them.  

Thoughts on AVM?  What about Marantz since I heard that it sounded really good?  Or what about I just upgrade to an Elicit R?  Do the higher end Rega amps sound better, or are they just more powerful?  Any other suggestions?  The integrated does need to have a built in phono stage. 

I am not interested in any tube gear.  I will buy something on a return policy so it is okay if I can't listen to it locally.  
sunujing
verdantaudio's avatar
verdantaudio
1,500 posts
 
The OP and I have been e-mailing directly which is why I hadn't posted previously.  

I am suggesting AVM strictly because of the sound profile.  It is smoother and a bit warmer than Musical Fidelity or Chord which are the other brands I carry.  They are in the middle of a line refresh and will have new A30.3 integrated coming sometime in the next few months.  I am going to be bringing in a CS2.3 which is an all-in-one but will show off the sound character of AVM.  

Outside of AVM I would look at Marantz.  The PM-14s1 or even the Ki-Ruby would fit your budget.  The PM-14s1 is a fine choice but has been discontinued and you would probably need to get that used.  I have not heard the PM-Ki Ruby but there was another thread out here comparing the Ki Ruby to MF and it should meet your needs.

Normally I would recommend Rogue but you don't want tubes.  You could also look at Pass, Naim and maybe Arcam.  I don't know any of those lines well enough to recommend a particular unit but I know their sound profiles should be closer to what you are looking for.  

I don't have an answer to your question on Rega but can reach out to the distributor and ask.  It is the same distributor that sells Chord.  
chayro
3,000 posts
 
Personally, I would live with the speaker for a couple of months, break it in, get used to the sound and then shop for an amplifier if you feel the need.  But that's me. 
stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,428 posts
 
You could also look at T & A, they make integrateds which have gotten excellent reviews.  They may be pricey however. 
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,318 posts
 
There's a blazing deal right now on Audiogon of the Belles Aria preamp and monoblocks.  Think of it as a three-box integrated.  They would definitely have the sound profile you're looking for, and the required power.
sunujing OP
10 posts
 
@chayro  The speakers were demos from a review.  They are broken in.  

@stereo5 t&a looks awesome but seems to be above my budget.  

@twoleftears Three boxes is annoying.  Looks like nice equipment, but it's three boxes that it looks like you shouldn't stack.  That is a challenge for me simply because of space.  

Also checking out NAD M32 and going to visit a dealer in CT that has Naim.  
More to discover