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New Amp Choice

I am not sure what is left for a tangible improvement, but I am looking at trying at least one additional amp. I stared with high end receivers, but then bough a McIntosh MA7900 nearly 4 years ago along with Golden Ear Triton Ones. I find the the sound quite good though I had a low end Pioneer receiver once with some surround type Bose speakers, hisses noted, and they had a quality off whipping the sound while moving around me that I really liked. My current system which I described, is much cleaner and detailed, but there was an enveloping aspect that I still miss. Maybe a new amp will not supply any of this as it is a quality of the speaker, but I wondered if a tube amp has such a quality. I may purchase a pair of Bose 301's just to test, but I am still minded to try another higher end amp and to be clear while I likded that aspect of the Bose my current setup is in most regards more pleasing.

The contenders are:

Pass Labs Int-250
Musical Fidelity M8xi
Line Magnetic  LM-845IA   
Line Magnetic LM-845 Premium

The Luxman 509x was of interest, but they gimped the headphone output. 

nick63
thecarpathian
4,350 posts
 
Thanks for the response. I will find a forum with hopefully greater input.
Waited a whole 3.5 hours.
jasonbourne52's avatar
jasonbourne52
2,863 posts
 
A two-channel.amp will never give you an "enveloping" effect! I have a Kenwood unit with its own two-channel amp and various front panel settings for "large hall", " night club", "cathedral" ... used with a pair of speakers placed on the sides or rear. A modern version of the old Audio Pulse. I don't use it at present because I prefer my stereo listening unadulterated! But you sure can have some fun with a reverb unit like this! I suggest you buy one like the Kenwood and a small pair of speakers. Then experiment with the room placement to find a setup that you find pleasing! PS. I bought the Kenwood at my local Goodwill - $15!
russ69's avatar
russ69
3,500 posts
 
Nick,

A good soundstage is produced by good loudspeakers and proper placement. I'm guessing your placement is the limiting factor at the moment. 
mofojo
2,289 posts
 
I much preferred high wattage ss when I had the triton ones. Had a few different ones and liked the Odyssey Stratos the best with them. Even though they have the powered subs they really take on the character of the amp. 
nick63 OP
4 posts
 
Just to be clear, the Bose are not in the same league with the Golden ears obviously. That said, I used the Bose with good receivers and the GE's with the Mac so the GE's have better amplification. What I considered at the time was I was using the Bose very nearfield beside my chair maybe 20 inches either side of me and the movement of the sound around me was special. Maybe I am asking for something that can only be done by a speaker of that types placed as they were. As much as I liked it I would lose to much in other qualities to go back. I like the idea of the best of both. My room is around 18 x14 x 8  and my setup does not lend itself to  too much in placement changes. Thank each of you for your replies. I am considering the tube amp suggestion as I have been curious about how they compare to a good SS amp.  
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