@mklinkma
When your Ohms are delivered and you have a few hours on them, make sure to come back and post a review.
When your Ohms are delivered and you have a few hours on them, make sure to come back and post a review.
Options for integrateds for Ohm Walsh Tall 2000s?
@mklinkma When your Ohms are delivered and you have a few hours on them, make sure to come back and post a review. |
Check out Belles Aria integrated. I have one and like it quite a bit. I had an AnthemI225 right before it. The Anthem is a heckuva amp for around $600. They have great power and sound pretty good. If anyone has one and is interested, I have 3 SR Blue fuses for the Anthem. PM me if interested. I’d consider Rega, Hegel, Belles, and maybe Kinki Studios. Rogue Sphinx and Ragnarok as well |
I have Walsh 2-100S3 like Mapman, the equivalent of what you are getting. Got original 2s and John updated them for me 7 years ago. I run mine variously with a Marantz PM8005 or a McIntosh MC250 updated by Terry DeWick. I have them in a space that is about 12 x 24 with vaulted ceilings from 9 feet to 26. Both amps will fill the space with music well under normal listening and also when I crank them up to play electric blues along with the music. I like the Mc marginally better for the synergy that seems to be in place but each amp brings something different to the mix. I have also used an ATI 1502 on the Ohms, which delivers 150 WRMS and lots of current. It was VERY good even though the preamp I had then was maybe a little bright. More current is definitely a plus with the Ohms. I have heard the Yamahas and was impressed but not taken with the looks. I personally am looking to upgrade myself and get down to 1 system, probably an integrated vs separates just to due to space issues and a need for a remote due to a bad back. I would keep the Marantz in an office system. I am looking at Belles Aria or possibly a Mac integrated. The Mac would be out of your range but you can get the Belles for under $2k. I have heard the other Reference line PM integrateds and liked them too. If you can get a deal on a Ken Ishiwata model you would probably love it. There is also a Sony ES integrated that came out a few years ago that is exceptional. A friend has it and it is very nice. Runs Class A for part of the initial wattage so it runs hot but it sounded great thru his Dynacos. I have not played it thru Ohms. |
@b_limo the Belles Soloist was one I *almost* bought, was just a little late in making up my mind. I have read and heard that the Aria sounds beautiful, but I wasn't sure that there were enough watts to drive the Ohms. Any advice or experience with the Belles driving a relatively inefficient speaker in a large space? @joekapahulu really helpful comments, thanks! Sounds like your space is roughly similar to mine in terms of cubic feet. You were happy with the Marantz 8005 in driving the Ohms? And you think the Aria at roughly the same wattage as the Marantz will also work for you? I love the idea of an integrated made by a person in the US who backs his product, that's one reason the Belles sounds good - just that it may not be a major upgrade from the 8004 in terms of power or current. Rogue Sphinx was on my list for the same reason. I also confess that I am really appreciating the Marantz sound as I continue to listen more critically, so your thinking about the Marantz Reference line resonates. I'm keeping my eyes open for those, too. |
..and yep, the Macs are probably out of my price range..especially if I have to eventually 'fess up on the price to my better half. So far she is amused by this quest and approved of the choice of the Ohms - even actively helping choose the veneer - but if I totally blow the budget to 'overachieve' on a new integrated amp, she won't stay amused. |