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Suggestions for medium priced Power amp and Pre-Amp Combo's

I have a pair of very good Magna plane type speakers and would like to build a system to power them.  I have always wamted an amp/pre-amp set-up, probably tube, but that is where I want your help.  I love Jazz and want to hear the instruments.  I want clean sound.  But I would like to keep the combo under $2K if possible, but more importantly, reach that quality level that maximizes sound quality without getting ridiculous on price.  Like buying a low end BMW, still getting the performance, but not at huge cost.  My listening space is very bright acoustically.  Thank you!

dclthiker
russ69's avatar
russ69
3,506 posts
 
First, what model loudspeakers do you have. Second, tube amps are more costly than solid state. Your budget really isn't enough for an amp driving Magnepans. 
johnto
1,023 posts
 
Parasound Hint integrated used should be available for under 2K. John Curl design worked magic with my Maggie 1.7 speakers.
Good luck
mofojo
2,291 posts
 
As mentioned Parasound and also Odyssey Audio come to mind as reasonable options that are on the warmer side of the spectrum. Add a tube preamp. For new you could look at a standard Odyssey Stratos for $1,400 or a used Parasound A21 for probably around the same price if you are patient. Always a few for sale so they may be negotiable. 

Add a new Schiit Saga+ tube preamp for $400 and you are rockin or spend a few hundred more for a Schiit Freya. I have to confess I have not personally heard any Schiits but I am considering ordering the Freya +. They seem to get rave reviews at their price points. 

As others mentioned an integrated would be a good option as well. 

Agreed in your price range probably not going get full tube amp that is going to do any justice to Maggie type speaker. 
auxinput
2,920 posts
 
The Odyssey Audio amps are actually not warm at all.  They are very high resolution and fast responding.  The Odyssey Khartago base model at $995 would likely be a very excellent option (just keep in mind that it's a manual turn on and does not have a remote trigger input).

The Parasound amps are definitely voiced very slightly on the warm side.  Though I would describe the high frequencies as dry sounding as well as being softened/rolled off.

Schiit Freya is likely an excellent budget tube preamp suggestion.  If you did this, I would go with the Odyssey Khartago amp.  It sets you up for tube sound and you can try different tubes in the future for tuning your sonic signature.
mofojo
2,291 posts
 
I had a Stratos + in the early 2000s then an Extreme a couple years ago. I found that you could set the bias higher for a slightly “warmer” sound and lower for a little bit leaner and faster sound. I ran mine on the upper end of the high safe recommendation. 
Last one I had I blew the damn thing up doing the bias! Shorted out something with the meter. 
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