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So Hard to Decide on an Amp

Hey,

So lately I have been thinking about getting an Amp and using my existing Vincent SV-500 Hybrid Integrated as a Pre-Amp.

I have inquired about some amps in other threads but it just seems so hard to decide as to what will have good Synergy with my system.

Wish I could try out all the Amps that I am thinking about but that would be quite difficult.

The one that is at the top of my list (mind you I haven't personally heard any of these, just going on reviews) is the Pass Labs XA25.

But am also considering the Parasound A21+ and A23+, Benchmark AHB2 and Mystere PA21.

All of have received good reviews and comments from folks.

I suppose the Parasound, especially the A21+ would provide the best Base Response but the others would also be quite worthy.

Tomorrow, I have a Technics SL-G700 SACD Player arriving and so I will be playing with that for a little bit to see if I like it (I am pretty confident I will). My current Denon DVD Bluray Player which I was using has been acting up and I decided it was time for an upgrade.

But soon after, I think I want to try an amp. Not that I really need it, the Vincent satisfies but I am just curious to what an Amp can bring to the table in my system.

Thanks

Jay
128x128jay73
jay73's avatar
jay73 OP
219 posts
 
@speakermaster,

Could you expand on that, regarding the impedance mismatching?

chorus
976 posts
 
I had the XA25 and loved it. Traded up to INT 25.  Buy a used XA25
with warranty remaining for about $3k. If you hate it they resell in minutes. Reno Hifi used to have demo and used stock but with no
new gear that used supply may be gone too.

Heard great things about Coda too. 

Does ML have any suggestions?
jay73's avatar
jay73 OP
219 posts
 
@chorus,

Thanks for your reply.

I have been looking for used XA25's but nothing close to $3K so far.

What Pre-Amp did you use with the XA25?

Compared to your existing setup, do you feel the Int25 is a big step up?

My understanding is that the amp in the INT25 is the same as XA25.
lewm
12,556 posts
 
jay73, I did expand upon speakermaster's cryptic comment about impedance.  See my post at 1:15 PM today, 05-08.  If you have further questions, I will be happy to respond.
helomech
1,525 posts
 
I’d like to know more about the Crown amplifier, because it has been decades since I have heard or read about any new products under the Crown imprimatur. For example, are they class D amplifiers? Some people just categorically dislike class D amplifiers. I am not necessarily one of them, because I have not heard enough different ones to develop a general opinion. The same question might apply with regard to the Benchmark amplifiers.
I often see the Benchmark included in discussions of class D amplifiers. Is that because it’s lightweight and uses a switching power supply? It’s a class AB-H amplifier. It exhibits none of the high frequency distortion of the antiquated class D amps and less distortion than the cleanest class A amps. With possible exception of the Purifi Eigentakt, it’s really in a class of its own when it comes to objective performance. It’s the closest one can get to a “straight wire with gain.” Practically speaking, it’s only limited by the quality of the sources and/or preamplifier, and its maximum power output. 
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