2. amps-preamps
  3. 168440-163947

Rotel RA-1592 MK II or something else to deliver around 200W to B&W towers around $3000?

So I just purchased a pair of B&W CDM-9NT and am now going deep down the rabbit hole trying to find an amp that’s going to let these speakers sing to their fullest. I keep coming back to Rotel as the consensus appears to be that these amps pair very well with B&Ws. I was trying to keep the budget to $1000...then $1500...now I’m looking at $3000 options...I’m not willing to go up to the McIntosh prices at the moment so I’m capping myself at $3k new or used.

I was thinking that going integrated was the best option when looking at the $1500ish options. Now maybe separates would make sense at $3000?

Goals in sound are excellent imaging and separation. Strong and tight bass is a must. Music selection is mainly very bass forward genres like hip hop & EDM. I also enjoy jazz, rock and sometimes classical as the mood strikes. A must have is digital connectivity for hi-res streaming. The room is 14x18 if that matters.

Any help is appreciated.
yukispier
tweak1
3,681 posts
 
Run don’t walk to AA classifieds. Someone is selling his Audio Alchemy DDP-1/PS 5 and DPA 1. I love my DDP-1 + PS5 at a fantastic price
You can sell you current preamp. It's that good!

hth
vanson1
126 posts
 
As an electrical engineer, when i buy used i always purchase well built products. 

Parasound and McIntosh are just a couple of well built products with quality components and good customer support. 

If you have an issue with your product it makes a difference when it comes time to get it repaired or simply to get it recapped. 

Some high end small production products can be expensive to repair due to lack of company support or difficulty to repair. 

Just something to keep in mind when purchasing used. 
yukispier OP
26 posts
 
Parasound and McIntosh are just a couple of well built products with quality components and good customer support.

I had dismissed McIntosh as being beyond my budget. Is there a unit that might fit in my budget and deliver the full power I’m looking for used?
wdwasse
7 posts
 
I use a Rotel RB-1590 with 702 s2's that although different than what you are pairing them with I believe similar enough to share my experience.  If your speakers are like mine they love the juice, the more they get the better they sound in every way, I don't find the pairing in anyway problematic, quite the opposite.  For the money I have invested the return has been spectacular.  Good Luck with your search, the RA-1592, as well as the RMB-1585 I would think would be great choices for your system, the benefit of the RMB are the cooling fans and newer technology, I also think the Michi S5 would be even better, just my .02, Enjoy !  :  )
mirage-71
10 posts
 
Hello there.
     For  your budget between 1500 and $3000. An older Krell amp KAV 250 a, krell KSA  class A.  If you can find a Jeff  Rowland 125 that would be an excellent Choice .should be in that price range  too. Just my thoughts. Good luck
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