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High end high quality int. amp for low level listening

Hello to all Audigon members.  I'm quite in a dilemma weather I should upgrade my amplifier. Currently I own Pathos classic one MK3 driving Sonus Faber Sonetto's speakers, and I must say I'm very happy with sound filling my 35 square meters room. However, it's known that the speakers are power hungry as they rated at 86db sensitivity and 4 ohm impedance and I think they will surely benefit from a bigger power supply. With all that being said I'm not sure if I will hear any improvement mostly because 90% of the time I listen at ~60dBs SPL. My budget is around 5k $ and these are the amplifiers I've been considering:  Hegel H390, Anthem STR, Cambridge Audio Edge A, McIntosh MA5300/MA252, Accuphase e280, Rotel Michi x3 or used Pass Labs INT 25, Mark Levinson 5805.

What do you think guys, will any of the amplifiers make ay difference at 60dB SPL ? 
celestial__sound
arcticdeth's avatar
arcticdeth
1,572 posts
 
4 Ohm and 86db. 
 Get an amp that is reliable and stable into a 4Ohm load, which has a solid power supply and will give you a good 300-400WPC into A 4 Ohm load. 
My opinion and experience. 
chorus
976 posts
 
I also listen at low levels. 55-65db. I use the Pass X25 INT with older
Tannoys rated 94 @ 4ohms. I have not heard your Pathos INT but it sounds very interesting. 
If I were you I might keep the Amp and shop for speakers that are higher
in Sensitivity at a higher ohm rating. Like some older Rogers LS 3/5As. 

Please post what you end up with and how you liked it.

celestial__sound OP
102 posts
 
This is Why Audigon is great place full of helpful audience. Thank you guys for all your feedback. It’s clear that replacing the amp will be just a side step and not a step forward. Different sound signature but not necessarily better. I guess i will invest in a better cabling and will upgrade my DAC considering that currently i own Pro-Ject DAC Box S2+. Denafrips Ares II or event Pontus comes first on my mind :)
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,864 posts
 
Something like that makes more sense. Those recommendations for a more sensitive speaker or a higher powered amp still have me scratchin’ my head!
itsjustme
683 posts
 
I think you need to back up and ask more fundamental questions.  First, is there any evidence of the amp reaching clipping (or coming near)?  if no, and if you are listening at -60 dB i doubt it, there ought to be little if no benefit.  heck, get a multi meter, get an average rms value and assume a peak:average ratio of 10.
Second point, think about the system balance My opinion is that the Sonos Fabers can be bright and a bit harsh. Tubes, or tubey solid sate will help that.  You may be giving up a lot to speculate on a possible, but unlikely, benefit.
You mention a bigger power supply.  Back to that 10:1 i mentioned above - most amps clip due to voltage limits, not current limits since the capacitors in the power supply can deliver power for momentary creschendos. Caveat: if you play mostly compressed "head banger" rock this is not really true.
Move slowly and do your homework.  You'll et too many suggestions on how to spend your money rather than whether you ought to in the first place, IMNSHO.

G(the guy trying to finish his integrated amp design LOL)
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