2. amps-preamps
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Sideways move?

I currently have a pair of Tannoy Legacy Ardens (sensitivity 93) and love them. I am running them with a Decware Zen Torii M5 with bypass mods. They sound wonderful together... But... the 25 watts from the Zen Torii just isn't enough to properly do justice to the Ardens, after tube rolling and finding the right output tubes (KT66).

Since I am relatively happy, I was thinking of several options:

1) Get a pair of Devore O/96's (I'm never going to part with the Tannoys)

2) Sell the Decware and get an LTA z40+ or a Luxman 509X

I love the Decware, but I think selling it and the tubes I've stashed for it, might make it possible to go up another rung...

Thank you,

Steve

sbrogdon
sbrogdon OP
9 posts
 

The Horning Hybrid Zeus looks really interesting.

The Circle Labs 200A, at $9000, looks like it is competitive, but reviews have been a little tepid. I hate buying based on reviews, but it's where we are.

I think I might just have to wait, save up, and then A/B a few things with the current system, with them hopefully allowing break-in or audition, and see what falls out. If I sell the Decware I want it to be a slam dunk.

Anyone with experience with the LTAz40+ or the Luxman 509X?

Thanks everyone,

Steve

ozzy62's avatar
ozzy62
3,150 posts
 

From my experience with Decware, I say buy more efficient speakers. There is something about the sound of a Decware amp when it's properly matched to the speaker.

 

 

gestalt's avatar
gestalt
190 posts
 

re: Circle Labs A200: here is a thread on Audiogon with owners sharing their opinions: https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/circle-labs-a200-integrated-amplifier-review-it-will-appeal-to-both-t

 

It also won the Positive Feedback Writers’ Choice Award 2021, and is on Part Time Audiophile’s list of Best Integrated Amplifiers.

russ69's avatar
russ69
3,516 posts
 

They sound wonderful together... 

Can I throw this out there? There is no perfect hi-fi system, until you get a giant and very expensive system, they all have their limitations. Is there any way you can live with your power limitations? I had a system that could not play loud or BIG, after I sold it, I realized it was a mistake, it was a perfectly fine system and I let it go. 

sbrogdon OP
9 posts
 

Thanks guys, this has been really helpful. I think I'm going to wait and try to score some more highly efficient speakers off the used market and experiment.

The Decware amp is something special and with such a potentially long wait to replace it... It would hurt bad to sell it and then have to purchase the Zen Mystery Amp and get it 15 months later.

I have my Denon SS, old trusty, which is class A and does fine, with reduced sound stage, But OK for metal.

Hard to beat Ben Webster blowing dirty on his reeds over the Decware, it's just that at the highest volume, it is pleasant, but sometimes you just want that little bit more...

Best and thanks again,

Steve

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