At any price point, Audionet. Best of Solid State with definition and clarity, while also having great midrange and bass and not fatiguing
Need Advice on Amplifiers
About six months ago, I replaced my Benchmark AHB2 power amp with the Rogue Stereo 100 "Dark." While the Rogue is superb on the timbre and tonal qualities of the instruments, I seem to have lost some of the definition I had with the Benchmark. My preamp is the Rogue RP-7, which was wonderful with the Benchmark, so I am not contemplating a replacement for it. My Fine Audio F-702 floor standing speakers recommend amps up to 200 watts per channel, so I want to try something with more power--we do not listen at vey high levels, but I have found that the speakers "open up" at moderately loud levels. I have considered the Bel Canto eX1, the Brystonl 3B3, and the Van Alstine M225 mono blocs, but it then dawned on me that I was very pleased with the Benchmark, so why not try two of the AHB2's in a horizontal beam (passive) bi-amp mode to give me 200 wpc. My preamp has four sets of variable gain outputs, two XLR and two single-ended, So, comments would be appreciated on the named amplifiers and any suggestions as to alternatives I should consider in addition to these. Also, should I seriously consider the bi-amp mode with two stereo amplifiers or should I stick with one more powerful stereo amplifier? Thanks, in advance for your comments and suggestions.
In other developments, I added the Lounge Audio LCR III Gold phono preamp to my system--with the Thorens TD 126 MKII and an Audio Technica MM cartridge, and I am simply stunned by the dynamics, clarity, instrument placement, tonality, and "organic" nature of the resultant sound from a couple of my 1980s audiophile discs, including a Sheffield Lab recording of Lincoln Mayorga and an M&K 45 rpm LP of the Phrisco Phunction. Time to seek out more LPs!
- ...
- 7 posts total
Sounds like you’re not totally happy with either. I don’t think adding another Benchmark amp makes a whole lotta sense because it clearly doesn’t give you the soul of the music you get with the Rogue, so why double down on that? More Watts won’t fix that. This upgraded McCormack amp may well give you the best of both worlds while giving you the power you’re looking for. Plus, if you like what it does you could send it back to SMcAudio and do further upgrades by the original designer if you want and get even more. I do also like your thought of Van Alstine as well. I’d think you’d be thrilled with either given what you’re looking for. Great preamp BTW, and best of luck. |
- 7 posts total