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Looking for 200 watt Amp to drive Dynaudio Heritage speakers

Hi Everyone - 

BACKGROUND 


A few years ago, during Covid and after having worked for so many years without really treating myself to a sound system, I took the plunge and started purchasing audio equipment. Unfortunately, I was a terribly uninformed audio buyer and dove in with some purchases that were not terribly well considered. Oh well. 

So here we are today... I have a pair of Dynaudio Heritage Special speakers that I was considering selling.

The Dynaudio Heritage Special speakers require power to open up. Driven at 100 watts, they sound a little anemic and the treble dominates at lower levels. So they ended up in the closet for the last year with plans to sell them. In retrospect, the dealer I purchased them suggested a lower wattage amp than was advisable. 

For my primary system, I'm now running QLN Prestige Three speakers with a Conrad Johnson Classic 120 EL34 amp, LTA Microzotl preamp, Merason DAC1 and Innuos Zenith. The sound of this system is wonderful - ethereal, nuanced, great soundstage and imaging. Very relaxing combo. 

I'm thinking of cycling the Dynaudio into circulation for a few months a year to change things up. I'm looking for a 200 Watt Solid State Amp. But here's the thing, I'm getting older and lugging heavy things around - especially when stairs are part of the equation - is terribly unappealing. 50-55 pounds is pretty much my limit right now.  

I had some Pass Labs amps in for home demos and the thing was a back breaker. I think it was 80 pounds or so. My days of pseudo body building are over... so lugging that thing up and down stairs is something I NEVER want to do again. 

QUESTION FOR THE FORUM 

Can anyone suggest a reasonably priced solid state 200 watt SS amp - no more than 50-55 pounds - that I can use to enjoy these Dynaudio Heritage Speakers? Class AB or Class D, obviously. For weight considerations, I'm really open to a Class D amp, assuming it sounds good. 

Budget is $5K or under - new or used. 

In terms of what I'm looking for - and given my weight requirements - I'd say the primary thing I'm looking to avoid is overt brightness. Otherwise, I'm pretty open to what suggestions the forum might have. Thanks in advance! 
 

128x128bluethinker
kairosman's avatar
kairosman
278 posts
 

Paired with your LTA pre I would definitely go for SS amps a tiny bit on the warmish side (you can get these amps around $6K new, not too far outside your budget):

- CODA S5.5 

- AGD Tempo di GaN

- Jeff Rowland 535

All have the requisite drive and sonic profiles, but I'm not sure your pre has balanced outputs as all these amps are either XLR only or best when used with balanced I/O. Also not sure if the I/O impedances are all matched well so caveat emptor.

perkadin's avatar
perkadin
286 posts
 

I'm currently running the HS with a Musical Fidelity A308.  45lbs, 300 watts into 4 ohms but it does sound a bit sleepy below 75% on the dial, and opens up wonderfully when you let it rip.  So I kinda get what you are looking for.  I've demoed the Hegel 390 but not with the Heritage Special.   It's a terrific all around integrated, plenty of detail at lower volumes, neutral, open and airy, it's very difficult to nitpick because it does everything well, very much like the HS themselves.  I'm sure it would make a great pair.  I'd also take a look at the Krell K-300i.  It's about 5 lbs lighter then the Hegel, a bit more expensive but should be in your range used with a little haggling.  I've never heard it personally but it's well regarded. 

njkrebs
39 posts
 

@mofojo 

Yes, I tried several other integrated amps before Octave and I love its tonal balance, very dynamic with the super black box (essentially a huge capacitor bank). You can roll several different types of output tubes, but for this amp, the KT120s or KT150s work best especially with the Dynaudios. I use NOS Amperex Bugle Boy tubes for the preamp stage and driver tubes along with my phonostage, and this has made the biggest difference in sound quality. The Amperex tubes are stunningly good! Tube gear requires more time investment, but to me it’s a fun part of the hobby. 

soix
9,456 posts
 

To those recommending integrated amps, note the OP has an excellent LTA MicroZOTL preamp in his system so pretty sure he’s just looking for a power amp. 

njkrebs
39 posts
 

@soix 

Yes, you’re absolutely correct…I reread OPs post and it seems he does want to swap in a new amp. Sorry for mucking up your post OP, with recommendations not salient to your question! Personally, given your ideas of weight restrictions I’d sell the preamp and consider one of the integrated amps suggested. There are many manufacturers out there with well-designed and built integrated amps that will get you 90-95% of separates within a certain price point of course. 

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