Upgrade Nakamichi PA 7All power amp with mono blocks

Between the options you listed, PS Audio M 700 Mono Blocks without a second thought. They are a huge leap! You won’t miss absolutely anything from any amp class and wonder why you never heard such sound before. The improved stage, separation, dynamic range and voicing will amaze you. I have a pair, as well as many others from PS Audio.

As far as Schitt is concerned, stay far away.  They are in a much lower league and full of issues!  That's like comparing apples and oranges.  I'll save you the details but will say that I have been there done that.  By the way, you can get the PS Audio for much less $ than what you said brand new. Send me a PM for info on how, if you want.

I can't comment on the Buckeye amps because I never had them but doubt that they will be anything even close to the M700s. 

@thriftyaudio here is a 180 for ya, if you are open to other ideas.  Since you have the SPL crossover now, have you considered trying the matching SPL Elector analog preamplifier instead of your NAD preamplifier?

My thinking is there is more to be heard from your PA7 and Acoustat 1+1s. Having owned Nak amps before, also noting a local colleague had a PA7 at his shop last month for refresh and a few upgrades. Still a relevant amp, imo. btw, I've had RA subs and the exact same DAC you have now, along with a cousin PASS / Stasis amp to yours, in my secondary system setup. Fwiw, I recently tested different tube and matching solid state preamps with mine. You might be surprised trying other preamps with yours.  

@ellajeanelle thank you for your thoughts.  PS Audio sounds like a  decent upgrade for me.  I am also interested in their Stellar Gold pre-amp.  Have you used the Tyr mono blocks, or is your concern with other items in their portfolio.  I found the Bifrost 2/64 compared favorably with more expensive DACs.  That is my only experience with their equipment though.  I was not impressed with the Schitt pre-amp reviews.

@decooney funny you should mention the Elector.  It is on my short list for pre-amps along with the PS Audio Stellar Gold.  I will think about it.  My Crossover came from London (a real hassle, but worth it in the end).  I believe HiFi Heaven stocks the Elector here in the states.  I purchased my turntable and cartridge from them.  They are great.

@thriftyaudio if interested, I can ask my local contact who worked at Threshold for Pass what his charge is to update your PA-7, or what he did on the last one I saw there recently.  Im really enjoying the upgrades on my other Pass Forte amp fwiw.  

Last two times I was there he had 3-4 Stasis amps there as I recall, plus a PA-7. Gotta ship to NorCal though. Super packing and double box and not cheap to ship but he gets amps from all over b/c people want to keep them in play.   

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thriftyaudio OP

In response to your question and If I may give you my advice, don’t fall into the trap of taking reviews, comparisons and hype as fact.  Specs can give you a reference but definitely don’t rely on them to tell you how musical any component is going to sound.  I think you’ve already answered your own question regarding Shiit.  I will say that the 3 components that I did try from them were their so-called top of their line and all 3 had issues and got sent back, after I had to deal with what seemed like endless back and forth arguments spanning several days with one of the worst customer services that I have ever experienced.  You are comparing apples to oranges.  My analogy between Schiit and Ps Audio is like comparing Ford to Mercedes.

I haven’t listened to the Stellar Gold yet, but do have the Stellar Gain Cell DAC/ preamp combo connected to the M700s and that sound is what I briefly described to you. I am sure that the Gold preamp won't disappoint you, but you aren’t going to get the full performance of it with your current Schiit DAC.

I jumped from the Stellar to their BHK series.  I bought the BHK components before the Stellar gold came out.  The Gold was released recently. If you are leaning toward the M700’s with the Stellar Gold preamp I’d plan on a new DAC also, but if I was in your shoes with your current assumed budget, I would get the M700s new and a used Stellar gain cell DAC/ preamp.  Unfortunately, the Gain Cell DACs are sold out new.   They will not disappoint, and you have 30 days no questions asked refunds.  You do pay the return shipping though.