After 20 years, in the market for a power amp


Hello:

Longtime lurker/reader of this forum. Recently my long time and beloved Odyssey Khartago shed its left channel and I had been long past ready to move on from it anyway. I am a typically slow upgrader as I am much more a listener than a tweaker. It is therefore time to invest in a new power amp. My system specs:

GoldenEar Triton Ones

Rega P8 TT w/Apheta 3 

Aria phono amp

Primaluna Dialogue Premium p/a

Rotel 1570 CD spinning into a Schiit Yggdrasil

Odyssey Khartago Power amp

AntiCable interconnects

AudioQuest speaker cable

The Khartago, while wholly competent, has long since since been bypassed by the rest of my gear. Looking for something with some synergy with the Primaluna.

Budget $5-7k. Been researching feverishly but it is difficult to get an audition. Suggestions?

 

 

 

pvnasby

@mclinnguy Thanks for the data point in terms of the 'high priced spread' you referenced. I appreciate the validation that the VTV punches above its weight so to speak, as while I have as much passion for great immersive listening as the next guy, budget is always a consideration and my focal point is 'bang for the buck' with an eye on maximizing that at whatever limit the budget imposes. The idea that I could spend 5-7k on a two channel amplifier or would actually decide to do so is somewhat laughable as there just isn't that kind of excess in the budget. I don't fault those who would do so, not by any means, I have never had the opportunity to audition equipment in that price range, let alone actually own it. At the age of 72 I am not sure my ears could appreciate the difference, but I'll probably never find out either. GIven the lack of Bricks and Mortar dealers in current times, I don't see them getting anything but more scarce and I don't travel nearly as well as I used to. Anything I buy now of significant money has to come with a home trial as part of the deal so I can live with it a while and see if it passes muster. So at this point conversations with people like you who don't have an axe to grind and my own judgement thru reading reviews and studying features and specs are the tools at my disposal for picking replacement equipment for what I lost in the fire. I appreciate every data point I get from an independent source since it will be considered in the final decisions made.

@mclinnguy , Ordinarily, I would doing exactly like you suggested and building my system around a pair of speakers.  But in this case, I literally do not have a functioning power amp. So that’s the call at the moment. I agree it’s less than ideal in terms of system building.  I’m very fond of the Primaluna. When I bought it, I listened for five straight hours—the difference was that striking (and GOOD) My next step with it will be new tubes, but I need to get this problem addressed first.

I've been fortunate to be able to compare the Coda S5.5 to a highly modified and regarded current Class D stereo amp as well as Prima Luna product. Same experience as @mclinnguy, no comparison.

As for the impedance on the Triton Ones.  They sounded their best using the 8 ohm taps on my McIntosh amp.  Not that dynamic using the 4-ohm taps.

I own the Triton Reference and find them amp friendly. I have used McIntosh 452 and Michi X5 integrated. both made excellent music. The PrimaLuna amps are great too. Parasound Halo is a great choice too. The JC 1 is probably one of the best amps ever if considering price and performance. 

 Agree with @stereo5 about Triton Refererence. This is my second pair. I tried to go up the high end ladder twice and decided the T Ref were perfect for me and my room.