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System advice

I’m still a newbie to audio world, but a couple years ago I got Monitor Audio Platinum PL II speakers with XLO Signature cables (good old stuff), Arcam Alpha 9 amp & preamp and Naim CD5 XS with FlatCap XS. Sound was great for me - juicy, involving, deep. But then I was talked into having the whole stack from Naim. I replaced Arcam amp/preamp with Naim NAC XS 152 & Naim NAP 155 XS. I was told it will be an upgrade from Arcam and that having full stack from Naim will provide great synergy.

The problem is.. I almost stopped listening to the music right after this change. There’s something unpleasant in the sound. There’s a lot of details, good resolution but... I don’t feel amused anymore.

Recently I understood that there is no synergy between speakers/cables and amp/preamp. It’s like some sweetness, warm is missing in this sound..

But now I have no idea in what direction I should go. Any advice for a noobie?

 

gabriel123
soix
10,431 posts
 

Don’t know what PA is.  I love Octave and would own it myself, but at 75 Wpc I’d be a little concerned if it has enough power.  Also, from what I’ve read of Octave their house sound is on the neutral side as tube amps go but that may work for what you’re looking for.  Personally I’d like at least 100Wpc on tap, but depending on the design of the Octave it may still work.  Personally I think that Octave would sound magical in your system as long as it has enough power.  Another one I would look at would be the Unison Unico 90 that’s a hybrid and was recently reviewed by Michael Lavorgna…

https://twitteringmachines.com/review-unison-research-unico-90-integrated-amplifier/

gabriel123 OP
42 posts
 

@soix PA is short form of power amplifier, I saw it in Ayon Audio so I thought it's in common use. Sorry for that!

Octave RE 320 provides, based on the documentation: "maximum output power of approx. 2 x 130 W with two tubes in push-pull mode. The performance bandwidth of the RE 320 extends from 5 Hz to 85 kHz. The pulse power can even reach over 200 watts. ". 130 WPC on pentode mode, 75WPC on triode mode. I guess you are concerned about triode mode?

I suppose more triode power will require much more expensive monoblocks.

 

 

 

soix
10,431 posts
 

Yeah the way they listed the specs was confusing as they listed output as “low” and “high” that I didn’t realize was pentode or triode.  I’d have no reservations in pentode, and it might even work in triode for most music/situations. 

gabriel123 OP
42 posts
 

Would you consider it now yourself?

I'm really wondering how the sound characteristics would change after upgrading from Arcam to Octave RE 320. I'm sure it would be better because it has more power and so on, but I'm not sure if it will provide this tube magic that I count on a little. A lot of people say Octave works like a solid state. As long as it refers to dynamics and bass - great, but I still hope for some tube magic in it.

soix
10,431 posts
 

I think the Octave has plenty of tube magic, but the only question is if it has enough warmth as it tends to sound more neutral.  The Octave won’t sound thin or sterile by any means, but If you’re looking for an amp to add warmth it may not be your best option.  But that’s a personal taste thing.  

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