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Upgrade Time Again.... please help

OK it’s upgrade time once again. Sometime this year I will be upgrading my amps so the hunt begins. I have compiled a “short” list of amps and would like constructive feedback on what else I should consider or not consider. First my system: Front End CAL Delta (next upgrade after amps), dCS Purcell/Delius combo and two Golden Tube monoblocks (re-tubed with 6L6GC and NOS driver tubes) and B&W Nautilus 802 Speakers. I listen to mostly to Jazz, a little Rock and some Classical music. What I like about the Golden Tubes – great midrange, deep and wide soundstage with instruments precisely placed. What I don’t like – flabby bass and highs are not as airy and delicate as I would like. What I am looking for in the amp – great midrange (not syrupy or overly warm, but not dry either), extended deep very well controlled bass, and delicate extended highs that are not in the least bit bright or harsh. The amp needs to throw a wide and deep soundstage without giving up accuracy in instrument placement (no fuzz around the instruments). JA had this to say about the impedance of the Nautilus 801 in Stereophile - “(The impedance for the 801) drops to 3 ohms through the midrange and to 4 ohms in the high treble. In addition, a punishingly high capacitive phase angle in the midbass, coupled with a low magnitude, will demand a good, current-worthy amplifier.” My absolute max budget is 10K and I prefer to buy used but if need be I will by new. Here’s the list: Bryston 7BST Monoblocks, Plinius SA-250 Mk IV, (2) Plinius SA-100 Mk III, Jeff Rowland 8TIHC, Jeff Rowland 10TI, Jeff Rowland Model 12, Ayre V-1x, Mark Levinson 336, 335, 334, Lamm 2.1 Monoblocks, Lamm 1.1 Monoblocks, AR VT-200, (2) AR VT-100, and Wolcott Presence 220 Mono Blocks. I am looking for informed feedback from owners of these amps or people with a similar system. If I had to make a choice today I think I would go with Levinson, Lamm, or Rowland. Cheers – Dan.
dan2112
dan2112 OP
144 posts
 
Sagger, Don't feel you have to stay within the list. If I have missed something, then please say so. Philefreak, the 802's low end impedance is similar but not identical to the 801's. I TEF'd them myself, but the chart is at home. I can give the actual numbers later, but for know please look at the impedance curve for the 801's at http://www.stereophile.com/showarchives.cgi?207:8 If I remember correctly the dip caused by the vented enclosure sits around 30 Hz on the 802 and not 20Hz like the 801. The midrange and the highs for the 802 are identical to the 801 though. – Dan
trelja
3,224 posts
 
Buy a Jeff Rowland amp. All of the models you list are spectacular(have not heard all of them). Whatever one you find the best combination of value/seller/etc. From your likes/dislikes list, those amps are tailor made to your desires. One of the best solid state brands out there. Will not sound a LOT like tubes, but I think you will quite pleased.
albertporter's avatar
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albertporter
4,949 posts
 
I am for the Wolcott mono blocs as well. Not only does this amp have the midrange that you want, the control of the bass is adjustable with a switch and dial on the rear. This is not black magic, but rather a direct intervention into the feedback circuit of these amps. As you rotate the control, you actually "read" the amp, speaker, and the connecting cable, changing the amount of control the amp exercises over the entire chain! By increasing this slowly, you can eliminate sagging, ringing or loss in the connection, until you reach a firmness or warmth that is perfect for your speaker and wire combination. If you read Dick Olshers report at the Enjoy the Music site, he discusses this control and how he has chosen this amp as his reference standard too. By the way, if you do choose the Wolcott, I have been experimenting with both the controls and the tubes for many months now . If you find that there is something lacking or objectionable in the bandwidth, resolution or tonality of the music, I am willing to share my experience so you can try some other combinations to get the results you want. Best wishes!
snook2's avatar
snook2
627 posts
 
Check out Aloia. I recently replaced the Wolcotts with these. Are equal to the Lamm's and cost less than 4k. Better than plinius or the Bryston's. You'll have to see for yourself
dan2112 OP
144 posts
 
Thanks Albert. I was hoping to hear from you. I know that you own the Wolcott amps with the Soundlabs but wasn't sure if you had settled on them yet. I have also talked to Henry at length about the Wolcott. He is very nice man and he has sent me all kinds of information. There is a dealer about two hours away from me in Sacramento and he also has Soundlabs - for which this amp seems to be the perfect match. I guess with Golden Tube stuff I am little gun shy about tubes - probably unjustifiably so. I have never heard the like of the Atma-Sphere MA 1 or the Wollcot so it is hard for me to imagine that a tube amp can perform at the extremes (high and low) with a difficult impedance load like the 802. I am willing to be enlightened though - after all I did buy two SE40's. :-)
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