Dan, all of the amps you are considering are excellent quality. If Wolcott is not for you, then the Lamm would be my first choice. I have heard most of these products, and although the Rowland is terrific, particularly considering your speakers problematic load, Rowlands do not afford the same level of midrange and staging you so fondly speak of from your current tube amplifiers. If this parallel is of any value to you, Andrew Litton, one of last years Grammy award winners in music and recording artist for Delos, just choose Wolcott amps for his reference system. His system consists of a Conrad Johnson ART preamp, B&W 800 speakers, all Purist Audio interconnect and speaker wire, and a master DAT transport for listening to the original tapes from his recording sessions. He previously owned some of the products we are discussing, and arrived at the decision to buy Wolcott after the first hour of listening here at my home, during one of my Tuesday night sessions. I realize you do not know Andrew, but he has a keen ear, and shares your same concern for accurately driving his large B&W speakers. Considering the parallel in your needs, you should at least audition the Wolcott before making your final decision.
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.
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- 43 posts total
- 43 posts total