2. amps-preamps
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Spend my $8,000 pt. 2

A rehash of some previous threads so I apologize, but I'd love some help!

Need a pre/power and phono-stage (HO MC or MM) for my system system (Sony SCD-1, Totem Forests, MH MMF 7--soon to be VPI Aries 2--variety of cables), have about $8,000. I'm auditioning:

Integrateds:
Plinius 9200 (no balanced inputs!)
BAT VK-300XSE (bad phono?)
Sim i-7 (no phono!)
JRDG Concerto (bad phono/digital?)
Accustic Arts Power 1(no phono/underpowered?)

OR

Preamplifier:
Aesthtix Janus (tube--too warm?)
Ayre K1xe (over my budget!)

I know I'm picky, and I know I need to make a compromise: I either need a killer Integrated, which doesn't sacrifice too much to separates, and add a good phono stage; or, I need a preamp with a killer phono stage and find it a good power amp. Given these choices which do you think entails less of a sacrifice?

I'm also having trouble getting first-hand opinions on any of the phono sections of the components above that have them onboard. I hear the 9200 phono-stage is actually good, but only from a poster who doesn't use it. The BAT seems to get tepid reactions. Apparently no one in the _world_ owns the JRDG Concerto with the phono stage. People love the Aesthetix Calypso and the Rhea Phono, but I can't find many opnions on the Janus. Any first hand experience with these phono stages?

I only have room for two boxes. I'm not looking for lush/warm tube sound, just something accurate, neutral, with pin-point accuracy and great imaging...sheesh, I want it all! The Aesthetix at $6500 means I'll need to buy a temp. amp used and then save for something better, which I'm not adverse to. I want something that will stave off the upgrade bug and mate well with sources and speakers higher up the food chain, since I know my SCD-1 and Forests aren't the final word (for me at least). Help!

And just think, soon you get to help me pick either a phono stage or a power amp. Oh Joy!

Thanks a ton!
mimberman
mimberman OP
299 posts
 
I relistened to the Avid and I retract my earlier statement. It may sound a bit slow in comparison to the super scoutmaster. Not that it's a bad table, and I'm not even sure slow is the right word to describe the sound, but I think it involves some careful matching in other areas (but what doesn't?). In any case, I'll need to save up for the power amplifier before any changes to my analog source so I'll bother you all later when the time comes for my TT.
dgplo
76 posts
 
I remember your quandry, I'm in the same boat. I just recently heard the Chord 2600 -- a very sweet sounding integrated which has the most open sound for an integrated I have heard. Very tubelink for solid state with a big soundstage, lots of depth and very musical. Sorry to add one more amp to the mix, but if you can find one used, about 3k, you will have an amp that can last you years. It is 120 wpc into 8 and 170 wpc into 4 ohm load, very stable, no phono stage.

I heard the plinius hooked up to a pair of proc speakers, the chord as well. The chord made the plinius' soundstage sound compressed. The chord has such an extremely open presentation that it is never fatiguing. I am looking at buying an integrated and my search is over.

If you want to see a review, check out this link:

http://www.avguide.com/product/Receivers,_Tuners,_and_Integrated_Amps/Stereo_Receivers_Integrated_Amplifiers/Chord_USA_-_Bluebird_Music_Ltd./CPM_2600/3174.jsp?product=3174

It is from the Absolute Sound, from March/April

Good luck.
dgplo
76 posts
 
re: last post -- saw you are an art dealer, you will love the look of the Chord...
cellorover
423 posts
 
Catch Up: Greetings Mimberman-- FYI Modwright has a dealer in the New York area. But if you are still hunting, CJ has new amp coming out this fall called the Premier 150 CA. It is half the Premier 350 with switching and volume control from the Premier 18. So you have your first box --killer power amp with superb control functions. Now you can go after the phonostage.
rsquared
24 posts
 
Trust your head's still spinning from all the gear combos sent your way, plus your concern over tube reliability.

If you can "stand the truth" (not offered in an arrogant way)...my following comments are driven by:

1.Over 30 yrs of listening and usually loving (at least initially) two-channel REAL MUSIC LPs and CDs (not "audiophile" demo discs) through a succession of high-end systems.
2.Over 30 yrs of searching for a more pleasing, MUSICAL response from many systems as I spent years and much cash on The Latest & Greatest promoted by box pushers disguised as audio "salon" experts.
3.The realization that I needed to get past the eye candy and technobabble and truthfully ask myself:
"Does the music or the gear matter most to me? Do I really enjoy shopping for and then looking at my system, like women enjoy shopping for shoes, or do I want to spend my precious time enjoying a MUSICAL system and shop for new artists' discs instead?

As a result, I purchased and still enjoy MUSIC through two tube integrateds: Main system: VAC Avatar Super (the "Super" is an apt description) with VAC's step-up phono x'former for my low output MC cart. Second system: Audiomat Prelude Reference.

The Prelude came first, was in my main system with a very good ss phono stage and I thought I was through shopping. After hearing a friend's Avatar Super, reading the review, and talking with the helpful/honest/music-loving folks at VAC, a demo came home and is still in my main system.

The VAC is dead silent (even on phono with the gain way up and no LP playing). It lets the MUSIC through without added syrup, controlls both hard- and easy-to-drive speakers with authority and finess. It has Mac-like build quality and beauty throughout. It is conservatively designed and rated for thousands of hours of trouble free use. It takes 30 seconds to bias the four KT88s using the front panel pots and the lighted front panel mounted meter. After the first 50 hours, I now bias the tubes once every other month, when I remember to do so.

I've owned many separates and several integrateds and must say the current crop of better integrateds perform as well or better as higher level separates. The only down side is you get to dispense with the "snake oil" ICs between your pre and amp!

Have fun and good luck!
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