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Ultimate Amplifier for the next 20 Years

Hello all!
Well, you I am again on the amplifier merry-go-round after my last digital amp(noname mentioned!) let me down in the dumps after a comparison with a Halo A21 amp. I had a keen ear friend who reviews for Stereo Times and he felt the same. Musical instruments more real sounding with better decay. Man was I surprised after thinking that the digital amp was my last! BTW, the most important part, my speakers are a pair of Apogee Studio Grands in beautiful piano black!! Now the digital amp is on subwoofers in which it has ALOT of punch! The perfect(but not cheap) subwoofer amp! High damping factor, runs cool, dual posts to run four(4) subs if you choose to and never runs out of juice!!

Anyway, I want to keep it under $5000 used or new. Prefer 2 channel amp and maybe monoblocks. Amp can't run too hot(very important)! My pre/pro is a Lexicon MC12B.
Here are my amps that I'm considering in order:

Classe CA2200- Runs class A up to 60 watts! Right now I have a dealer making me a killer offer. Probably the one I'm going to buy...

McCormack DNA500- My big second choose!

Theta Dreadnaught II- Since I have a 8.4 sound system but don't need alot of power for the other speakers, this would be the perfect multichannel amp for me(remember the .4 is powered by my digital amp). One BIG problem, it runs tooo freakin’ hot!

NuForce 9.2- Hearing great things.

Krell FBC300Cx- Jason Bloom ran only krell amps with Apogees.

Please add your thoughts on any comparison on these amps or a new one that you think are superior. I want this to be my last amp purchase for a long time! Right.... ; )

THANK YOU FOR ANY HELP ON THIS MATTER!!!
Best,
Paul
ptheo
ptheo's avatar
ptheo OP
72 posts
 
Brianmgrarcom- Please tell me more about your system and what your feelings are on the Classe CA2200?!

I have a space that is: 12"Hx25W". I think the CA2200 will fit and run perfect in there at the bottom of my A/V Billy Bags rack(22"Hx72"W). My only issue is I have the Lexicon Pre/pro right above on a shelf that runs warm also. 8-9 months out of the year here in Sacto no problem. Its the other 3-4 months that are killer!
ptheo's avatar
ptheo OP
72 posts
 
I do have one question though about the Classe Delta series. Why is there not a more powerful 2 channel amp the the CA-2200?! There was the CA-301 & CA-401 before. Besides the CA-M400 monos. Is it because it more HT oriented or the new Delta amp are more better? Why not a CA-2300!? : )
gliderguider's avatar
gliderguider
294 posts
 
I've heard the CA2200 driving a pair of B&W 802D, and it sounded pretty trick. The matchup of Classe amps and Apogee speakers is a sentimental favourite of mine ever since I heard an old DR3-VHC blow past KSA-100 on a pair of Divas some years ago.
sdrconsultant's avatar
sdrconsultant
43 posts
 
My two cents = The last amp, is the Goldmund, try the Mimesis 18 monoblocks. If the Goldmunds float your boat except for the price, try the plain vanilla version of the Goldmund line = Job or aka stellavox lines. Pair of 200 wpc into 8 ohms with a stunning slew rate for about $2000 per pair of monoblocks. Last if the Goldmunds are too spendy and the Job/Stellavox just too visually challenged, consider the Plinius SA-102 on the secondary market. Plinius product will easily put the Classe to shame, trick will be getting a monoblock pair under $5000 but it can be done with patience. Best wishes on your quest. Any/All of the above will exceed your 20 year timeframe.
plato
1,543 posts
 
The way digital amplification is evolving, no one can say that any amp, analogue or digital, will be a viable option in 20 years.

But I can tell you that in the here and now, the NuForce Reference 9.02 amps would be real tough to beat driving your Apogees. I would seriously think about trying them out, and if I'm not mistaken, NuForce offers a 30-day home trial if you buy from them. My bet is that you won't be able to return them once you hear them perform. Happy Holidays!
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