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High end amp - my last step

I would like some opinions on buying an amp.

I have some unusual constraints, but a pretty healthy budget.

The constraints:

1) I'm in the UK - 230/240 volts must be available - even if a second hand model has to be sent back to the manufacturer.

2) The amp / amps must live in a space in a well ventilated cabinet, open back and full grill to front plus much ventilation above and below. Space is about 24 inches wide, 30 inches deep and 14 inches high for a mono. Height can be doubled for a stereo amp, e.g. a VTL s-400 will fit but Seigfried Monos will not. Heat should *not* been seen as much of an issue, size should - eg a Krell MRA would drop straight through the floor into the utility room.

3) Power should be enough for a dynamic sound in my 89dB efficient Sophias, but just enough is good enough as these will probably be replaced in the future.

4) Aggravation free, long warranties are good and local dealer support good too - so would demonstrations.

I don't mind tubes, solid state or hybrids. I mostly listen to jazz, indie and pop - actually anything apart from opera.

The budget:

$30,000 - I will consider second hand and I will consider cheaper if I can find it :o)

My own suggestions:

VTL s-400 or 450 monos. (UK distributor - DCS - is less than 5 miles away and will be able to demo at home during April)
Lamm 1.2 ref (No representation in uk :-( )
Audio Research 600's
Dartzeel - (My Wilson dealer carries them, and they look like they won't break, I should get a demo)
Other ideas MBL, Boulder, CAT

I'm not in a rush, probably want to buy in June, but I want to sort out some listening sessions. I *do not* intend to ever buy another amp, so it should be good for (or servicable) for next 20 years!
dmurfet
dmurfet OP
101 posts
 
Preamp (processor actually) is the Meridian 861 v4.2
Speakers are Wilson Sophia, these will be upgraded further down the road, but not for a year at least. The amp will never be upgraded - at least that's the plan. I may consider a seperate pre-amp - but all the demos I've heard, the Meridian holds it's own against some of the best line preamps out there.

Goldmund could be a consideration - they appear to be a Swiss Boulder from what I've seen (but not heard). I did have tube research on my list, but they looked too big.
dmurfet OP
101 posts
 
Lamm are not off the radar - I originally designed the cabinet specifically for them including the vents in the base directly below where the cooling fins are on the 1.2 Ref. It's just very diffucult as they are not represented in the UK (to my knowledge).

Pass Labs XA-160/200 are a consideration - I saw a thread about A/B with a Dartzeel - distribution of Pass in the UK does exist too!
gregm
3,415 posts
 
I've had some limited experience trying yr spkrs (2-3 yrs old, mind you) with a few amps (mostly stereo). I'll also assume that you'll be staying with dynamic spkrs... and...

here's what I liked (in no order):
Goldmund mimesis 18(?)* (monos -- not very heavy)
Symphonic Line Kraft 250 class a (stereo -- heavy & bulky)
YBA passion 600 (stereo -- heavy & bulky)
CAT s/thing or other* (stereo -- heavy & bulky)
Symphonic Line RG 4(?)* (mono -- not bulky, not very heavy)
(*sorry -- don't remember the model numbers/ could find out if interested)

-What I liked was the portrayal of music (energy, power, dynamics if you will).
-We listened to large orchestral passages, opera, and some R&B.
- I think that most of the above products are well within yr budget (the Symphonic Line monos & the YBA are probably 1/2 )
- Most of the above run v. hot (but that's OK as you note)
- Some need a good power line(YBA for example)
- We enjoyed ourselves immensely

p.s. someone mentioned FM acoustics. I did listen to a set(pre+amp). Sound: exquisite. Price: never learnt to count that far.
mdhoover
695 posts
 
Gryphon, Lamm, and Essence are brands to consider. Essence would have to be second hand, if you can even find anyone willing to sell one. You may want to contact Dale Pitcher (www.intuitiveaudio.com) and see what he may have planned as upcoming offerings in the Intuitive Design Line, if you're really in no huge hurry. The Bear Labs amp that retails for 14,000 may be a consideration also, but I don't know for sure--it just looked good to me on paper.

Also, for that kind of money, you could probably almost COMMISSION a designer to build a pair of custom monoblocks for you.

It would seem that your choices should be abundant. Have fun.

-Bill
talk2me's avatar
talk2me
325 posts
 
Have you heard the new Chapter Audio Couplet mono's?Give Duncan a call.They are in Kingshill,Kent.
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