What Integrated Amp for Reynaud Offrandes


I've decided to sell my Trentes in favor of the larger Offrandes. I'm planning to replace my VAC PHI 30/30 amp with a higher powered integrated with phono stage to drive these. Are there any Offrande owners out there who have found a synergistic match? The distributor recommends a hybrid or push pull integrated tube amp. I'm thinking maybe Vac Super Avatar or one of the Musical Fidelity integrateds.
garyralph
Hi Russ:

I'm getting the last of the new old Offrandes. An new model is said to be coming out. It looks like the entire Reynaud line is being changed or updated. I've been waiting to see if a used pair would come up, but it doesn't seem that owners want to part with these, particularly as the current model is now out of production

The NAF amp arrived today, and it is truly a thing of beauty. The transformers are massive. The weight alone may be enough to get me off the so-called upgrade merry-go-round, but I'm anticipating that the sound will be sublime. It's torture to have this lovely integrated amp in my living room with no speakers to hook up. My Offrandes are on order. I'll be sure to post my impressions when they arrive.
Gary,
Yep, the amp is heavy! I have found improved sonics by using quality after market footers/isolation components. I'm just not a fan of rubber feet.

btw, since Audax is no longer making the Aergel drivers used by JMR and others, what drivers will be in the new JMR designs?

I've always loved monitors - ie my '78 Rogers LS3/5A I still have and the Offrandes!

Jim Ricketts/tmh audio
Jim:

I'm not sure about the new drivers. I've read that there will be somewhat of a redesign, but I'm not sure how significant the change will be. Supposedly, JMR has enough drivers in stock to service the current speakers in the field, but not to continue production further.

I agree with you on the use of isolation devices. I used a Symposium Ultra platform with my VAC amp, and felt that it made a significant difference in soundstaging and bass quality. I will likely use another one under my NAF integrated as well.
I highly recommend the Symposium products - try the new couplers beyween the amp and Ultra.

You're really gonna love the NAF 845!

Our demo NAF 845 Integrated Spec Ed is available and all we ask is someone to post their comments to help spread the word.

Jim Ricketts/tmh audio
At long last my Offrandes have arrived. I've spent the past few weeks gazing logingly at my NAF 845 SE integrated sitting there with no speakers to drive. After listening to the combo now for about 5 hours, I have to say I'm over the moon.

I know from experience with the Trentes that these speakers have a long way to go before they are broken in. Right out of the box though, they are outstanding. I wish that I had purchased the speakers and amp at different times, so I would know where to credit what I'm hearing. I have to say that by far, this is the best imaging system I have heard. That includes my old Spica TC-50's and Totem Model 1's. The soundstage is wide, deeply layered, and rock steady. This is a very unexpected surprise, as the Trentes with the VAC PHI 30/30 did not come close.

As I had hoped, the presentation is at the same time vivid, but also pleasantly natural sounding. I'm sitting in about row three, just where I like to be. Altogether thrilling and captivating, but not harsh or shrill at all. I can tell that the bass has a way to go as the speakers break in, but honestly, I'd be overjoyed with this system, even if they stayed where they were. I can't imagine what I'll be hearing in a few hundred hours. If I ever try to sell one of these pieces, someone come to my house and slap me ;-)!

Soliver, thanks so much for bringing the New Audio Frontiers 845 SE to my attention. I never would have known about this integrated amp if you didn't bring it to my attention. This is a manufacturer that deserves to be much better known in the States. I'd also like to thank the distributor, Jim Ricketts, who was very generous in offering his time, even though I bought the amp from a privte party. I see that Jim is selling his demo model on Audiogon as I write this. I hope someone snatches it up.