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Improving on Classic Amps


Not for any good reason other than I am an audiophile, I have been thinking about changing my amp and preamp and would appreciate any suggestions.

As you can see from my system link, I have an Audio Research SP 11 and a Levinson 23.5.

In an ideal world, I would actively biamp or triamp and might even keep both, but that would run up the bill pretty quickly.

As both the SP 11 and the 23.5 command a cult classic premium on the used market, I am wondering if I might get better sound out of my Tympanis for +/- the same price and/or not so much more invested in the system.

SP-7 and Bryston monoblocks? Entry level LAMM? Parasound JC-1s?

I would rather not have anything too tweaky or garage built, but would otherwise consider trading the cult status of my amp and preamp for better performance.

If possible....

Thank You
cwlondon
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Thank you Al for solving the 'Great class C Caper'!

Cwlondon, like all other types of amps, class D range from 'bargain basement' prices like the subwoofer amps you mentioned, to the stratospheric. For example: Flying Moles used to be under $1K, Bel Canto Ref 1000 Mk.2 $6K, JRDG Continuum 500 $8.8K, JRDG 312 at approx 16.5K, Spectron monos with all the trimmings at $22K, JRDG 301 monos approx $30K, Levinson flagship (forgot model) in $50K range if memory serves. Interestingly, class D amps are somewhat less heavily advertised than other kinds. . . their growing popularity appears to be more of a word-of-mouth phenomenon.
mrtennis
3,295 posts
 
i seem to remember auditioning the tympany 1 ds with a powerful audio research tube amp, with an audio research sp 6 mod something.

i owned a pair of tympany 1bs and i preferred tubes driving them, especially the quicksilver ms 190.

if anything, sell the levinson and buy a conrad johnson mv 125.

personally, if production of audio components ceased after the end of the production cycle of the cj mv 125, i wouldn't shed a tear. stay classic and go vintage tubes !
bbro
191 posts
 
Hey Mrtennis,

I agree, "stay classic and go vintage tubes" is great advice. In fact, I personally am currently running a pair of vintage CJ Premier 8A monobloc tube amps on my Magnepan 20Rs with beautiful results. But to muddy the waters, I also have a class- D Spectron Musician III SE MK II (with the Bybee filters and V-Caps) that I alternate with the CJ Premier 8As' with equally beguiling, albeit of a different hue, results. I wouldn't part with either. I even mix the two using a Bryston 10B active crossover with the CJ tubes on the top and the Spectron on the bottom. In both cases I have found that a tube preamp, (in my case a Supratek Syrah-although I have also experiemented with Modwright 9.0s, Ultraverve, Emotive Audios and many others), makes everything even better.
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Hi BBRO, could you elaborate on your experience with Spectron and CJ, and contrast eaches sonic merits? Thanks, G.
cwlondon OP
1,210 posts
 
mrtennis thank you will take a look at the CJ stuff...

Bbro, yes that makes a lot of sense....in fact the factory recently told me that they use both Bryston amps and crossovers for testing and evaluation.

Combined with the fact that many Magneplanar users say that you haven't lived until you biamp makes me very curious.

Of course bimaping or triamping with world class gear could get pricey pretty quickly.

Can anyone comment on their experiences with vintage tubes and any of the larger Magneplanars?
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