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My Final Choices For New Amp - Need Your Help

After countless hours of research, I've finally arrived at what I feel are my best options for a power amplifier for my system. Thanks to incredibly extensive reading here in the forums,and elsewhere, I think all are good choices. I have, however, had no opportunity to hear any of them. Your experiences and expertise would be of immense value. Thanks to many of you who have already helped with your previous posts in the archives here.

In review, here is my system, environment and budget:

Silverline 17.5 speakers (90db sensitivity, but that may be optimistic in real life)

Sources:

Meridian G02 preamp (this is optimized for balanced use)
Olive 4HD music server w/Bryston BDA-1 DAC
Meridian G08

The system is located in a small 10x10 den

This will be replacing an Almarro 318b SET, which is a lovely little amp (18wpc), but I am looking for an overall sound upgrade, and have recently been told by several people who also own 17.5's, that they will perform at another level entirely with at least 35-50 wpc. I also recently was able to hear Silverline 17's (the immediate predecessor to mine) with Atma-Sphere M60's and it was a revelation. The catch is, the M60's would overheat my small room to sauna like conditions. And the Atma-Sphere S30 is very rarely found for sale used, and likely wouldnt quite provide enough power. I am a dyed in wool tube guy but might consider a warm solid state amp if that was a better option.

Budget = $3,300.00 absolute limit, and I would be buying used to maximize achievable value.

Current final options for the power amplifier:

Moscode 401HR
Music Reference RM200
BAT VK55SE
PrimaLuna Dialogue 7 mono's

I would greatly appreciate any thoughts, comparisons or recommendations. I have not heard any of these, and have no access to do so. The only related amplifier I have auditioned was a BAT VK75 a few years ago and it sounded superb.

JC
nightfall
pdreher's avatar
pdreher
1,216 posts
 
Of the group you mentioned, I'd be leaning towards either the BAT or the Music Reference.

Personally, my experience with the McIntosh MC275MKV with upgraded tubes was very, very favorable... and the amp has plenty of oomph and runs cool. The stock version can be had for around $2700... just add some Telefunken's and Gold Lion KT88's and your in business. Resale value is outstanding as well.
nightfall OP
188 posts
 
Acresverde, I understand your fondness for the M60's. Wonderful amps, but even Ralph from Atma-Sphere acknowledged that my room is too small for them in a previous thread here. An old friend of mine also owns them, and his room is significantly larger than mine, and we were too hot to be comfortable after a two hour listening session there last month, much less than in spring and summer.

If I may make a recommendation though, if you have not had yours upgraded to 3.1 I would strongly suggest that you do. The improvement in his after the upgrade was remarkable, and the pricing from Atma-Sphere is very reasonable, especially as you receive a brand new warranty following the upgrade.

JC
nightfall OP
188 posts
 
Elevick, thank you for your thoughts. Based on all of the comments, at one time, I was actually remotely considering one of the old Threshold's, but was worried about them being 20-25 years old, and what updating them and performing maintenance would cost. Also, several threads here indicated that they have been significantly surpassed in sonic quality by the newer Pass amplifiers.

Of those, the 30.5 would be all that I could likely afford, and I don't think they would have the power I need.

JC
jax2
3,031 posts
 
I had three versions of the predecessor of the 17.5 and would certainly concur that those speakers sounded best with at least 35wpc. Every time I'd try with less (several attempts) they were quite limited in what they could do. That said, sorry, I have no direct experience with any of the amps you are considering. I really liked Quicksilver amps with the Silverline speakers. Mini-mites actually sounded great with them. I also thought the Mesa Baron was a kick in the pants with those speakers. Actually I can't think of many bad pairings other than those where power was lacking. The most surprising of those was an Aleph 5 which should have been plenty of juice but just sounded flat and underpowered, lacking in dynamics with those speakers. sorry I can't shed more light on your specific considerations.
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,753 posts
 
Check out Quicksilver,you can roll many types of tubes with them.
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