Amp and Preamp for JM Lab Alto Utopias

Yes, I like the idea of high quality integrated amplifiers as well. Thanks for the recommendation. I've been reading on this amplifier and it looks like it's basically the same components and circuitry of the separate preamp and amp combined into one box with slightly reduced power supplies. Have you heard the ASR Emitter II? How would that one compare to the GamuT? I'd love to try the DarTZeel, but it's well out of my price range right now.

Accuphase pairs very very well with Focal Utopia Be speakers. You do not need to go to their separates to best your current Musical Fidelity integrated and you have quite a few choices (e.g. even the old E-406 and E-407 integrated are supperior to the Tri-Vista 300, while the newer iterations E-408, E-450 and E-460 even more so).

However, if funds permit, the Altos really deserve separates. My recommendation would be one of the Accuphase "mid-class" preamps (C-2400, C-2410, C-2800, C-2810) with an Accuphase class A power amp (e.g. A-50, A-45, A-46, A-60, A-65). The Accuphase class A amps do not get nowhere near as hot as similar designs from Pass Labs for example. However, if they still get too hot for you, Accuphase have very many A/B amps that sound very similar to their class A designs.

Having said all this, I should also say that your Trivista 300 integrated also pairs very well with the Altos. Thus, proceed with care and sell your MF integrated only after you are 100 percent sure you like the new-electronics-Alto combination better.

Good luck and keep us posted!

Paul

I haven’t heard the ASR Emitter. I like the Utopia series a lot - just wish the newer designs were tube friendly - and think they reward being paired with the best amplification you can afford. The only thing that you have to be careful to avoid, IMO, is an amp that is too dry or analytical.

You haven’t mentioned price, but take a look at the Neodio integrateds. I haven’t heard them myself, but people who I respect tell me they’re something special. If I was going to leave tubes, they would be my first look.

Paul, you are the second person to have written me recommending Accuphase. I"m going to have to seriously consider this. I got a private email prior to your post here. In Seoul, Korea, where I live, Accuphase is not too badly priced either. I could easily start with an amp like the P-7100 and build my way from there using local dealers. I'm not sure I can get the class A amps over here. I read your other posts about listening to the lower powered Accuphase amps in Class A with B&W. I'm intrigued to say the least.

Phaelon, you have hit me with something I've never previously heard about. I didn't know anything about Neodio prior to your recommendation. I will look into them. As far as my price range--about 10-15 grand used. I can continue to use the Tri-Vista 300 as a preamp while I build my system again if I were to start with a power amp. Later, I'm probably going to have to replace the Tri-Vista because the preamp inputs in the back are disintegrating. We have terribly humid weather in Seoul, and it can be particularly hard on plastic and rubber. i've pretty much loved everything about the Tri-Vista except for the build, which is partly why I haven't been on the Audiogon much over the past five years--too busy listening to music. I feel that for me the Tri-Vista has been a great sounding amp. I just wish they used better parts in the construction. It looks great on the outside and much of the inside, but currently three of the six RCA inputs are unusable because the plastic inserts that go into the RCA jacks have completely fallen apart. I will try to repair these down the road, but the RCA jacks on these as well as lot of more inexpensive gear are cheaply constructed. Except for that, I'm not sure a lot of other amps better the Tri-Vista to my ears. I've heard a fair number already of both integrated and separates, though much remains to be heard.

I greatly appreciate all of these recommendations. Thank you.

Utopias sound is a bit, just a bit on the lean side of neutrality. This make my recommendation of preaamp very easy: JOule-Electra from LA-150Mk2 to LA-450ME depending on your budget - all will creare synergy with your speakers.

With power amplifiers there are more choices. I will suggest you one: If you like cold amp in summer then investigate class D amplifiers: again depending on your budget: from inxpensive but good Wyred4Sound ($2.4k) to Mark Levinson No 53 ($50k).

In my system based on B&W Diamond speakers, I use combination of Joule-Electra LA-300ME (Harry Pearson called it "most romantic" preamp and for good reason) and pair of FULLY balanced Spectron Musician III monoblocks with all upgardes and I am in my own "sonic paradise". Not terribly cheap but yet not ultra expensive - just what my budget allowed.

Good Luck