2. amps-preamps
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Is an amp the next upgrade path for me? Advice...

Hi all, love the forum, long time fan, and a past purchaser of equipment from here.

My equipment prior to 3 weeks ago, were:
Axiom Audio M22Ti, Arcam a65plus integrated, Axiom EP 125 sub, Squeezebox touch, wiring/power all stock.

Recently purchased a set of PSB Imagine T towers to replace the m22.
Very happy with my decision, soundstage has really opened up!!

Of course, I am now limited to the volume I can play my music (I prefer 2 channel), and have noticed things falling apart a bit at higher volumes, mostly with the higher freq. output. The subwoofer I have at 50hz and below, and used mostly to add a lithe bit of "pop" to the electronica music I so much enjoy. Room size is smallish, say 12 feet b/w me and speakers, but will probably employing these in a larger space soon.

What should my next step up be? I'm interested in larger, more expansive soundstage. I want more "feeling" the music, with a bit more lower end. I want to try and improve the higher end "shrill" that I can get with higher volumes.

I AM NOT intersted in changing speakers, as I'm very happy with these towers.
I AM NOT interested in chancing cables, as I am just not completely sold on this upgrade path, at least, at the current level of equipment I have.

Would you recommend an outboard amp? Higher power Rotel or musical fidelity, for example? And how much power? ( I do want something that will last a long time, with further upgrades in speakers, and larger power req. in the future)
Would you recommend a change completely from the integrated to a much nicer integrated unit with higher output?
If I were to spend 1,000$ on a newer higher powered integrated vs 1000$ on a power amp, where would I see the MOST benefit.
Would you recommend a change the subwoofer either in addition to, or alone as a substantial upgrade?

I appreciate all your input! My budget is probably in the 1K range.

thanks all!
H
mrhdream
sunnyjim
927 posts
 
Lou, Regarding your list: Can you or anyone explain the basis of why McCormack amps get so much attention and praise??.

The DNA-125 is 10 or more years old; McCormack, as a viable company to the best of my knowledge is out of business and was subsequently bought by Conrad Johnson, and SMc only does upgrades on the older Mc amps

McCormack DNA-125 cannot out perform the Odyssey Khartago which is 130 a channel, has received good reviews; and, I would bet the Stratos Standard would smoke it.
rower30
211 posts
 
The McCormack units get good praise because of their rigged design and up grade path. They sound "good" stock and can be bought for reasonable prices, then upgraded to suit by SMCAudio.

The basic design is very similar to ODYSSEY gear, no fancy parts inside...just good old analog amplifier design. No, not exactly the same, the DNA-225 I owned runs warmer (probably more CLASS A bias) than the KISMET mono amps (run cool as a cucumber) so they are not carbon copies, but the same amplifier component design. No IC’s, just good parts.

But, they are BOTH simpler design perfected over time with better and better sounding parts.

USED MacCormack gear is close to ODYSSEY in value (Stratos amplifier). The advantage ODYSSEY has, are the factory direct sales. You get more bang for your buck, where the McCoramck gear, which is typical distribution sales) is close if you buy used and let the original owner absorb the distribution mark-up.

You can also buy the ODYSSEY amplifier straight-out to your budget, as Klaus is very accommodating to your situation.

I've owned BOTH the McCormak gear (DNA-225 and MAP-1) and ODYSSEY gear and liked them both. I've actually got an RLD-1 I bought used, and am having SMCAudio do platinum upgrade on it as I write this. So I do practice what I preach. Doing the factory direct model with the RLD-1 upgrade on a used pre amp (even a ten year old one) gets a lot of bang for the buck with modern components. The box and circuit board are the only parts that aren't new! And, the ODYSSEY KISMET mono amps are great sounding, too, at affordable prices.
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,442 posts
 
Get a used Bel Canto 3i with built in dac. They come with usb or spdif inputs depending on what the owner wanted. I use one with a SB Touch and the sound is great. My 3i has the usb input and I performed the software hack found on the net to make the SB Touch output the signal thru the usb jack.

Great little ampB
mrhdream OP
10 posts
 
Thanks for the responses everyone! I think I am definitely interested in a power amp, and not another integrated.I figure in the future, once I change to a preamp/processor, I can move the arcam back to powering my axiomM22ti as a nice little bedroom setup!

The Odyssey Stratos has really caught my eye, but I continue to look at other amps to option. Any other suggestions for a good looking, powerful amp? Ended up getting some new speaker cables/interconnects from BlueJeans, I'll let you know if they "do anything" after I get them (mainly i wanted the convenience of banana plugs, figured, why not).

thanks again
Hanny
juggernaut850
11 posts
 
I thought I would chime in as I have owned similar equipment to you:

I have a set of PSB image 4T (older version of your imagine set), squeeze box touch (make sure you are feeding non compressed files) and a axiom EP500 sub.

I started with a Sony home theatre receiver, moved to NAD separates (T163, T973) and then to a speaker change from the PSB to Dali and a Cary SLI 80. Then played with DAC's a bit.

From my experience, the more SS power you you add the more things " open up" and a tangible improvement is made. Also, with DAC's I was surprised at the difference you could make with one of these units.

So, with your budget I would offer a suggestion of trying to add more power and try squeeze a DAC in as well. Perhaps a NAD integrated like the 375bee on this site for under a $1k and maybe a Dacmagic, which I found helps the bass quite a bit.

Or like me, get into tubes, which this is a slippery slope - but man, for me nothing makes music like these babies. (though I now want to upgrade these to a " better " version, so it never ends)
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