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Upscaling Speakers, Downscaling Amp...What to Do?

A few months back, I purchased a pair of Joseph Audio Pulsars. I've enjoyed them so much that I've decided to upgrade to the new Perspectives. However, my better half hath decreed that no more money can go into audio, so I've made the extremely difficult decision to sell my amp (VAC Phi Beta 110i) in the near future. Its replacements will obviously be significantly less expensive, yet they must provide a similar listening experience. The preamp is already fixed - a Modwright LS 100 with phono stage. My question for the board is, what amp? Tube or solid state? Cost (used) needs to be around $3000-3500, and a minimum of 100 wpc. The obvious pairing is either the Modwright KWA 150 or KWA 100SE. I would welcome any another other suggestions, but if you do so, please tell me why. Thanks in advance.
curriemt11
bombaywalla's avatar
bombaywalla
1,958 posts
 
Curriemt11,
looks like you are married to the Grinch!!
Anyway, I 3rd, 4th, 5th, Nth the recommendation that you stay put w.r.t. to your speakers. No need to hurry up & buy the next level up speaker - you do NOT always get better sound as you climb up the model level. Climbing up the model level brings other issues such as the bigger speaker needing a totally diff amp to handle it - what works for the smaller speaker does not always work for the next bigger speaker. You could be opening up a larger can of worms w/ the purchase of the next bigger speaker.
Enjoy the music & revel in it rather than directing your energies into 'upgraditis'......
IMHO. FWIW.
curriemt11 OP
220 posts
 
Well, thanks for the all of the advice. I guess I really didn't make myself very clear. The decision to move to the Perspectives has been made. Likewise, the Modwright preamp is now installed and ready to go. For those of you who fear that the system synergy will be too compromised...I've used 2 comparatively inexpensive and VERY different amps (Rogue Atlas Magnum and Innersound ESL-300) with the preamp and the Pulsars and am completely satisfied that I will gain more than I give up. So again, the real question is for suggestions for specific amps in the price range specified. I welcome all such suggestions.

By the way, after 37 years, I think I can manage to keep my lovely wife happy in the gift department. :)
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Well, you`ve already made up your mind so I wish you good luck. Since you `ve placed this in an open forum,I`d would defiinitely keep the VAC amp. You won`t equal that amplifier with the stated budget. The amplifier contribution is important(I`m not a speaker is most important proponent). A high quality power amp is fundamental IMO.
Best of Luck,
curriemt11 OP
220 posts
 
No, actually I have not 'made up my mind'. Please go back and read my initial post. The question I asked has nothing to do with either the VAC or the Perspectives (apart from the obvious amp/speaker compatibility issue. I'm well aware that I won't equal the VAC. I'm also well aware that the Perspectives will better the Pulsars. Just a matter of priorities. Needless to say, we have a fundamental disagreement about where those priorites should lie. I truly do not understand why folks on these forums cannot stick to the subject when I've laid out the parameters as best I can. Best of luck to you too.
orpheus10
8,668 posts
 

I was in a "high end emporium" where we were enjoying the most glorious music on ARC electronics and top of the line Thiel speakers. That was the most fantastic sound stage I have ever seen. The illusion was so complete, that I felt like I could reach out and touch the performers, and the instruments occupied stationary positions in space.

Someone came in and wanted to audition a Rotel amp. Once this "mid fi" amp was inserted, the illusion fell completely apart; no more 3D sound stage. Remember, top of the line Thiel and ARC pre were still in the chain. What do you conclude from that?
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