08Boss302 Posted February 23, 2019 Posted February 23, 2019 Hi all, im thinking is like to try a different 2ch amp at home. i currently have the Yamaha AS-1100 and am happy however curiosity has set in and an wondering if more power and a different signature sound will also satisfy me some might recall my adventure getting this amp and the fact I have a Matantz AVR still set up at home and utilise a Beresford to switch between amps for HT and 2ch listening. speakers are still KEF Q950 the Vincent SV237mk is still knocking at the door loudly and I see now the Rotel RA1592 is on sale at a lot of places for approx $2700. I know the Vincent is a tad warmer and more powerful but the RA1592!ivenot heard but see it to be more powerful- anyone have experience with this amp? being that I consider Marantz sound quite warm and smooth, the Yamaha sound is very neutral but still smooth (not as smooth), but not as “forgiving” as Marantz... To spend the money on anew amp I’m keen to look and listen to amps that have more power than the Yamaha as the KEFs like being driven to get the most out of them any suggestions out there to add to the list Vincent and Rotel? budget up to say $3500 but less if possible! Understanding I’ll get suggestions above and double that but springing to mind is Roksan, musical fidelity and I think Onkyo have one for about $3k also. Whatever I look at must have x4 analog rca options, digital inputs and dac not important as I have an Oppo 205 which I’ll connect to it for that purpose but it’s a full package like the Rotel that is fine also. thanks all keen to read your suggestions and any experiences
t_mike Posted February 23, 2019 Posted February 23, 2019 For $3.5K I would recommend going used. You will get $10K sound at today's new price. 2
08Boss302 Posted February 23, 2019 Author Posted February 23, 2019 Thanks @t_mike, I could/would consider used but tbh it wasn’t my first preference Any brands/models you think should be on my radar on the classifieds?
wen Posted February 23, 2019 Posted February 23, 2019 @08Boss302 new ,look at an Exposure 3010S2D, 110wpc, $2795 +$595 for DAC to give you digital inputs, Andrew at Audiofix is a gentleman to deal with, your KEF's will sing
08Boss302 Posted February 23, 2019 Author Posted February 23, 2019 Cheers @wen I’ll have a look into this. I see it comes in black too which is a preferred colour choice
t_mike Posted February 23, 2019 Posted February 23, 2019 Do a little bargaining, do a little stretching... Now we're talking. 2
Gryffles Posted February 23, 2019 Posted February 23, 2019 The Audia Flight FL3S is another you should listen to. Can be had for $2500 used. Ive been surprised how good it is.
andrewinbriz Posted February 23, 2019 Posted February 23, 2019 If you intended to keep the yamaha, I'd suggest tubes. My KEFs sing with Prima Luna power amp, custom analogue audio pre amp. I have a transistor integrated (saving for, maybe, a Naim or Rega), but the SQ and listening experience with tubes is a mighty fine thing.
08Boss302 Posted February 23, 2019 Author Posted February 23, 2019 Thanks guys I’ll look into the Accuphase and Audia Flight suggestions if I make this change and prefer it I’d prob look to sell the Yamaha, the Vincent offers tube and solid state benefits, I did like this when auditioned it prior to buying the Yamaha and it never left my psyche. hardest part is finding a retailer that sells KEF and Vincent or others. i have just noticed Denon make the 1600ne also and it might be worth me looking st the marantz 8006 which I didn’t look at last time the last rotel i listened to sounded sounded a little thin but all reviews on the 1592 state the opposite. Anyone out there that listens to rock and metal have experience with the 1592?
Wayne Elliott Posted February 24, 2019 Posted February 24, 2019 No experience with the Rotel 1592, but of similarly specced Amps the Vincents are a big step up over Rotels.
08Boss302 Posted February 24, 2019 Author Posted February 24, 2019 i cant really afford to jump on the SV 700 https://www.selby.com.au/vincent-sv-700-integrated-amplifier-black-sv700b.html But this one is of high interest still... https://www.selby.com.au/vincent-sv-237mk-integrated-amplifier.html Selby had 30% off these about 4 months ago, i shouldve leaped but didnt, missed a bargain i guess oddly the 237 seems to have more power than the 700 but i dont really understand the power thing in total so my guess the 700 has the trumps on it given its heftier price pont. the Rotel seems such great value at the moment and has a tonne of power. https://clefhifi.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=34&products_id=2788 As Denon and Marantz come from the same house (i believe) they should be similar house sounding. The Denon seems to pack a few more features and power into its offering https://www.apollohifi.com.au/audio/stereo-amplifiers-receivers/denon-pma1600ne-stereo-integrated-amplifier-black.html I live in melbourne, i can get to Clef and listen to the rotel thru my speakers as its where i bought my speakers and the guys there are good to deal with. I can also get to Selby but they dont stock Kef so its a bit of trial and guess. Denon if i want to go further with i'll find a retailer in melbourne with the PMA 1600ne i am sure
andyr Posted February 24, 2019 Posted February 24, 2019 22 hours ago, wen said: @08Boss302 new ,look at an Exposure 3010S2D, 110wpc, $2795 +$595 for DAC to give you digital inputs, Andrew at Audiofix is a gentleman to deal with, your KEF's will sing The OP is looking for more power - so why would an Exposure (as you say, 110wpc - presumably into 8 ohms ... no specs for 4 ohms) give him an appreciable amount more power than his Yamaha AS1100 (specced at 160w into 4 ohms - so probably 100w into 8 ohms)? Andy
wen Posted February 24, 2019 Posted February 24, 2019 37 minutes ago, andyr said: specced at 160w into 4 ohms - so probably 100w into 8 ohms)? actually spec'd at 90 WPC, just suggesting something spec'd higher @110WPC, also reading the OP's initial thread when looking for an intergrated amp , its one that was not mentioned, no different to suggesting an amp above his budget like t_mike suggesting the Accuphase in the classifieds, all food for thought
t_mike Posted February 24, 2019 Posted February 24, 2019 It's not just about watts, higher current amps at the same wattage can produce better sound also in some cases. 1
Al.M Posted February 24, 2019 Posted February 24, 2019 (edited) For amp suggestions see regular poster Cafads reviews of many items. Also, consider used Yamaha AS 2100 and 3000 amps and Musical Fidelity. Separate preamp and power combos can be put together as well with potential better results. See previous forum posts on this. Edited February 24, 2019 by Al.M 1
andyr Posted February 24, 2019 Posted February 24, 2019 8 hours ago, t_mike said: It's not just about watts, higher current amps at the same wattage can produce better sound also in some cases. Agreed, t-mike. Unfortunately, integrateds aren't typically built with "high current" in mind.
08Boss302 Posted February 24, 2019 Author Posted February 24, 2019 thanks guys yep, all correct, my original thread I really didnt explore the power side of things as best i could, and whilst i am still happy with the sound of the AS-1100 my real quest/curiosity here is power and what it can add to my speakers and sound reproduction. A used AS-2100 i think has similar power but i'll look into this also. Not sure a 3000 would ever drop to my pricing comfort zone. The 2nd hand idea is a good one because in a lot of cases i may find an amp with that 150/200watt field as most seem to be over the $4k mark new with the exception of the ones i've mentioned. i have today off so i am going to do some reading as a bit of a relaxer with a few coffees. I'll also make a few calls and see if there are any stores that allow an amp to come home for a trial (even if it means paying for it with a refund if returned). It does seem however Australian HiFi retailers havent really gotten behind that concept and its largely an American consumer benefit.
TerryO Posted February 24, 2019 Posted February 24, 2019 (edited) 10 hours ago, Al.M said: For amp suggestions see regular poster Cafads reviews of many items. This is good advice, Cafad has reviewed just about any integrated amp most regulars on here might consider worth owning. Mike's advice on buying secondhand rather than new is also very good advice, many great amps turn up in the classifieds in a regular basis at a fraction of the cost of what you can buy new. As for Rotel's I think you need to go and listen to one then you will understand why so many people recommend other amps when you keep mentioning them. My advice given I remember reading your last amp upgrade thread would be to buy the absolute best amp you can afford and then even stretch some, otherwise you more than likely will be going through this exercise all over again in several months time like you are now. One last thing, don't automatically measure how good an amp is by its claimed power output, there are many great quality amps out there that have modest claimed outputs that will embarrass sonically much higher claimed power rated amps. Power isn't everything. cheers Terry Edited February 24, 2019 by TerryO 3
wen Posted February 24, 2019 Posted February 24, 2019 1 hour ago, TerryO said: One last thing, don't automatically measure how good an amp is by its claimed power output, there are many great quality amps out there that have modest claimed outputs that will embarrass sonically much higher claimed power rated amps. Power isn't everything. Agree totally, this point is lost on a few people, auditioning is the key
08Boss302 Posted February 24, 2019 Author Posted February 24, 2019 thanks @TerryO the sim moon audio i auditioned last time was an amp that only claimed 50w but had plenty of power - as advised by the shop assistant at the time when he recommended it above the Cambridge 851 and the Yamaha. i'll keep an eye on the classfieds and also check a few amps in the meanwhile. I am in no rush - although i said that last time and um.....
Irek Posted February 25, 2019 Posted February 25, 2019 Hi, In my opinion you should build another system (speakers+amp) , something to fill up the missing parts of your existing system.
Bunno77 Posted February 26, 2019 Posted February 26, 2019 https://www.stereo.net.au/forums/topic/263268-krell-s-550i-integrated-amplifier/#
08Boss302 Posted February 26, 2019 Author Posted February 26, 2019 (edited) Done a heap of reading and also looking at reviews on the KEF speakers I have. Once I drilled past page one on google and also further into YouTube I started to see/read on more than one occasion that the amp used in reviews was the Primare I35. its dearer than I preferred but I think I’ll save some coin up as I’m in no rush and then go check one out. ill still suss out Vincent and rotel and some others but given the match in more than one review to the speakers it makes sense to wait n save and audition the Primare ill thread mine these forums too as I’m sure there is a few users here that I gain some information from cheers all Edited February 26, 2019 by 08Boss302
JulianR Posted March 11, 2019 Posted March 11, 2019 I recently scored a very new looking but second hand Vincent sv 238 Mk for $2k... and o.my.god. My Merantz pm8006 just was lifeless with my Contour s1.4LE, but that 60 Class A Watts (which some doubt) and 400 watts into 4 ohms has (quite naturally), changed everything. I heartily recommend, if looking for power and watts.
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