kdoot Posted August 12, 2019 Share Posted August 12, 2019 Hi all. A friend of mine in Sydney was thoroughly impressed with the way my system made music when he came to visit. Now he’s considering picking up the pair of ML2 Plus-R that are in the classifieds to replace his Kef LS50’s. The challenge is that he currently has nothing but an older 5-channel Denon AVR and that’s just not good enough. So we are looking for an ML2-worthy integrated solid-state stereo amp with HT bypass, and it has to be pretty compact because there’s not a lot of room for more equipment. I’m curious about the Devialet that’s also in the classifieds (thoughts anyone?) but it’s probably a bit more than he would like to spend. Please let me know your suggestions, especially if there’s something 2nd hand that would be a good buy. New is worth looking at also. Thanks! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rantan Posted August 12, 2019 Share Posted August 12, 2019 I admit that this is a shameless plug but this would be an ideal match to the ML2 plus R. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rusty48 Posted August 13, 2019 Share Posted August 13, 2019 And of course, the inevitable question: What's his budget? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdoot Posted August 13, 2019 Author Share Posted August 13, 2019 Whatever seems reasonable for somebody who’s buying 2nd hand ML2 PLus-R rather than ordering a new pair from Mike. There’s not a budget limit per se but value is a priority. What makes sense? Rantan’s MF and the Devialet are both worth considering IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myr Posted August 13, 2019 Share Posted August 13, 2019 I can vouch for Devialet (Expert 130 and 200), Musical Fidelity (M6 500i) and Plinius (SA-103). I have run all three with my ML2 Plus R's and they all sounded great. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bunno77 Posted August 13, 2019 Share Posted August 13, 2019 13 minutes ago, myryad said: I can vouch for Devialet (Expert 130 and 200), Musical Fidelity (M6 500i) and Plinius (SA-103). I have run all three with my ML2 Plus R's and they all sounded great. The Plinius would have been fantastic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhobba Posted August 13, 2019 Share Posted August 13, 2019 (edited) Hi All Mike has a Chord TT2 which has the best sound I have yet heard from a DAC (yes I prefer it to the Grandinote). I have heard it on the ML5 - Mike can certainly check it out on the ML2, Its about $7K but it's DAC and amp combined. It may be what you are after - possible issue is HT Thanks Bill Edited August 13, 2019 by bhobba Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volunteer sir sanders zingmore Posted August 13, 2019 Volunteer Share Posted August 13, 2019 3 hours ago, bhobba said: Hi All Mike has a Chord TT2 which has the best sound I have yet heard from a DAC (yes I prefer it to the Grandinote). I have heard it on the ML5 - Mike can certainly check it out on the ML2, Its about $7K but it's DAC and amp combined. It may be what you are after - possible issue is HT Thanks Bill I’m confused, the TT2 is a dac and headphone amp. Are you suggesting that it can drive speakers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rickus Posted August 13, 2019 Share Posted August 13, 2019 3 hours ago, Sir Sanders Zingmore said: I’m confused, the TT2 is a dac and headphone amp. Are you suggesting that it can drive speakers? It has an "amp" mode: "Please note that once the Hugo TT 2 enters Amplification Mode, 8W on RCA and 20W on XLR, the rated spec is 7W/8 RCA and 18/8 (XLR balanced)." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volunteer sir sanders zingmore Posted August 13, 2019 Volunteer Share Posted August 13, 2019 10 minutes ago, Rickus said: It has an "amp" mode: "Please note that once the Hugo TT 2 enters Amplification Mode, 8W on RCA and 20W on XLR, the rated spec is 7W/8 RCA and 18/8 (XLR balanced)." Oh wow. That’s cool. Thanks for the info 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdoot Posted August 14, 2019 Author Share Posted August 14, 2019 58 minutes ago, Rickus said: It has an "amp" mode: "Please note that once the Hugo TT 2 enters Amplification Mode, 8W on RCA and 20W on XLR, the rated spec is 7W/8 RCA and 18/8 (XLR balanced)." Interesting! But nowhere near enough power and we want analog inputs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
075Congo Posted August 15, 2019 Share Posted August 15, 2019 I am using an Esoteric F-05 I bought second hand from Krispy Audio to drive my ML2 References. Plenty of power sure makes them sing. No good for the HT option but go for power. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rusty48 Posted August 16, 2019 Share Posted August 16, 2019 Accuphase E-600 with a DAC40 board would do the trick - heaps of current and runs cooler than both the MF and Devialet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdoot Posted August 16, 2019 Author Share Posted August 16, 2019 10 minutes ago, rusty48 said: Accuphase E-600 with a DAC40 board would do the trick - heaps of current and runs cooler than both the MF and Devialet. Man that is a thing of beauty! I would love to hear it. But I’m not sure it’s what we’re looking for... 30W probably isn’t sufficient. Not sure how you could say a pure class A amp would run cooler than an AB or hybrid D though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gemini07 Posted August 17, 2019 Share Posted August 17, 2019 On 13/08/2019 at 10:45 PM, myryad said: I can vouch for Devialet (Expert 130 and 200), Musical Fidelity (M6 500i) and Plinius (SA-103). I have run all three with my ML2 Plus R's and they all sounded great. As the original owner of the said ML2 PlusR's, I paired it with an Accuphase preamp and a Halcro power amp, with great results. As far as using an integrated is concerned, I'd look to Myryad's advice, or consider one of the Accuphase integrated amps on Gumtree. The more power you can feed into those speakers, the better the results. I'd be careful about any amp that tended towards excessive 'sweetness' or 'smoothness' - the ML 2's are already smooth and sweet, so I'd go for something detailed, natural and powerful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rusty48 Posted August 17, 2019 Share Posted August 17, 2019 20 hours ago, kdoot said: Man that is a thing of beauty! I would love to hear it. But I’m not sure it’s what we’re looking for... 30W probably isn’t sufficient. Not sure how you could say a pure class A amp would run cooler than an AB or hybrid D though. You'd be surprised. They test at nearly double the manufacturer's quoted output before starting to clip, drive Martin Logan Summit X's with ease and (yes, surprisingly) do in fact run cooler than MF class A and Devialet amps. Accuphase class A amps are a different animal to their class A/B amps. Don't confuse the two. I was strongly considering Mike's ML2's before changing direction (umm, another country...). Tell your Sydney mate to make a phone call and take his ML2's for a drive to the Accuphase dealer at Liverpool and he will hear what they can do. The current model is E-650, a further refinement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maximus Posted August 19, 2019 Share Posted August 19, 2019 I'm selling a NAD Silver line S500 in the classifieds that is a dual mono design in great nick, $1000. I wouldn't say the sound quality is as good as the choices @myryad suggested, but for control and bass slam its very good. I'm waiting for my M/F Nuvista 600 to arrive so I can make direct comparisons. Its probably in the same league as a parasound a21/m/f m6 integrated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PKay Posted August 20, 2019 Share Posted August 20, 2019 If it was me I would contact @Galactic Soap and check out his Densen. Should be enough power and a great price. If I were after an integrated this would be very high on my list. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
075Congo Posted August 20, 2019 Share Posted August 20, 2019 That Densen B175 looks great. I'd also check out the Foil Flex Interconnects and Speaker Cables to hook it all up. Cheers 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galactic Soap Posted August 20, 2019 Share Posted August 20, 2019 Thanks for the comments @PKay & @075Congo - much appreciated. I've listed the Densen integrated and power-supply on Ebay (see: link below). I originally had a buy now price of $4,500 however I'm happy to accept for $4K for any SNA members interested in doing a deal. https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Densen-B175-Integrated-Amplifier-1NRG-Power-Supply/143360602329?hash=item2160f530d9:g:OC0AAOSww8ldW9mq Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PKay Posted August 20, 2019 Share Posted August 20, 2019 (edited) 2 minutes ago, Galactic Soap said: Thanks for the comments @PKay & @075Congo - much appreciated. I've listed the Densen integrated and power-supply on Ebay (see: link below). I originally had a buy now price of $4,500 however I'm happy to accept for $4K for any SNA members interested in doing a deal. https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Densen-B175-Integrated-Amplifier-1NRG-Power-Supply/143360602329?hash=item2160f530d9:g:OC0AAOSww8ldW9mq So tempting. I just can’t justify another amp. I expect it should fairly quickly on eBay. Edited August 20, 2019 by PKay 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galactic Soap Posted August 20, 2019 Share Posted August 20, 2019 Thank you mate - yes, it'll be interesting to see how it goes. It's my first Ebay listing, and that too with a 99 cent starting bid. I was somewhat relieved to see bidding is now at $1,250 when I woke up this morning! Its a screaming bargain at this price point. The internal design reinforces the how over-engineered it is, and unlike other components at this end of the high-end spectrum it's elegant and discrete. Then of course there's the sound: rhythmic and resolving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhobba Posted September 1, 2019 Share Posted September 1, 2019 On 14/08/2019 at 9:15 AM, Sir Sanders Zingmore said: Oh wow. That’s cool. Thanks for the info I heard them directly driving Mikes ML5's at his store. Mike was skeptical but was shocked how good it was. A direct comparison to the Grandiote was not done but I think it was better. He was impressed enough to really get his finger out with his Seas Exotic speakers that will be 92 db sensitive and an easy drive for the DAC, BTW I think its way cool as well. Amongst other albums I heard was Christmas with Dino. I still cant get it out of my mind. Thanks Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southie Adam Posted February 4, 2020 Share Posted February 4, 2020 @Lenehan Audio How are things going for 2020? Any GTGs planned for the near future? Curious about where you are with some of your projects ( any recent pictures of any would be appreciated ).... The Seas Exotic 92db speakers spoken about above Bills Magnesium Speakers Three way large speaker from this thread below ...last mention was 'The big speaker is still in the pipeline ! The 15inch bass end is completed we just have to build the top end section now ! I would estimate at least another 6month to a year . Cheers Mike' Any thing else on the cards? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazer01 Posted February 10, 2020 Share Posted February 10, 2020 Apologies for hijacking this thread but I can't help but be impressed by my ML2 reference speakers. I too am still looking for an integrated to make them sing. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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