neji_kun Posted January 1, 2007 Posted January 1, 2007 Hi All, I am looking for an integrated amp that matches well with Quad 11L speakers. Any idea if Roksan Kandy or Capsian do the job well ? And anyone noes the price out there ? Thanks.
leslens Posted January 1, 2007 Posted January 1, 2007 ur budget? the rotel ra02 / marantz pm7001 will do just fine about 400-500 new
neji_kun Posted January 1, 2007 Author Posted January 1, 2007 Currently using a rotel power amp and a passive pre amp to drive the speakers. If I want a drastic improvement and do not want to spend more than 1k, wat is the best amp out there that I could get?
relakbro Posted January 1, 2007 Posted January 1, 2007 Dunno if you mean new, but I'm pretty sure the Caspian (new) is out of your budget.
synthesis1624705793 Posted January 2, 2007 Posted January 2, 2007 Currently using a rotel power amp and a passive pre amp to drive the speakers. If I want a drastic improvement and do not want to spend more than 1k, wat is the best amp out there that I could get? Probably a power amp that is attached to a woofer. ;D I think a 1k subwoofer will give you a drastic improvement if you have the space. ;)
hifi_enthusiast Posted January 2, 2007 Posted January 2, 2007 made-in-china tube amp should be within your budget. ;D
synthesis1624705793 Posted January 2, 2007 Posted January 2, 2007 made-in-china tube amp should be within your budget. ;D Oh yea, that's another alternative. ;)
neji_kun Posted January 2, 2007 Author Posted January 2, 2007 Where can I find MIC tube amp in Singapore ? What are the recommended models?
kwhv Posted January 2, 2007 Posted January 2, 2007 Another option is to get a tube preamp for your rotel. Tube magic with solid state punch. The Diva Classic One tube preamp is a well received entry level tube pre. It's a great way to experience tube magic cos with only one 6SN7 tube, it's easy to replace and economical to try different 6SN7 tubes to suit your musical taste ("Tube rolling"). New Old Stock (NOS) 6SN7 price range from S$25 to >S$200. Warning: Tube rolling is fun but addictive! ;) http://www.echoloft.com/cgi-bin/YaBB/YaBB.cgi?board=tell&action=display&num=1166682617
neji_kun Posted January 2, 2007 Author Posted January 2, 2007 Will Diva Classic --> rotel power amp --> quad 11L match ?
ical Posted January 2, 2007 Posted January 2, 2007 neji_kun, which are the area that you feel is lacking in your present system? I used to own the Roksan Kandy, and later the Caspian which I'm still using now. Both are very good amps but they're definately out of your budget of $1k for a new set. However, you might be able to find used Kandy for <$1k in the marketplace. If you want to go into tube, MIC int tube amp will be a better alternative. The Diva Classic One tube pre is good but at it's price of $750, you can get quite a good MIC tube amp. Steve from Sky Audio is a very helpful guy. He offer home trial if you want to try. You can find MIC amps at COEM Audio (Mingda) and Audio 88 (Audio Space and Duntonic). Can't remember the rest.
Guest tok_kong88 Posted January 3, 2007 Posted January 3, 2007 Currently using a rotel power amp and a passive pre amp to drive the speakers. If I want a drastic improvement and do not want to spend more than 1k, wat is the best amp out there that I could get? which rotel amp model u're using? i've the good ole rb-970bx in stereo mode puffing out 70w/pc rms does a good job on my mordaunt short ms40i floorstands.. i've heard one of the echoloft's user set-up comprising tubed mini-houstons 1997 + elac bookshelf (on atacama's) + cambridge azur 540 cdp, the sound was very good... in fact, it was better than many systems i've heard costing many thousands... mini-houstons pumps 45w/pc (if i'm not wrong) with dedicated external power supply... a new one would cost ~$1k +/-... some used ones i've seen posted for sale in the region $550-700 in echoloft. If u hv a chance to hear tm, i strong recommend don't gv tm a miss... i think now the mini-houstons r renamed TRI whom acquired Audiospace if i'm not wrong...
neji_kun Posted January 3, 2007 Author Posted January 3, 2007 I'm using a denon 3520 cdp --> passive pre amp (bought from effective audio) --> HT rotel power amp 1075 --> Quad 11L I listened to light jazz and vocal. I found the sound too laid back, too acoustic and not warm or distinctive enough.
kwhv Posted January 3, 2007 Posted January 3, 2007 i've heard one of the echoloft's user set-up comprising tubed mini-houstons 1997 + elac bookshelf (on atacama's) + cambridge azur 540 cdp, the sound was very good... in fact, it was better than many systems i've heard costing many thousands... mini-houstons pumps 45w/pc (if i'm not wrong) with dedicated external power supply... a new one would cost ~$1k +/-... some used ones i've seen posted for sale in the region $550-700 in echoloft. If u hv a chance to hear tm, i strong recommend don't gv tm a miss... i think now the mini-houstons r renamed TRI whom acquired Audiospace if i'm not wrong... If this is wat you are talking about, the mini houston is only 13wpc. I own the mini 1998 before i change to Sun audio 2A3. It's a wonderful amp with punch that belies it's output. It sounded really good with JJ or Ei EL84s and NOS 5751s (12ax7). However it may sound bright with the wrong speakers. And also it's output transformers are known to blow, so better not to use it with not-so-sensitive speakers (<88db/8ohm) cos it will tax those transformers too much. For MIC amps, other than MingDa (COEM audio) and AudioSpace (Audio 88), there's also the Dared amps (analogue audio) and Cayin (Precision audio). However, most MIC tube amps do not have good resale value if you dun like the sound and thinking of reselling. Audiospace and Cayin amp have better resale value. I believe the laidback character in your system may b caused by the passive pre which is a minimalist shunt design. Do check out sky audio whether they offer home trial for the diva pre. No harm trying. If you dun like it, then you check out the MIC tube amps or other options.
pathetichindsight Posted January 4, 2007 Posted January 4, 2007 I bought the Kandy amp a few weeks back, and compared to my old Pioneer A-400x, every department has seen a significant improvement. Everything hangs really better this time with more 3D imaging, especially with vocals. I am also hearing much more details, and dynamics are improved. However, i do feel that the bottom end might benefit from a tigher bass. My CD player is TS Lim mod 63 se and speakers are the old Mission 780se....
Darthfunk Posted January 6, 2007 Posted January 6, 2007 If this is wat you are talking about, the mini houston is only 13wpc. I own the mini 1998 before i change to Sun audio 2A3. It's a wonderful amp with punch that belies it's output. It sounded really good with JJ or Ei EL84s and NOS 5751s (12ax7). However it may sound bright with the wrong speakers. And also it's output transformers are known to blow, so better not to use it with not-so-sensitive speakers (<88db/8ohm) cos it will tax those transformers too much. For MIC amps, other than MingDa (COEM audio) and AudioSpace (Audio 88), there's also the Dared amps (analogue audio) and Cayin (Precision audio). However, most MIC tube amps do not have good resale value if you dun like the sound and thinking of reselling. Audiospace and Cayin amp have better resale value. I believe the laidback character in your system may b caused by the passive pre which is a minimalist shunt design. Do check out sky audio whether they offer home trial for the diva pre. No harm trying. If you dun like it, then you check out the MIC tube amps or other options. Audition Caiyin amps at Precision yesterday all i can say i was totally blown away! Really impressive :o
neji_kun Posted January 6, 2007 Author Posted January 6, 2007 I bought the cayin amp A50T today from precision audio. Now running Denon dcd 3520 --> klotz 107 --> cayin A50-T --> QED XT400 --> Quad 11L. :)
civicguy Posted January 8, 2007 Posted January 8, 2007 I bought the cayin amp A50T today from precision audio. how much :)
2100 Posted January 8, 2007 Posted January 8, 2007 I bought the cayin amp A50T today from precision audio. Now running Denon dcd 3520 --> klotz 107 --> cayin A50-T --> QED XT400 --> Quad 11L. :) Good choice. Next step would be to change the coupling capacitors for another BIG change in sound. *evil* ;D The output transformers actually don't seem to be that bad.
Darthfunk Posted January 8, 2007 Posted January 8, 2007 I might consider one when i shift to a new place. Cant remember which model but was price at $980. It seriously change my mine on music listening.
rahul Posted January 9, 2007 Posted January 9, 2007 Hi If I have a 1000-1200$ budget for an AV receiver which performs well for HT and music as well. Should I go for a # higher end AVR eg Marantz SR8500 # low end AVR 5-600$ + a used power/integrated amp (connected via AV preouts for front channels) 4-500$ What would give me best performance ? Also suggest what AVR/amp would work out in my budget. thanks
SiriuslyCold Posted January 10, 2007 Posted January 10, 2007 IMO splitting the budget would cripple both systems. Buy a good receiver - it'll sound decent for music, then when you can/want, add a power amp for the front channels.
hifiluv Posted January 10, 2007 Posted January 10, 2007 go audition the SR8500, Marantz has been well known to be quite musical as an AV amp . i am hving an entry level SR4200, 6 yrs old and still fit as a fiddle... ;D
rahul Posted January 10, 2007 Posted January 10, 2007 I demoed a Marantz SR4001 amp today. Sounded terrible with all speakers including Quad22L I also heard a Cayin tube amp hooked to Monitor Audio GS20 speakers. They sounded sweeeet ! A mushy type number was playing and the vocals just flowed. Damn now everything else sounds harsh in comparison >:( Anyone got an idea about this hybrid amp ? http://www.vincent-tac.de/en/design/dl4/sp331.php Is it any good ?
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