glenn469 Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 Hi all, Discussed with you guys a little while ago about upgrading speakers. I have myself a set of bowers and Wilkins 702s2. I'm now looking for a power amp for them. Source will be a Nad c658 DAC/pre amp, Ill use the home theatre bypass when watching movies. Primary focus is good 2ch audio. For a power amp I am looking at a NAD M22v2 - 4500$ or a pair of Rotel rb-1581 monoblocks - probably about total 5500$. What do you guys suggest? Will those options pair nicely, any other options you would recommend. 5k is about the budget for power amps. The rb1590 is too tall for my av unit and floor is not an option. Regards, Glenn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buddyev Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 An Elektra Reference HD would do the job very well. https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChcSEwjetczKurnxAhVFg0sFHVtDA74YABAAGgJzZg&ae=2&ohost=www.google.com&cid=CAASEuRotbNp9Aevg1BnP4w9jDh4ZA&sig=AOD64_2PGdyGffFGqqmShSR94v03btKoFg&q&adurl&ved=2ahUKEwiEqMTKurnxAhU17XMBHVW2BwUQ0Qx6BAgCEAE&dct=1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al.M Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 Here is an amp list https://www.stereo.net.au/forums/topic/325588-sna-amplifiers-and-preamps-audition-shortlist/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astrosound Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 43 minutes ago, buddyev said: An Elektra Reference HD would do the job very well. https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChcSEwjetczKurnxAhVFg0sFHVtDA74YABAAGgJzZg&ae=2&ohost=www.google.com&cid=CAASEuRotbNp9Aevg1BnP4w9jDh4ZA&sig=AOD64_2PGdyGffFGqqmShSR94v03btKoFg&q&adurl&ved=2ahUKEwiEqMTKurnxAhU17XMBHVW2BwUQ0Qx6BAgCEAE&dct=1 Ozi made? Nah, thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rantan Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 32 minutes ago, Astrosound said: Ozi made? Nah, thanks. Why not? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glenn469 Posted June 28, 2021 Author Share Posted June 28, 2021 5 minutes ago, rantan said: Why not? Sounds like a good option. I'll add it to my list of options. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buddyev Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 I had the older Elektra on my b&w 805 for several years. They’re well made amps with enough grunt to drive power hungry speakers and, in my experience, with very good local service back up. Another option if you are willing to consider a class d amps would be one or two of these, also Australian. https://www.marchaudio.net.au/p452-purifi-amplifier i compared one with my Elektra and was impressed by it, though not enough to replace the Elektra. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glenn469 Posted June 28, 2021 Author Share Posted June 28, 2021 8 hours ago, buddyev said: I had the older Elektra on my b&w 805 for several years. They’re well made amps with enough grunt to drive power hungry speakers and, in my experience, with very good local service back up. Another option if you are willing to consider a class d amps would be one or two of these, also Australian. https://www.marchaudio.net.au/p452-purifi-amplifier i compared one with my Elektra and was impressed by it, though not enough to replace the Elektra. Thanks, the elektra sounds like the best option so far with the bonus of being aussie made. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glenn469 Posted June 28, 2021 Author Share Posted June 28, 2021 9 hours ago, Al.M said: Here is an amp list https://www.stereo.net.au/forums/topic/325588-sna-amplifiers-and-preamps-audition-shortlist/ Thanks, will go have a look at the options in detail. appreciate the link 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanRM Posted July 10, 2021 Share Posted July 10, 2021 Another vote for the Elektra HD reference. I have the previous B&W CM10s and tried different amps, including an Emotiva, but the Elektra just delivers the sort of power that these speakers need. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyW Posted July 17, 2021 Share Posted July 17, 2021 Cannot argue with the recommended list at the stereo,net link above… I’m currently running the parasound A21+ and a good friend has the A21 before it. It’s been around for a while and if you could pick one up second hand you would have a great amp for the price you might like. By all accounts built like a tank, well it does feel like it at 35 kg or so. But what I love is it’s one of the amps that can deliver up to 60 amps of current… massive. I don’t think you’d easily outgrow this amp. It drives my B&W 802 D3 flawlessly. It’s also one of the few “reasonably” priced amps on rated class A quality on Stereophile ( that’s not the be all and end all I know but….). happy amp hunting… Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
POV Posted July 17, 2021 Share Posted July 17, 2021 I'd look at getting 2 of these: Creek Evolution 100a Outstanding amps, honestly do not think you can do better for 5k Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prakashsvce Posted September 4, 2021 Share Posted September 4, 2021 Hi, I started with Anthem MCA. But the speakers were lifeless. Does not even sound like a $500 speaker. I then upgraded to Emotiva XPA-DR2. Now I can hear every nuance of a music. Since now Emotiva is not available in Oz, I would recommend Rotel 1581 monos. Dont go for anything less than 500W continuous output. Keep some $$$ for a good tube-preamp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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