Amp suggestions up to $3500ish

[Keith Anderson]

I have a Brio-R and quite like it but after hearing the new Elicit-R I'm starting to think of a upgrade, more dynamic, more sound stage, more clarity etc. the Brio-R will go to the studio if I do. But when looking at amps in this price range I know there are heaps worth looking at. So this is where I'd like to find out how you would spend your money.

 

Another things also is I like tubes, I use a Woo Audio headphone amp and love it, so was even thinking of a Weston or Consonance or insert brand here tube amps.

 

Speakers are Monitor Audio GS10 88db I listen at around 75-80db with distance from speakers about 3 meters, The minimum amp I think I need is 50wpc

 

Suggestions on what to listen to

Edited July 2, 2013 by keitha

[Guest Willow]

G'day keitha , as an owner of one of Weston's quality pieces I don't think you could go wrong.

 

The big KT120's work extremely well with the majority of music genres and there is the added bonus of plenty of power on tap when needed , down the track you will be tube-rolling in the aisles swapping in-and-out all manner of 6SN7's and salivating over a pair of Mullard GZ34's you've picked up for a song. 

 

Good luck with the prospecting.

[davewantsmoore]

In general tube amps are not a great match for your speakers ....  you might like the result  (boosted but underpowered bass, and boosted treble) ....  but a speaker with more resistive impedance would be best.... or an amplifier with lower output impedance  (in general not tube amps)  

 

Tubes are good in headphone amps for higher impedance cans, as the amp needs to swing a lot of voltage (tubes are good for this).....  OTOH, loudspeakers are commonly lower impedance (require more current), and a significantly non-zero output impedance, will make the speaker response follow the impedance curve  (see above what will happen to your speaker).......  Sing out for more 'why' if interested.

 

 

$3500 is a lot of choices.

Edited July 2, 2013 by davewantsmoore

[Cafad]

See if you can demo an Exposure, either a 2010S2 or a 3010S2.  Very smooth and warm. 

 

However your budget allows for so much choice that it does my head in at this early hour, search around, one of the top Cambridges, either 840a, 850a or 851a, would be worth a demo as well, tons of well controlled power there.

 

Plenty of choice in the Redgum range too, also smooth, warm and powerful.

[andyr]

I have a Brio-R and quite like it but after hearing the new Elicit-R I'm starting to think of a upgrade, more dynamic, more sound stage, more clarity etc. the Brio-R will go to the studio if I do. But when looking at amps in this price range I know there are heaps worth looking at. So this is where I'd like to find out how you would spend your money.

 

Another things also is I like tubes, I use a Woo Audio headphone amp and love it, so was even thinking of a Weston or Consonance or insert brand here tube amps.

 

Speakers are Monitor Audio GS10 88db I listen at around 75-80db with distance from speakers about 3 meters, The minimum amp I think I need is 50wpc

 

Suggestions on what to listen to

 

It will be well under your budget but, as you're in Melbourne, why don't you pay a visit to Hugh Dean (Rosanna) to listen to his NAKSA 80.  Having heard one, I can assure you it blows away many amps which are a lot more expensive (I will be buying 2 of them, at some stage, for my active rig, as an upgrade from Lifeforce 55s).  And he designs them to sound a bit "tubey"!    You can get his contact details from his website:

http://www.aksaonline.com/contact/contact.html

 

He does make up it up as a complete "retail" amp, as well as selling just the finished modules.

 

 

Regards,

 

Andy

[THOMO]

You could get a very nice second hand Accuphase for that.Something like a 305V would take some beating.

[Peter_F]

You could get a very nice second hand Accuphase for that.Something like a 305V would take some beating.

This is the only recommendation so far that I agree with.  IMHO secondhand Accuphase gear is clearly the best bang for dollar and holds it value far more than boutique equipment.  No contest IMO.

[Rhythm Willie]

Seeing you are in Melbourne, I would also recommend you at least visit Hugh Dean and listen to his AKSA amps.

I auditioned numerous amps(transistor and valve) prior to settling on AKSA 100N+ monos, which replaced a "hi end" amp back in 2003. I upgraded to a newer AKSA design (Soraya 105 watt) about 2 years ago. The Naksas get great reviews.

My speakers are pretty difficult load for some amplifiers, but both my AKSA amps are just in cruise mode at the high volumes listening to bass heavy music. They really (like many good amps), bely their wattage rating and even in the middle of summer the amp's heatsinks hardly get warm. You would be hard to find too many amps out there that music just sounds so nice.

Demoed Vaf's new I93 last year (which are an easier load) with them and Philip was pretty impressed.

[Scratcher]

I agree, Accuphase is hard to beat.

Good luck finding someone who is willing to let one go....

[kdoot]

If you like the Rega sound, the Elicit R might be the easy, obvious choice. It's in the right power output range for your speakers and has a decent phono stage built in. See if your dealer will let you have a home audition?

[analog brother]

2nd hand classe ca-200

[Keith Anderson]

The Elicit-R is on my list but I've never really heard others, I'm sort of after a integrated as well.

[cheekyboy]

Hi Keith,

 

If you're after an integrated amp than these won't suit you, but I can highly recommend them to you. Match them with a good pre and you've got your amplification sorted.

 

Cheers,

 

Keith

[betty boop]

I've heard these speakers on end of musical fidelity a5 integrated and a5 valve cd as source. We're a lovely match for what are lovely speakers

Not sure valve amp would be a go with these speakers. But certainly can look at a valve CD player if looking for a touch of valves.

Either above item do pop up 2nd hand so worth looking out and your looking at circa $2k for either so well within budget !

Edited July 3, 2013 by :) al

[bwhitesox]

I've heard these speakers on end of musical fidelity a5 integrated and a5 valve cd as source. We're a lovely match for what are lovely speakers

Not sure valve amp would be a go with these speakers. But certainly can look at a valve CD player if looking for a touch of valves.

Either above item do pop up 2nd hand so worth looking out and your looking at circa $2k for either so well within budget !

 

I have also heard these on the A5's and totally agree that these are a perfect match.

[Keith Anderson]

I love McIntosh amps, bit out of my price range but thinking as it has a dac as well maybe I can worm my wife into saying yes  :o can't find a Aus price but $4500US. 

 

http://www.mcintoshlabs.com/us/Products/pages/ProductDetails.aspx?CatId=integratedamps&ProductId=MA5200

[Cafad]

Mmmmm, drool worthy!

[buddyev]

I just bought a creek evolution 5350 - its very good, tons of power and built like a tank. Its a step down from the destiny which I was vaguely looking for when this one appeared. I reckon the destiny is worth a listen in your price bracket.

[murrmax]

I owned MA studios a long time ago and tried a lot of amps on them from memory ME, Audio Analogue were great, I would think Accuphase, Aksa, Plinius would also be good choices

But you need to audition really

[thoglette]

At $3500 you've got lots to listen to.   Many of the bespoke A/NZ manufactures will have something in that range. 

 

There's a few people peddling ST-70 clones which will have the oomph you need.  You need to listen to one just to remove it from the list.    

 

+1 on listening to AKSA - I've not hear the latest but I know how Hugh got where he is.

 

On the numbers you're quoting you may get away with ten good watts - is that RMS or peak? 

 

The ME-vangilists will swoop down shortly too.  Followed by the RedGum chippers.

[A J]

I owned MA studios a long time ago and tried a lot of amps on them from memory ME, Audio Analogue were great, I would think Accuphase, Aksa, Plinius would also be good choices

But you need to audition really

Good choices

[Keith Anderson]

Thanks for all the suggestions, a few amps to go find and have a listen to, the Music Fidelity M6i looks pretty good and I can find it under $4k so will have to try that, Then I have to try a McIntosh even if it blows the $3.5k budget.

 

I may update the speakers one day so this amp I want to last pretty much forever

 

Can't even find Accuphase anywhere in my google search, anywhere in Melbourne that has them?

[Keith Anderson]

In general tube amps are not a great match for your speakers ....  you might like the result  (boosted but underpowered bass, and boosted treble) ....  but a speaker with more resistive impedance would be best.... or an amplifier with lower output impedance  (in general not tube amps)  

 

Tubes are good in headphone amps for higher impedance cans, as the amp needs to swing a lot of voltage (tubes are good for this).....  OTOH, loudspeakers are commonly lower impedance (require more current), and a significantly non-zero output impedance, will make the speaker response follow the impedance curve  (see above what will happen to your speaker).......  Sing out for more 'why' if interested.

 

 

$3500 is a lot of choices.

Well don't really understand any of that. My headphones are AKG 701's, and at 62ohm I thought that was low impedance for a headphone and the Woo sound superb with them, It sit at a 12 o'clock on the dial and it's way plenty loud enough but with so much detail and clarity. 

[betty boop]

Thanks for all the suggestions, a few amps to go find and have a listen to, the Music Fidelity M6i looks pretty good and I can find it under $4k so will have to try that, Then I have to try a McIntosh even if it blows the $3.5k budget.

 

I may update the speakers one day so this amp I want to last pretty much forever

 

Can't even find Accuphase anywhere in my google search, anywhere in Melbourne that has them?

m6i is basically refresh of the a5/a5.5 integrated. internally theres 2/5s bugger all difference between them so grab cheapest of either that can find

 

theres an m6i going 2nd hand here

http://www.dtvforum.info/index.php?showtopic=133051

[blakey72]

Just bought a Exposure 2010S2 Amp and 3010S2 Power Amp combo for $2k. 110 watts of clean, smooth power has my vote.