Warm Amplifier suggestion for Monitor Audio Silver 100 6g

[Dv p]

I have B&W 606s paired with Cambridge Audio CXA60.

It is really bright and fatiguing.
I am about to get me MA Silver 100 6g from SNA member.

I want to replace my CA amplifier with something on the warmer side of neutral.

What would you suggest?

[Steff]

What sort of price range do you have in mind? And...integrated preferred or other combo possible?

[sir sanders zingmore]

EDIT: I didn't read the question!

 

I would suggest that the brightness you heard came from the speakers rather than the amp. B&Ws can be bright

 

Try your new speakers with the Cambridge before you write it off

[hugo_wilco]

@Dv p

Edited September 25 by hugo_wilco

[Dv p]

38 minutes ago, Steff said:

What sort of price range do you have in mind? And...integrated preferred or other combo possible?

Around AUD 1000. New or second hand doesn't matter.

[rantan]

I have a pair of 50th Anniversary Silver 100, which are sonically the same

as the "regular" Silver 100.

@hugo_wilco s Naim Nait would be a very nice match if the budget can be stretched, but for sub $1K I would definitely recommend the Roksan Caspian which @Cafad had listed recently.

I am not sure if he still has it but for $860 it would be worth sending him a quick PM.

Another good match would be  the Rega Brio R (latest model ), but I would go for the Caspian. ( I was thinking of picking it up myself ) but I don't need more amplifiers.

I highly recommend that and if you don't buy it I probably will if still available.

[BRS]

What's your listening room like? Carpets, curtains, etc may help with harshness.   

[Cafad]

The Roksan Caspian is still available. 

(And now that the shameless plug is out of the way.)

 

But I would weigh in in support of Sir Sanders and try out the Cambridge with the new speakers before moving it on.  The previous model lower to mid-range Cambridge amps (600 and 500 series) were a bit bright, moving to a warmer sound with the 840 and 850 models.  I am not familiar with the CXA models but from the OP's comments above I'm guessing they are probably similar.  

 

A Rega Brio R is a nice warm amp, as are most Exposure, Naim and Arcam amps.  

[Dv p]

3 hours ago, Cafad said:

The Roksan Caspian is still available. 

(And now that the shameless plug is out of the way.)

 

But I would weigh in in support of Sir Sanders and try out the Cambridge with the new speakers before moving it on.  The previous model lower to mid-range Cambridge amps (600 and 500 series) were a bit bright, moving to a warmer sound with the 840 and 850 models.  I am not familiar with the CXA models but from the OP's comments above I'm guessing they are probably similar.  

 

A Rega Brio R is a nice warm amp, as are most Exposure, Naim and Arcam amps.  

 

Thanks @Cafad. I keep hearing about Rega Brio R having nice and warm sound.
But it's rated 50 Watts at 8ohm. While MA silver 100 are rated sensitivity 88db and power requirement 40-120 W.
Will Rega Brio R be able to drive MAs optimally?

[andyr]

1 hour ago, Dv p said:

Thanks @Cafad. I keep hearing about Rega Brio R having nice and warm sound.
But it's rated 50 Watts at 8ohm. While MA silver 100 are rated sensitivity 88db and power requirement 40-120 W.
Will Rega Brio R be able to drive MAs optimally?

 

Mmm ... I can't find any specs for the Rega Brio R that give its performance into 4 ohms (as distinct to 8 ohms).  

 

Generally, 'no specs' indicates that the amp is not capable of "doubling down" into 4 ohms - however, as the impedance of your MA Silver 100s doesn't drop to below 5 ohms ... this may not be a problem.

 

Sorry that I can't be any more help.  Will your hifi dealer allow you to audition one at home?

 

[PKay]

I would highly recommend a Sonneteer Alabaster but they are around $2k (if you can find one), nice warm sound and will they will drive a lot of speakers well.  Mine has sold but if you keep your eyes open you may find one.

 

 

[JCM]

11 hours ago, Dv p said:

 

Thanks @Cafad. I keep hearing about Rega Brio R having nice and warm sound.
But it's rated 50 Watts at 8ohm. While MA silver 100 are rated sensitivity 88db and power requirement 40-120 W.
Will Rega Brio R be able to drive MAs optimally?

 

I recently  changed from a  quite well regarded very expensive high out put integrated at 200 wpc doubling in 4 ohms to a Rega Elict R to drive my KEF R7 and the sound is superb I would say Lush, I paid a fair bit more than the one listed in the classifieds at the moment, I was a bit dubious about how they rate the out put but it seems to have plenty of power and gain I can’t get much past half way before it is too loud I’m talking part levels, I think @hugo_wilco Naim would also be an excellent option, if mainly listing a modest levels them it’s the fist few watts that really count, 

[Cafad]

Well worth a thought.  An excellent amp.

[THOMO]

Those speakers are likely to sound bright with an upward sloping response like that.

I would have  L pads installed on the tweeters so you can turn them down a bit.

 

[Al.M]

Have you experimented with room positioning and less bright cabling etc, face speaker less tow in away from listening position, if not already try sound absorbing furnishings etc carpet, curtains, walls etc. As Thomo mentioned an L-pad attenuation to tweeters or play around with adding in series along positive tweeter wire higher value resistors, cost about $2-3 each.

 

Heaps of $1000 used speakers out there Kef Ls50, Lenehans, other B&W, Spendor, Proac, Monitor Audio, Focal, Whatmough, Sonus Faber etc

 

For amps consider Musical Fidelity, NAD Bee series, Roksan as mentioned, Yamaha AS series 800, 1100, Copland etc. See what’s around currently.

Edited October 1 by Al.M

[andyr]

18 minutes ago, Al.M said:

less tow in away from listening position,

 

It's actually "toe in", Al.  ("Toes" as in "duck feet" - pointing inwards.)