DabeBear Posted January 3 Posted January 3 For the past 6 or so years, my system has been a Simaudio 380D DAC into an Electrocompaniet ECI-5 MKII integrated, driving Gershman Acoustics GAP-828s. I bought the ECI-5 thinking that I might upgrade the DAC to something like a Denafrips or Holo Audio and would need the volume control. I don't really have space for a DAC + preamp + amp (nor do I want the expense of a high quality analog preamp). I've decided that I'm pretty happy with the 380D though, and it has the M-Evol volume board on it, meaning that ironically the Sim has a much better volume control system (from my understanding pretty much borrowed straight out of the P7 preamp) than the motorized potentiometer in the ECI-5. All that out of the way, the ECI-5 is beginning to fail, with a bad left channel that keeps shutting down with a DC power warning. So I figured, if I have to take it out of the system anyway to fix it, why not replace it with a dedicated power amp, and use the Sim's far superior volume control. Where I'm a bit stuck is what that should be. I'm primarily looking on the secondary market, as I would rather someone else eat the massive amount of deprecation. Simaudio 860 V2 seems like an obvious choice, but I've seen some reports that it's kind of overpriced, and overrated. Another potential choice would be an imported Accuphase, with 120V conversion by the dealer. Definitely not using a step-down transformer. The imports though cost half of new MSRP from a US based Accuphase dealer, and that's impossible to ignore. Luxman M10-X is just too much money for me too seriously consider, even used. There's also the possibility of TAD M2500 (V1) at a very good price. I'm generally not interested in small Class D boxes using off the shelf modules, power bricks or little switch mode power supplies and buckets of global negative feedback to please the Audio Science Review crowd, but I am curious about what state of the art Class D might be like. The efficiency is appealing. TL;DR - thinking about Sim 860 V2, Accuphase P4600 or A48S, or TAD M2500 as the primary choices right now. My preference tends to lean more in the lush/romantic direction rather than bright/forward/ultra detailed, which makes me think that Accuphase is where I should be looking. Would much appreciate any thoughts, or alternate suggestions.
aussievintage Posted January 3 Posted January 3 1 hour ago, DabeBear said: but I am curious about what state of the art Class D might be like. The efficiency is appealing. Yep, throw away any existing biases from what you might have read and heard, and give a good one a try. I think you will be impressed. 1
frankn Posted January 3 Posted January 3 I just came across this and I’m about to list a pair of March Audio P421 monoblock amplifiers that I’ve from new (purchased 3yrs ago)…… they present as new. if you are interested send a DM or wait for my FS ad to eventuate.
DabeBear Posted January 4 Author Posted January 4 37 minutes ago, aussievintage said: Yep, throw away any existing biases from what you might have read and heard, and give a good one a try. I think you will be impressed. That's the direction I'm leaning right now. The M2500 is a few thousand less than either of the Accuphase models or the Simaudio, and if I end up really liking it, all the better. Obviously there's no power concerns in the way there (might) be driving the 8 Ohm, 88dB/W/m Gershmans from the 50W Accuphase Class A amp. I'd be buying it from a dealer, so if for some reason I absolutely hate it (like say, a Krell) I could send it back within the 30 day return window. It wouldn't be fun or cheap shipping it back to them, but at least I wouldn't be stuck with it. 1
aussievintage Posted January 4 Posted January 4 (edited) 7 minutes ago, DabeBear said: The M2500 is a few thousand less than either of the Accuphase models or the Simaudio, and if I end up really liking it, all the better. I hadn't looked at this one before. It's a bit odd, in that it seems to use an linear power supply, hence it is still a heavy amplifier. I don't know, but I think I would rather something built from the Purifi modules, or similar, using a good switching supply. Edited January 4 by aussievintage 1
DabeBear Posted January 4 Author Posted January 4 48 minutes ago, aussievintage said: I hadn't looked at this one before. It's a bit odd, in that it seems to use an linear power supply, hence it is still a heavy amplifier. I don't know, but I think I would rather something built from the Purifi modules, or similar, using a good switching supply. My experience with those has not been particularly positive. Anyone can take some OTS modules and slap them in a box. Those Purifi modules from my understanding use basically all the negative feedback in the world to get those oh so pretty THD numbers - at the cost of what you would expect when using the entire world's supply of GNFB - ie an upper treble region that sounds like chalk.
aussievintage Posted January 4 Posted January 4 (edited) 27 minutes ago, DabeBear said: Those Purifi modules from my understanding use basically all the negative feedback in the world to get those oh so pretty THD numbers It's actually way more complicated internally than that. See if you can find some of Bruno's technical videos explaining it. My guess is, if all the reseller's do is slap some modules in a box, then it's random chance if the result sounds OK. Edited January 4 by aussievintage
frankn Posted January 4 Posted January 4 (edited) 18 minutes ago, aussievintage said: It's actually way more complicated internally than that. See if you can find some of Bruno's technical videos explaining it. My guess is, if all they do is slap some modules in a box, then it's random chance if the result sounds OK. The switching mode power supply/regulation is hugely important to getting great sound. I was using BHK 300 monoblock amplifiers to power my Quad 2905 ESLs for several years then I decided to have a change and built a Linkwitz 521.4 system and that is powered with Class-D modules. In the interim while building the Linkwitz I decided to try the March Audio Class-D (EIGENTAKT) P421 monoblock amplifiers. I’m glad I did because the result was small size factor amplifiers that competed sonically and weight/impact as the 45Kg (per unit) / very well regarded BHK 300 monoblocks. Edited January 4 by frankn 1
aussievintage Posted January 4 Posted January 4 1 minute ago, frankn said: The switching mode power supply/regulation is hugely important to getting great sound. As is the little front-end/gain stage you need to add in front of many modules. 1 minute ago, frankn said: I’m glad I did because the result was small size factor amplifiers that competed sonically and weight/impact as the 45Kg (per unit) / very well regarded BHK 300 monoblocks. You're not alone in that. 1
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