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What to put between a Calypso a Mini Utopias?

I have been trying to develop a "short list" of amplifiers to evaluate. My preamp is an Aesthetix Calypso and my speakers are JM Labs Mini Utopias.

There are many glowing reviews about mating an YBA Passion the Mini Utopia, but I'm not looking for an integrated amp solution at this time. I am committed Calypso.

The Mini Utopias are 91.5 dB efficient and JM Labs recommends an amp no higher than 150W. They are only capable of low frequency down to 39Hz. I use a sub to help shore up the bottom end.

Stereophile said “the Calypso will need to be used with a power amplifier offering an input impedance of at least 30k ohms if the bass is not to sound lean.”

In terms of cost, I suppose I would like to come in under $5K, but I wouldn’t hesitate to increase the budget if the sound quality warranted it.

Any experiences or ideas would be greatly appreciated. BTW, solid states, tubes, doesn’t matter to me either way. It's all about the music. Fussing with equipment doesn't bother me if the end justifies the means.

Thanks
buckr
buckr OP
9 posts
 
Rlew, it certainly does make sense to give very strong consideration to an YBA separate amp given all the strong press on the YBA Passion integrated.

The problem is finding a dealer anywhere in my section of the country. The YBA web site does not have a dealer locater facility. I have invested a lot of time trying to find dealers for this product line and it has not been an easy journey. East of the Mississippi River would be preferable.
mapleleafs3
190 posts
 
Give the Rouge M-150 some consideration.
jond's avatar
jond
3,400 posts
 
I'm running a pair of Micro Utopias, pretty similar specs I think, with a 50 watt Graaf stereo tube amp. Great speakers and super easy to drive, I would say try tubes if you can.
jadem6's avatar
jadem6
1,071 posts
 
The Utopias are wonderful speakers. You did not mention your source, but I assume it too is of high quality. Given what I know (I own the Calypso, Dunlavy IVa speakers and Plinius SA-102 amp) I could simply say PLINIUS MAN! But I don't think you are asking me how much I love my system, but what options should you consider. If it was me, and understanding I like the solid state, yet pure Class A, 125 watt characteristics of my Plinius, I have two used amps to consider.

First there have been a number of four to seven year old Rowland amps for under $5000. These are very natural, magical amps and might be an excellent match to your system. The second is clearly over your budget, but you asked if there was something special. I would do some research on Lamm. Lamm has been the step up for many Plinius owners. They are pure liquid magic. I will never be in a position to consider these amazing products, but if you can stretch, I would certainly look into them.

Classe and YBA are fine amps to look at too, but for my taste it would be a simple look.

jd
buckr OP
9 posts
 
Great input on the solid state options.

YBA, Plinius and the Rowland have made it to my solid state short list for sure.

BTW, my sources are an MMF7 turntable (with a Living Voice Carbon Fiber record mat)going through an EAR 834P phone pre for the analog path. The digital path starts with basic cd transport that gets processed by a Monarchy DIP Upsampler then through a Benchmark Media DAC1 then into the Calypso. I listen to everything 'guitar' across every genre imaginable. Speed and accuracy is very important to me, but I am also looking for a full rich sound as well.

I am really starting to believe that having the Calypso as a tube front end and a high quality solid state amp on the back end may be just the ticket I’m looking for.
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