2. amps-preamps
  3. 130946-10748

New Class A/B under $6K, your recommendation?

Okay I'm tiring of my class D amps and have upgradeitis. I want to try a latest greatest Class A/B amp - I'm thinking Benchmark AHB2, or Son of Ampzilla, or?
 I can drive it with a Manley 300B pre, or a Wyred 4 Sound pre, or directly from my Benchmark DAC into big BG Radia 600 speakers that are rated up to 400 watts. They are line array types using BG planar magnetic drivers - intended for wall mounting, but after hearing them and speaking with a BG engineer, I built beautiful boxes for them according to specs and have been grinning ever since.
 I spoke with Rory from Benchmark and he suggested that 1 amp - even though rated at 100 watts per channel would suffice. I could always order a second and use them bridged and be at the upper end of my budget.
 Any thoughts on what else I should be looking at? I'm looking for: Imaging, space, neutral sound (not cold, not lush and warm) - I can color with my pre if I should so desire. Thanks for your input!!
24phun
krell_fan1's avatar
krell_fan1
26 posts
 
 I have two power amps: I have the iconic Krell FPB 300cx 2.0 stereo amp for my mains and this new Anthrm 3 channel for my other 3 speakers. The Anthem 2 Channel amp is an impressive sounding amp. I LOVE my 3 channel  and it is in great company of course with my coveted Krell. 

But for around 5.5k prepared to be blown away by the 300w per channel A/B Bryston 4B3. I auditioned it last year and it sounded 90%?as good as my class A Krell sounds and that machine was 10K way back in year 2001! 
krell_fan1's avatar
krell_fan1
26 posts
 
 Sorry, but I forgot to include the links!  

http://bryston.com/products/power_amps/4B-3.html

https://www.anthemav.com/products-current/type=amplifier/series=mca-series-gen2
rmasoni
14 posts
 
I'm prepared to sell my Pathos Acoustics Inpol2 pure Class A Integrated amp for $3950. Mint with NOS Mullard input tubes/MOSFET output.  It is still Pathos' flagship integrated, $13K new, and in a totally different league than all the above . . . 
hifidream's avatar
hifidream
47 posts
 
Absolutely love my AHB2 amps, loads of power, dynamic range, and amazingly transparent. They drive my Maggies with ease and are dead quiet. 

andrei_nz
106 posts
 
Onkyo M-5000R.  Except for some tube exotica you will not find a better looking Amplifier.  But wait - there's more!  This baby sounds better than it looks.  I have heard one and it has power and accuracy.  Strangely it is rated at 85 Watts but seems vastly more powerful.  It was much lauded by Hi-Fi Choice magazine.
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