Need a new amplifier. Need a good match for my Audio Research LS7 preamp
Speakers - B&W CDM-7NT
NAD CD Player
10x12 room
SS or Tube, New, or used. Looking to tame a little top end brightness, and more clarity at higher volume.
Mostly Classic Rock, Reggae, Singer songwriter stuff, with a smattering of Jazz and Bluegrass. Lots of ground to cover.
Current amp was an Arcam Alpha 10 100wpc.
Looking to spend around $1500.
Saw a used Odyssey Khartago Extreme for under $1k, but don't know much about it, other than needs to be biased to your homes electric output, and had some real good reviews. Sounds a little finicky.
Appreciate your input
B&W’s tend to be a bright sounding speaker. If you get a solid state amp you should get a FET type which tend to have a tube like sound. Here is one that should fit the bill! http://www.avahifi.com/products/power-amplifiers/synergy-amplifiers/synergy-240-solid-state-amplifie... |
I agree with yogiboy that brightness is a common comment about that speaker. Whatever you do, do an audition if at all possible! Its very easy to flush lots of $$$$ down the loo otherwise.... I would use tubes, but because of the design of the speaker you will need a tube amp that employs a bit of feedback. This will sound smoother than most transistor amps you can find. The RM-100 by Roger Modjeski would be a good amp if you can find one, I think they are discontinued. The Cary SLM-100 or similar would be another good used choice. Tube power is more expensive than solid state, so to get the same power I think used is the way to go. Good Luck! |
How's your room acoustics? Brightness at higher volume may indicate a "live" room. Even the cheap acoustic foam is better than nothing, but thicker the better, like 3 or 4 inch. I covered Roxul panels to good effect. I agree with the amp suggestion to the extent that it won't be as shrill as the Arcam, but the better amp won't tame a shrill speaker and room. |
