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Looking for ideas - new mono blocks for stereo music

Hello!

I am on a bit of a mission to upgrade my equipment and just recently purchased the Esoteric K-01X SACD player.
In my case, the primary focus for critical listening is stereo music (aka red book CD) from the Esoteric.
My current chain is from the Esoteric through the Marantz 8802A into the Bryston 7B-SST2 powering a pair of JBL 1400 Array speakers.
I am very happy with the JBLs and just upgraded to the K-01X (had the X-03SE before).

Right now I would like to hear some suggestions for new mono blocks. I am already planning on adding the Esoteric C-03X(s) to the system to replace the Marantz as (stereo) pre-amp.

The primary focus is detail and resolution as I really love hearing new aspects of CDs that previous equipment couldn't reveal.
Soundstage and instrument placement are also high on the list. Bass slam / impact is not really a priority since I am stuck in an apartment for the time being.
Another factor is heat - I am looking for an amp, not a space heater. Especially considering the already hot summers in Toronto!
The price ceiling for me is somewhere around $20,000/pair

My current short list consists of:
Grandinote
Pass Labs
Simaudio
Mark Levinson

Now it's time for the brainpool (that's you guys!) to have at it :)

Thanks in advance!
128x128eohtar
eohtar's avatar
eohtar OP
15 posts
 
Not even a day in and already got some great feedback - thank you to everyone who took the time to post a reply.

I'll be able to listen to the Bryston 7B3 as well as the Pass Labs here in Toronto.
I already had a chance to audition the Grandinote Silva (single box 'dual mono' design) and was quite impressed with how the sound filled the room and was not tied to the speaker cabinets. Definitely had a lot of bottom end and punch. Hard to tell about resolution and detail as I could at the time only demo it with different speakers and unknown music.

Let me dig into which of the more exotic brands that were mentioned I will be able to listen to locally.
caphill
496 posts
 
Are you leaning more towards SS or tube? For tubes I like Audio Research, Lamm, VAC, BAT. PS Audio BHK monoblock amps are excellent too.

For SS, give a listen to the Vitus Audio, either their Signature series or their Reference series, and some Tidal and Soulution stuff if you have access to them. They are phenomenal.
The Parasound Halo JC1 or the new JC5 are bargain considering their performances and are highly recommended. The recently discontinued Classe Delta CAM-600 class AB monoblock amps are also spectacular and can be had at discounts nowadays. Some higher end Naim amps are very musical and has very good rhythmic drive and are special. 

scorpio1951
171 posts
 
  No doubt you'll get as many answers as there are members here. I use a pair of Sanders Sound Labs monoblock Magtech amps to drive a pair of Apogee Duetta II's. The monoblocks are $11,000 for a pair. I have used them for over four years with no problems, and Roger Sanders is a great guy to deal with. 
eohtar's avatar
eohtar OP
15 posts
 
As pointed out and to narrow this down a bit let's just go with SS (not really a tube guy anyway - way too OCD for tubes ;) ) and class AB.

Being in Canada does limit my options somewhat and while I appreciate some of the more exotic suggestions, buying, let alone demo, them will be almost impossible.

Parasound has come up twice already, so I really need to look into their options.
Classe is another brand that I forgot to add to my short list.
auxinput
1,538 posts
 

Having direct experience with Parasound JC1s and A21, I will say that it is a very engaging amplifier for music.  Very thick midrange, especially the horns.  However, it is not a resolution beast.  The Parasound voicing is definitely on the warm side of neutral with softer highs.  It is very smooth and refined, but it is going to be a LOT softer than your current 7Bsst2 amplifiers. 

The traditional Classe "Class AB" amplifiers will be a good choice for resolution.  It's difficult to say whether the Classe is going to be better or worse than Bryston 7b3.  I have not directly heard either.

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