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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
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.

twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
1,457 posts
 

Check out what's happening now with Classe.  Company is defunct.  To be avoided.

Add to list: PS Audio BHK Mono 300.

eohtar's avatar
eohtar OP
15 posts
 
Considering that Parasound left the Canadian market at the end of 2013 (I only found out when searching for Canadian dealers just now), I don't think that's a viable option anymore.
Especially combined with the comment from @auxinput above.

Maybe trading up to the 7BSST3 is not a bad idea after all. But at least there are dealers carrying Classe in Toronto. Time to schedule some listening sessions...
eohtar's avatar
eohtar OP
15 posts
 
But yes, Classe would have been taking a risk but less so now that they belong to Sound United.

https://hometheaterreview.com/what-really-happened-with-classe-audio/

It would be nice if production even moved from China to Japan.
elizabeth
6,726 posts
 
I say your current amps ’could’ totally surprise you with a few tweaks. (I use a Bryston 4B-SST² amp witn my Magnepan 20.7)First get a Furutech or Oyaide top of the line duplex the Brystons power cords are plugged into. then get a pair of AQ Hurricane powercords.
If your amps are not set to high gain. flip the switch to high. Using XLR or not. High gain is the ticket. Then the IC to the Brystons. How good are yours? I would suggest something around $900m/pair or better. (I use a $3,200 7meter long pair of Kimber KA1116 XLR to my Bryston.)After you try some of this, you will know you don’t NEED better amps, you already have them.
I was going to upgrade my amp when I bought the Magnepan 20.7s.. My dealer said you don’t need a better amp. And turned me on the the Marantz SA-10 SACD/DAC I bought instead of new amp.
My dealer was right.
Bryston is always given a short stick on sound it does not deserve in the ’squared’ models.Work on a few upgrade to them in the power and be surprised.And if you STILL want new amps. look at PS Audio top of the line monoblocks too.
I also am in an apartment. Have to watch my bass... The Magenpans help with that. The Maggie bass just does not hit the wall the same as a cone speaker.
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