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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
elizabeth
6,726 posts
 
If you are considering the Bryston Cubed, be aware they now idle with HALF the wasted energy of the Squared model. Due to various more recent rules (not sure if EU or Canada) anyway Bryston lowered the energy footprint at idle from to Squared to Cubed by half. (I think mainly lowering ClassA total. But they managed to make them sound better anyway. (And they have a good argument as to why big ’class A creates it’s own problems for sound.)I don’t think you would like the Pass amps. Pass are usually very biased Class A and that always means big heat and big energy bill.
As for annoying tweeters.. The trouble with treble is NEVER the actual speaker. It is always the electronics, for annoying treble. (Peole cinstantly blame the speakers, and use various means to dull the treble to cut the garbage. The hash and grit in the sound is the thing that drives one crazy. With perfect CLEAN treble, the annoyance vanishes, with the exact same tweeter output as before. I can tell you the Marantz SA-10 I bought totally ends treble hash in the output. I am a big treble freak too. And it is the most important part of the sound to me.                                     
The SA-10 totally solves the digititus.
auxinput
1,538 posts
 

It’s not that the JBL 1400 is a "horn loaded speaker" that is causing you to think you may need something warmer to tame it. It is because the 1400 has a titanium dome tweeter as well as an aluminum dome midrange driver. The breakup of metal dome drivers will cause a bright edge to the sound and this can make you think you need something warmer. It’s entirely possible, but also keep in mind that the 7Bsst2 amps are very dry and forward - these can definitely sound somewhat harsh with metal dome tweeters. It could give you a very hard edge type of sound.

Another thing to watch out for is amps/preamps that are very warm will, essentially, smear the high frequencies somewhat. This can also come across as harsh sounding, especially on metal dome tweeters. The Marantz 8802 is definitely very warm and will lose resolution or cause smear in the high frequencies. So, you already have two counts towards a harsher sound.

I would say to get the smoothest amplifier you think you can get. If that turns out to be a Parasound JC1, then fine. It could also be the Bryston 7b3 will be very smooth with its revised Class A input stage (the amp is still Class AB).

Another amp to consider at this point is the Krell Solo 375 or 575 monoblocks (575 is a lot more expensive - but I doubt that you will need more than 375 watts). The new Krell Solo and Duo amps using a sliding Class A bias that will give you the sound of bipolar Class A without the heat. The result is a very smooth sound. It has an ethereal and creamy quality to the midrange and will likely give you more resolution than the JC1s (the JC1s are based on a FET input stage which is not as clean or high resolution). Krell uses all bipolar audio stages. This new series is probably very much like the old Krell FPB series without the massive Class A heat. I think this will be a lot more forgiving on the JBL titanium dome tweeters and will not have the hard edge that many other amps will do.

The sonic signature of Class A differs based on design. The Krell bipolar circuit "Class A" sound is very smooth and creamy and ethereal, with clean clear high frequencies. The Parasound / Pass Labs "Class A" type sound is more warm / thick with textured thick mids and could have softer rolled off high frequencies. It is entirely a matter of taste and desired result here.

Finally, I would be careful of interconnect / speaker wire / power cord selection. With titanium dome tweeters, I would remove any silver or silver-plated elements in your system. Silver will push the upper mids/highs and make those titanium tweeters extra bright. It can also cause the midrange to be pushed into the artificial signature.

auxinput
1,538 posts
 
Sorry, correction.  The Krell Solo appears to be a full Class A amp, but with cooling fans.  Up to you, but it is definitely a very clean and smooth sound.
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
4,382 posts
 
Just in case you think the link I provided was for an integrated, it was not. It's for mono blocks made by the same company. 

All the best,
Nonoise
eohtar's avatar
eohtar OP
15 posts
 
@caphill 
I am trying to keep an eye on synergy as much as possible but sometimes that's easier said than done.
Especially with the decline of local stores that carry enough inventory to demo all the options.
I'd be happy enough to be able to demo the amps with similar speakers and front end.
On the other hand, considering the price tag, in home demos should be an option for sure.

@elizabeth 
It was most likely the EU that implemented those energy rules - but then I am from Europe originally as well. And nothing wrong with looking out for the environment.
I didn't realize that Bryston dropped the idle power consumption on the cubed. Checking the manual for the two version it's 215 vs 80 watts idle and 733 vs 270 BTU/hour also at idle.
That's some impressive numbers - thanks for the heads up.

Since some of you jumped on my comment about the speakers, let me clarify what I meant.
My thought was that going with a slightly warmer amp might give me a bit of a buffer IN CASE things get a little harsh with the Esoteric C-03X pre-amp in the chain instead of the Marantz.
Right now, with the K-01X SACD player going into the Marantz and then the 7BSST2, the sound is definitely NOT too harsh or annoying. If anything, the K-01X sounds smoother (compared to the X-03SE) while also bringing out more detail.
I think I also have a pretty high 'tolerance' and appreciation for treble - as Elizabeth called it: 'treble freak' :)

@auxinput
Krell is one of those brands that I initially thought of (since my go to dealer carries them as well) but for some reason didn't include in the list. Maybe because I haven't seen much about their latest models.
The specs for the Solo 375 look rather good though. On the other hand, based on the reviews I could find it's not exactly a king of treble - ".. if what makes you happy is a lot of treble detail (apparent or actual), the Solo 375 probably isn't your amp."

@nonoise 
I checked the link and got that it was for their mono blocks - strangely enough though, the manufacturers website didn't seem to list them (yet?).
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