I have an FT Audio LW-1 Passive with NEAR speaker's which have Metal Drivers.I have a choice of amps ,but cannot audition any of them. My choices are: Electrocompaniet AW-100 Classe DR-8 Monarchy 100DELUXE's
I was wondering which you would buy.The Monarchy's are the newest of the 3 .The Classe and Electro have been checked out. NEAR's can handle as much power as you can give them up to 300watts.
How old is the Electro? Some of the earlier AW 100's (10+ years had problems as the boards were hand soldered). It is a wonderful sounding amp. An older AW 60 would sound even better. But for the 1K you want to spend, I would go after a DNA.5 and upgrade it as you get more money.
Abex, Mondial Designs started building Aragon amps in 1986. Klipsch acquired Mondial Designs and the Acurus and Aragon brands in 2001. If there is any Aragon history before 1986 I am not aware of it.
The DR8 is a nice amp. Dave Reich (sp) (DR) is the current designer of the Theta amps. I would estimate it would give you a warmer sound. Will the dealer give you any sort of warranty? How old is the Electro? IS it one that Jason Scott (or whoever the current importer is) imports? Earlier Electros were know for good sound but problematic reliability - I have no knowledge of current production. My point is that if the Electro is early production and you have a problem it maybe difficult for your dealer to support you. If I offend anyone with these opinions I do not mean slander and apologize in advance!
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