2. speakers
  3. 1444460700

Amplification for Shahinian Obelisks?

Hello there!

I just had my newly-bought second-hand Obelisks overhauled at Shahinian, and now they are on my way to me.

At this stage I am thinking of amplification for them.

I listen mostly to acoustical musiс (Norah Jones, Madeleine Peyroux, and the like), jazz of all sorts, mostly modern ECM-style, also some older Blue Note, and pop music (a lot less). Almost no rock, although it is gaining on me (in the car, though).

I have had several Macs (integrteds and separates), loved their sound, but I want to move forward: Macs' sound is a bit too relaxed for me (although I don't like the sound to be overly crisp). The most important thing for me is musicality and space: I like to listen to music, not sounds.

I want as few boxes as possible, so I want a DAC with an amp in one box. It will be fed through coax or optical from an upgraded 24/96 Sonos.

The contestants at this stage are

1. Electrocompaniet ECI 6 DS
2. Hegel H300
3. Plinius Inspire 980
4. Devialet 120

I am currently leaning towards the Electrocompaniet or Hegel.
Would appreciate your comments on these. Or, maybe, I am missing something here, and there are more choices?

I dont have an opportunity to audition them in my home town, unfortunately, so it will be more or less a blind buy.

Comments from Shahinian owners are more than welcome.

Thanks a lot for your comments!
ja_zz
johnnyb53
3,490 posts
 
That's true, Mapman. The best traits of good Class D are a lot like high-current, low output impedance A/B amps--speed, fast and copious current delivery, stability into fluctuating loads, and high damping factor.

I have had a pair of Mirage M5si's in daily use for 19 years. They and their larger brothers (M3si and M1si) thrive on amps of these sorts, and one HFC-er particularly mentioned that his M1si's really sang with some Class D amps.

Rowland is another major Class D maker. For a more economical approach, some Red Dragon monoblocks or the S500 Stereo amp might be an easy way to bring life to these Shahinians if Red Dragon ships to Russia.
mdemaio's avatar
mdemaio
55 posts
 
I agree with Mapman...I am experiencing wonderful synergy with my Class D Audio 470C (300 W/ 8 ohms) and my Ohm 2/2000s, which are current-hungry beasts as well. The question is can you find an all-in-one integrated with DAC that has the power to drive the Obelisks (not sure 60W does it) that is not only class D, but also available in Russia....I used a W4S mINT (at 125 W) and it wasn't quite up for the task, IMO. YMMV, however.
mapman's avatar
mapman
15,679 posts
 
60 w/ch Bel Canto C5i does exceptionally well up to decent volume levels with my OHMs and would satisfy many. 500w/ch ref1000ms knock the ball out of the park without ever breaking a sweat at any volume.
ja_zz OP
124 posts
 
Well,

I have finally opted for a second-hand Hegel H300.

http://www.hegel.com/products/integrated/h300

Will keep you posted on how happy I am with this combo.

Thanks for your input.

PS On a sidenote some people on another audio forum have recommended a Krell Digital Vanguard. What do you say on that one?
johnnyb53
3,490 posts
 
10-14-15: Ja_zz
Well,

I have finally opted for a second-hand Hegel H300.
*That*'s what we're talking about--high power (250/430 wpc into 8/4 ohms), high current (comfortable driving low impedances), wide bandwidth (which means fast risetime to move those dynamic drivers, and *very* high damping factor (>1000), important to keep the woofers plus that weighted passive radiator tightly controlled.

I think you'll like that combo.
More to discover