My apologies_Upgrade path from Wilson WattPuppy 7's?

My thanks for all the great responses and conversations. Although I am a scientist, I decided to change more than one variable at this time, but not yet the WattPuppy 7 speakers.

I have been talking to Rob at the Music Room in Boulder, and will be auditioning the newer PS Audio DirectStream DAC and transport with Bridge II (heavily discounted), and will be swapping out the McIntosh 275 VI amplifier for a Hegel H30 Reference power amplifier (used in stereo mode, not as monoblocks). 

I thought I would give the speakers once last chance with a more powerful amplifier. Let me know what you think of this configuration.

Once again, thank-you for all of the very helpful input - Gerry 

Tested H30.
" Not only is 350Wpc a hefty output power, the H30 meets the challenge of driving current-hungry loudspeakers by nearly doubling its 8-ohm-rated output power when driving 4 ohms (675Wpc into 4 ohms)."

Good choice, now you will hear the WP7’s for what they can do. Hope you get the H30 before changing anything else.
Pity it doesn't use Bi-Polar outputs instead of Mosfets, then they would have given some great 2ohm figures in the test done on it as well, and not just down to 4ohm.


Cheers George

George, not that it matters all that much, but it appears the statement you quoted about the amp providing 675 WPC into 4 ohms in stereo mode (which is from a TAS review) is probably taken from marketing literature, and conflicts with the independent measurements shown at this link:

Power output (stereo mode)

• Power output at 1% THD+N: 333.3W @ 8 ohms, 499.4W @ 4 ohms
• Power output at 10% THD+N: 365.2W @ 8 ohms, 576.0W @ 4 ohm

Also, as I read its description, it does in fact use bipolar output transistors, while using JFETs and MOSFETs elsewhere in its signal path.

That said, from a technical standpoint my only reservation about this amp would be its low input impedance (spec’d at 10K/20K unbalanced/balanced, measured at 8.6K/26.6K in stereo mode, and 5.3K/15.7K in mono mode). Many tube-based components and at least a few solid state components will have problems driving those impedances, which may constrain future changes in upstream components even if it isn’t an issue now.

Gerry, best of luck with your new components.

Regards,
-- Al

my only reservation about this amp would be its low input impedance
(spec’d at 10K/20K unbalanced/balanced

• Power:
• 333.3W @ 8 ohms,
• 499.4W @ 4 ohms

As Al posted, this H30 input impedance will make for a hard impedance match with tube, TVC or passive preamps. Solid state preamps should be fine.

Also the independent wattage figures (which relate to current ability), that Al found, are not so good either, as an indication of great current ability so tread carefully.

BTW: I’m sure Al or I could come up with some amp (with good current ability) recommendations, and a higher more usable input impedance, if you want that from us?  

Cheers George

Give the Focal Sopra 2 a try - hard to beat for the price.
However, with the run of used SF on AG you'll find a nice pair of Olympica 3's that will sound just sumptuous with your MAC gear.