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What amps should I audition?

I’m thinking ahead (crazy I know)

I want to purchase a high end amplifier next year, maybe an integrated or just a power amp.

I would be looking to spend around 15k max on an integrated, and 8-10k on a power amp separate (funds to acquire a preamp will be got at a later date next year)

What brands and what model from each brand should I try to get a home audition for? 

I should note I would probably be buying new as I can’t imagine I will be able to get a home audition with used gear. I’m open to buying used, but I’d have to get an audition in a system like mine, or actually in my system... I don’t really want to buy anything without auditioning first. On a related note, what is the easiest or best way to get a dealer relationship started, one where he would let me home audition? I’m even willing to pay 100% deposit if it means I can return it no questions ask after the audition period, but the dealers I’ve asked to do this with so far have refused. I always see people on this forum saying they manage to do that. I’m a bit at a loss how they manage to pull that off.

Anyway some more ideas: Bryston amps and Nagra Classic pre? This was the only setup I’ve heard on my speakers and it was quite magical. I really like the Nagra, and the Bryston combo. Used, it could be got within my budget. New.. not so much. I could swap out the Brystons with the matching Nagra amp, maybe. Or even just go for the Nagra Classic Integrated. All within my budget (if used) and with my speakers 96db sensitivity I should be good to go with the Nagra 100wpc rating.

other ideas: mcintosh mc462 or mc275 mk vi. 
Pass Labs XA30.8 or XA60.8 or XA100.8
Acxuphase e-470
Luxman 509X 

Actually that’s all I’ve really come up with so far. I am open to hearing any thoughts, concerns or ideas you may have. I do believe all the above mentioned amps will better my Kinki EX-M1. 

Cabling will be upgraded to Audience before any of this by the way. 
d2girls
almarg's avatar
almarg
8,673 posts
 
Regarding the long-term reliability of Pass class A amplifiers, the following statement appears in the manual for the XA200.5 and for various other high powered Pass amplifiers operating in class A:

So how long will this hardware last? It is our experience that, barring abuse or the odd failure of a component, the first things to go will be the power supply capacitors, and from experience, they will last 15 to 30 years.  Fortunately they die gracefully and are easily replaced by a good technician.


After that, the longevity will depend upon the number of operating thermal cycles, but we can say that we have had amplifiers operating in the field in excess of 20 years with no particular mortality, and we don’t have good information beyond that.


More to the point, you should not worry about it. This is a conservatively built industrial design, not a frail tube circuit run on the brink of catastrophic failure. If it breaks, we will simply get it fixed, so sleep well.

Given Nelson Pass' sterling reputation, I see no reason to doubt that statement.

Regards,
-- Al
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
7,068 posts
 
I can say in day to day use any electronics that run hot get annoying for that reason soon enough. A hot Summer day, Air conditioning going full blast and you want to listen to some music. but DON'T because the amps or whatever are blazing hot to run??? Then the folks who own a second amp for Summer use? Because the favorite is a furnace? Reason enough to avoid Class A amplifiers and big tube amps.
@elizabeth
There is no need for air conditioning to control the heat of the room when hot amplifiers are in use! A simple means of dealing with that is to install a vent and fan system, using flexible ductwork and  a low speed fan that runs silent. The vents are installed above the space where the amplifiers reside. The heat goes up and out the vents. Cheap, efficient and effective.

I have a customer in Guatemala that does this with our MA-3 power amps (triode class A 500 watts) and without any air conditioning at all and his listening room stays comfortable 24/7. He hid the vents in the ceiling along with his lighting by using a teak lattice (teak is cheap in central America) which looks quite nice. The vent setup cost him about $200.00 and can't be heard.
stevecham
3,298 posts
 
How about PS Audio Stellar Gain Cell DAC/Preamplifier and M700 monoblocks for under $5000, plus you can return them in 30 days for full refund? They also make a stereo version amp if you don’t need as much power. I just bought a SGC preamp, installed it Saturday and it sounds incredible, so much so that I want to try their monoblocks too. I have resisted the temptation to accept, let alone try, Class D amps in my system but I think they may have gotten it right on these amps.

Stay tuned...but, what can you lose except a little time having fun?

Oh, and I forgot to mention, built in Boulder, CO.
tomcarr
530 posts
 
@elizabeth - bravo, congrats, hurrah! 
Finally, some common sense approach to this mostly illogical hobby of ours!
"The grass is NOT greener in unknown products"
"Buy what you heard and like"
"Spending megabucks and being disappointed AGAIN...THAT is the audiophile mantra"
"They are never satisfied..."

However, I do like Mac gear. Otherwise, I agree with you completely and applaud your honest and refreshingly candid post.

Tom
thieliste's avatar
thieliste
322 posts
 
With Nagra Classic preamp best choice is Luxman M-900u, much better than Pass IMO.
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