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.
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.
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- 103 posts total
Esoteric integrated amp with DAC & phonostage: http://www.esoteric.jp/products/esoteric/f03a/indexe.html 3in1 solution... vs Accuphase E600... https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/accuphase-e600-or-esoteric-f-03a |
And interesting comparison of this DarTzeel with the Boulder 865 integrated, which at nearly half the price and is barely lesser... https://www.stereophile.com/content/dartzeel-cth-8550-integrated-amplifier-page-2 |
So far I've considered these options seriously: Going back to Pass Labs. Love the refined sound of Pass gear. With my budget I could go for 60.8 monoblocks. Or go for a 30.8 and with a XP-20. Ayre. Mcintosh mc462 or mc452. I was contacted by a member and told that the 462 is noticeably worse sounding. Anybody know anything about that? Since the mc452 is a discontinued model, I could probably acquire one cheaper... but my goal was to buy new. I don't know if I want to get a mc452 on the used market, and I'm not sure if any dealer is going to have one in stock since its discontinued. Luxman 509x or Accuphase e-480. Both seem really awesome. Still no idea which one I'd go for but I'm leaning towards Accuphase just based on the fact it seems to get recommended slightly more often over the Luxman. Accuphase e-650. Yeah this is probably over my budget but I have to consider its an integrated, so I don't need to budget money on a preamp later on. |
Highly consider the PS Audio BHK 250 stereo power amp or a used BHK 300 monoblock amps. These BHK amps are hybrid with tube input stage & SS output stage. Highly recommended! You can also look into some used Mark Levinson amps, some Ayre amps, used and older Krell Evolution series amps, used class AB Classe Delta CAM-600 or CAM-300 monoblock amps (discontinued) or the older class A Classe Omega series amps (discontinued), Parasound Halo JC1 monoblock amps (class A/AB bias) or some used Simaudio Evolution series amps. |
- 103 posts total