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Recommended Integrated Amp for Dynaudio Focus 260

I recently heard this system:

Naim CD5XSsending its juice to PrimaLuna integrated amp, and powering the new Dynaudio 260 (4ohms)very slim floorstanders

The mid-bass, mid and highs were gorgeous. Very impressive.
Performed splendidly on audiophile CDs.
BUT....the low-end was appalling. Very weak, can't seem to hear the bass on many non-audiophile CDs. Not dynamic at all, and certainly not foot-tapping.

I suspect its the PrimaLuna valve integrated amp.

What other high-powered, highly dynamic, solid state integrated amplifier is a good match to the Dyn 260s?
I need tone controls, cos I play mostly non-audiophile, "regular" CDs and many are poorly recorded.
The amp should not cost more than the PrimaLuna.

Is the Marantz 8004 a good match?
chuechue
timrhu
2,778 posts
 
Congrats on the NAD! That may have been the fastest thread conclusion in history.
FWIW, I had a NAD C352 and felt it had the same character as you described for the bigger model.
oldcar63
140 posts
 
I second nad but I recommend the master series int class d with built in dac. I listened to a pair of excite 360s drvien by this intergrated amp and I was shocked how well they perform together. Definitely foot tapping drive and very balanced real sound. Check it out if possible and within budget.
mechans
2,999 posts
 
I think your suspicion regarding the Prima Luna was true. I am a tube amp guy through and through but I know their limitations as well. What you give up with tubes is compensated for what they do in other ways. Formost among them a sparkling treble in modern tuube anp, a great and glorious midrange and if you finesse it right reasonable but rartely highly dynamic bass. Big tube amps and very powerful tube amps if fed an SS preamp signal can make great bass. The Prima Luna just doesn't have the muscle to do that. Finally the greatest asset a tube amp gives you is a remarkable #D sound feild of course contingent on the amp chosen and the tubes employed.
ablang
165 posts
 
Congrats on the purchase! Enjoy it!
chuechue OP
8 posts
 
I have tremendous respect for the PrimaLuna Prologue Premium integrated amp, and paired with my Dyn 260, the mids and highs are my dreams come true. Even on the most demanding CDs with Chinese flute that sounds piercing on many high end speakers, there was never any issues with the NaimCD5XS + PrimaLuna+ Dyn 260 combo. After playing with hi-fi for 30 years, I am very happy...except for the bass.

Last night till now, the new NAD 375 has been left running and playing Sheffield Labs Drum Test CD and the wonderful sound has even improved further. A friend brought his Dali Lektor2 bookshelf speakers to my place and it sound fantastic with the NAD.

Overall,I'm surprised and impressed with these new NAD amps. They dont seem to hv any seriously glaring issues in any specific areas, and being able to drive the 4ohm Dyns, that says a lot of their current delivery capabillity.

As Im writing this, my non-audiophile mother is busy digging out her old Diane Schuur CDs (audiophile quality recordings) and the track "New York" sounds absolutely fabulous on my system. im new to this forum and wanna thank everyone again for giving me such a wonderful suggestions. Greetings from Malaysia!
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