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Looking to upgrade amp

Hi everyone,

I hope that this message find you well. I'm currently using an Exposure 2010s2 (75 wpc) integrated amp. It's certainly a very fine amp for the money (the previous version received a Class A from Stereophile). The rest of my system is an Oppo BDP 105 for CD/SACD and the excellent (IMHO) KEF LS50 speakers.

I'm happy with the speakers and CD source, but I'm finding the amp to be a bit too "clinical/analytical" sounding. Also, the rather low sensitivity of the KEFs (85db, 3.2 ohm minimum) suggests that a higher power/higher current amp would be a better match (In fact, I contacted Exposure. and they suggested not using the 2010 with 4 ohm speakers). I have never owned a tube amp, so I might be interested in moving that direction. However, I am concerned about the lower sensitivity of my speakers, so I'm looking for your input on this issue.

For convenience's sake, I prefer to stick with an integrated, but the Exposure does have a pre-out, so I could move to separates (assuming that the Exposure functions well enough as a pre to allow the new amp to show its stuff).

Do any of you have recommendations for amps/integrateds to consider up to about $3,000(USD) that might provide a warmer and/or less forward sound?

Thanks for your time!

Best,
Scott
smrex13
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
4,163 posts
 
How have you determined that your amp sounds clinical? What are the dimensions of your listening room and how loud, in dBs, do you listen?
smrex13 OP
423 posts
 
Thanks for the responses. I've had the amp in two different locations, both relatively small rooms (11x15 ft and 13x15 ft). I listen at moderate to lower listening levels because I'm in an apartment and don't want to annoy the neighbors. I've had the amp paired with two different CD players and a DAC, and I've had some fairly good tower speakers before switching to the KEFs, which are a much better fit for the size of the room. In all cases, I've found the sound to be slightly fatiguing and not as involving as other amps I've tried (Rogue Sphinx and the older Acurus DIA 100). The Exposure is certainly accurate, as I can clearly hear the difference between CD players, cables, etc. But, for lack of a better way of phrasing it, there's just something missing.

Thanks for any other thoughts you might send my way.

Best, Scott
soix
2,133 posts
 
Hegel and Ayre would be worth a look. There's a Pass Labs integrated for sale here a bit over your price range but maybe you can negotiate that down.
truman
142 posts
 
4 ohm, 85 db speakers are the province of solid state amps in my experience. Tube amps just seem to like 8 or more ohms ( their square waves look better into 8 ohms too). Consider a hybrid integrated, with tube preamp and mosfet output (Nelson Pass tended to believe mosfets act more like tubes than bi-polar designs and I tend to believe him but YMMV). How about an integrated Croft "R" or Musical Design* T-75 Elite amp for around $2.5K? More power, try Abbington Research AMR AM777 for $3K used. All combine tube front ends with SS output.
-Let us know what you settle upon as this is a oft-visited theme.
*Musical Design has been flying under (my) radar but recently, a friend reports this innovative - but established- company's products compare closely with both of the above. You can choose different tube types in the pre too! I'd suggest 6SN7's.
raindog031's avatar
raindog031
165 posts
 
Roksan Kandy K2 should be fine...or if you get a good deal on Hegel H200...that should give you more control...and then play with cabling a little bit...i dont know do you listen more complex music but if i was in your place and want to get best from your speaker i would avoid tubes...Truman gaved interesting opinion about hybrid choices also...
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