Upgrade from Forte F40/4A

Semi,

I forgot to mention that you may want to consider an alternative path and contact Jon Soderberg @ Vintage Amp Repair http://www.vintageamprepair.net/ and ask him about his mod/upgrade of both those units. He perfomed some updating to my Threshold Amp (it made a noticeable difference in sound performance). It has been mentioned here and at other forums how he has improved both of the units you own and he has a great reputation.

Good luck,
L

So Forte still holds its own against the newer digital amps, or newer amps in general? I did try the PS Audio HCA-2 with my bigger Sonus Faber and liked the sound, but I know digital amps are very load sensitive and have to be heard with the speaker to accurately judge the sound. But because the system is located oversea, I will have to buy the amps here, bring them over and try, bring them back to sell if I don't like. Now, that's difficult to do especially with amps.

As for modding, that does not solve any of my initial concerns, heat and convenience, so I will most likely keep them stock until I upgrade the system all together.

Any integrated out there that sounds close to the Forte combo?

I still use my Forte 4a that I bought new.
And plan to use it until it passes into audio-heaven.
The grass is greener right here.

As usual in posts the responses are drifting. If the 4A running warm is a big problem for you and you want to aleviate that a) buy a couple of small fans and keep them blowing on it or b) keep the 40 and sell your 4A ($600 give or take) buy a Mc DNA125 (8-900) used or a used CJ MF 2250 or maybe a DR-9 Classe about the same price range. These will still give you a clear accurate sound you have been used to with the Forte with more low end punch. You may give up a little of the "pristiness" of Class A sound but you will gain in dynamics and bass. I still believe without spending big you are going to beat your combo for sound with an integrated setup.

Hoopster, that's a good suggestion. The reason I am looking into integrated is convenience. One machine and one remote, now is two machines with no remote.

I do have a Placette RVC, thought about pairing it up with 4A but that will only allow one input. I am loading up my 30G iPod with Apple Lossless Compression music to use as a music server, but still prefer to have multiple input options in case I want to use tuner or CDP.

I have good experience with McCormack, I had a DNA-2 Deluxe in the past and very happy with it, drove my Sonus Faber Extrema better than Rowland 8Ti HC! Maybe it's time for another McCormack?