2. amps-preamps
  3. 1262883213

First Post, Looking to buy Amp& Pre, $7,000

The first thing I'd like to say is "Thank You" to all the people on this forum for their knowledge! I've learned so much from my daily trip to this wonderful site.
The reason that I,like many others I suppose, have not posted before is that I think there are so many people here that have so much more to offer in knowledge and experience than I do. Well..... on to my questions.
My system consists of PSB Synchrony One speakers, A VPI Classic tt with a Dynavector 20XH cart. A Simaudio LP3 phono. Cambridge Azur 840 CD player.
My current amp is a Denon AVR 4806,that also doubles for Home theatre.
My current system sounds very good, But.... I'm wondering how much better could it get? Will new amplification be a huge improvement over what I've got?
I would prefer to buy used because I think I could get more performance for my money.
I listen to Rock,Classic Rock,Blues, and Jazz.
I would prefer a sound that is neutral,but a shade on the warm side. I suffer from tinutus in my right ear.and any high notes that are too dry, or too bright, irritate my ear!
I also need a pre with HT bypass,as I have everything in the same room
Thanks,
Mark

mdp
tvad
9,467 posts
 
Regarding the Moscode 402Au, I owned a Moscode 401HR, which was a tremendous amp in my system used with Von Schweikert VR4 Gen III HSE loudspeakers (89dB, 6 ohm). The 402Au is supposedly more refined (aren't the latest models always so), but I can say the 401HR was no slouch (it replaced a $10,000 VAC Phi 110/110), and in my view you'd be smart to consider a used one.

Moscode offers a 33 1/3 day home trial for their amps. It's absolutely the best way to determine if it'd be a good match with your speakers.
mdp's avatar
mdp OP
34 posts
 
The reviews of Moscode were great, But in John Atkinson's mesurements he didn't think it would be a good match with speakers rated at 4 Ohms,as mine are.
Also, in his measurements of the Synchrony One, said that the speakers would dip as low as the mid 2 ohm range at two frequency levels So I'm re-thinking,and trying to remember my goals, to match the amp's sound to my speakers AND have the treble where it will be pleasant to my ears. Oh yeah, lots of powers too.
I'm leaning to a McIntosh, maybe a MC 402.
What do you guys think???
tvad
9,467 posts
 
Mdp, I read Atkinson's review, too. The 401HR worked extremely well with my speakers that dipped to 3 ohms in the bass, but I understand your hesitation.

If the 402Au measures better and it's within your budget, then it'd be worth auditioning through Moscode's Home Trial policy.

I've never owned a McIntosh amp, so I can't offer any insight there.
tdelahanty
12 posts
 
The levinson 383 is a good choice for integration into a home theater system. It can be fully automated with the creston system, has the bypass and by and large it has the best operating system I've used. However it's downfall is power, it just won't play extremely loud. That's why I bought the 7000 but it's for two channel only.
stevecham
3,298 posts
 
CJ CA200 will save you mega bux (3-4K) and sounds like tubes.
More to discover