Amp and Preamp for JM Lab Alto Utopias

Paul, I don't know the price of the KW 750 used. I mentioned the prices of two items: The ASR Emitter, which is not the exclusive version and came some time before the exclusive as well. I'd guess around 2003 or so. I also mentioned the price of the Utopias. I said these prices were quite reasonable for this country. I mention the KW also because as you noted before, the MF gear matches well with my speakers and if I couldn't find a decent replacement for the Tri-Vista, something like that might be an option. In fact, I don't plan to buy the KW 750. If I am going to replace the Tri-Vista (which is my plan), it will very likely be another brand.

I can't find an Accuphase amp anywhere in any of the shops I've passed by. While Japan might be very close to Korea, that doesn't mean that all high end audio from Japan makes it here readily. Keep in mind also that Japan and Korea do not have the best relations historically. Marantz has a strong presence, but I prefer their digital players over their amps. I appreciate your enthusiasm for Accuphase, but I'll let my own ears be the judge here if it's possible for them to be. I completely agree with you on the build quality of the Tri-Vista. The build comes far short of the sound quality sorry to say.

These Utopia speakers (the ones between the Grande and Mezzo) are in excellent shape from what I could see. I've very much enjoyed the Altos, but I'm going to consider the possibility of a change if I like them as much as the last time I heard them. But they'll also have to accommodate my music as well. It will also depend on whether the seller will give me a good price on the trade and of course be willing to trade.

Actually, the local brands in Korea are April Music, Emille, and Tone Audio. I like all of them quite well, but I think they're overpriced here. The prices are rather like those of the imported gear, but that's because in this country price is always associated with quality even if the prices could be lower. April Music produces good, mid to hi-fi gear at lower power. Emille and Tone produce tube amps. At a recent show and using the B&W 802Ds, I thought the Emilles sounded very nice but a bit polite. The Tone Audio 90 watt tube integrated did quite well on the B&W 800D speakers but not as well as their more pricey separates. The integrated was getting a good workout and held out pretty well considering the heavy demands of the speakers being driven.

Bill, the first generation Utopias might not spec-up with later generations, but I find them to be a more accommodating speaker in general without sacrificing musicality. If I’m not mistaken, I think they’ll actually be an easier load for your amplifier. I own the Mini Utopias and although I would like to upgrade, I’m having a hard time finding something that I like much better in my space.

Thanks for the info, Phaelon. I'm going to give it some consideration, and of course the seller would have to be open to a trade. Not a given by any stretch in this country.

Well, I noticed today that the seller of the Accustic Arts amp had dropped the price by a thousand over the 400 he had already cut. I figured I better make my move, but sadly, I was beaten to it. Sold. I'll have to look into some other options once again. That's life.

Bill, in your post you have mentioned that the MF KW power amp was probably more expensive than the rest (ASR and Utopias which you mentioned were around $10.5k). Of course, when I said that the asking price was a joke I did not meant it as a reproach to you (It was what I would have told a dealer asking that prices). It seems that we are very fortunate here in the Netherlands when it comes to the services offer by the hi-end dealers. That is, when buying 10k components, any dealer will be willing to bring them to your home and install them into your system and will most likely also offer a 10% discount on top of that. I am sorry to hear the situation is much more different in Korea I certainly did not expected that.

I have a pair of Focal Micro Utopia Be speakers complemented with a REL Stentor 3 subwoofer and an Accuphase combo (E-550 amp and the DP-500 cd player). I am familiar with the Altos (I almost bought them twice but in the end I went for the MicroBes as I prefer monitors with a subwoofer since I find that
it is easier to integrate such a combination in ones room). About 2.5-3 years ago, before buying my current Accuphase combo, I have listen the following components driving my MicroBes:

1) Lyngdorf TDAI 2200 digital amp with room correction system. This can make a wonderful combination with the Focals (it also sounded superb with the new Focal Diablo speakers) but only if you have a very good room. It sounded beautifully in the dealer's (treated) room (where only 5-7% corrections were needed) but terrible in my home where around 30% corrections were needed. (Also note that Lyngdorf integrated amp, although a digital design, when much hotter than my Musical Fidelity A5 amp which was always only warm to the touch.)

2) An Ayre integrated and cd player combo (probably the series 7). It sounded very clean, quick and dynamic. But on some passages (e.g. some piano notes, or voice inflections) the treble could be a bit harsh and uncontrolled.

3) A Musical Fidelity A5 combo (integrated and cd player). This was my combo back then. It made a very good combination with the Focals. A very relaxed presentation with just the right amount of details and warms. I could listen to it for hours without any kind of fatigue plus it was suited for any type of music (though a bit on the polite side).

4) Various Accuphase combos (see my system page for details). Obviously, in the end I have preferred this combination the best.

Beside these electronics, over the years I have also heard good results when paring Focal Utopias with class A designs form Pass Labs and Graaf (but these will produce tons of heat), and also with Gryphon and Nagra (which might also produce too much heat) components. Mcintosh amps will also work fine.

Regards,
Paul

Thanks Paul for the rundown. There's a Gryphon amp in my voltage for sale on the Audiogon that I'm considering. I'm also considering Macs for their reliability as well as ease of repair over here. I could buy a pair of Pass 100.5 amps as well. Most of these purchases would have to be online. Prices of new equipment here with the import and shipping charges are exorbitant. Like the Altos, I will have to buy used. Naturally, I prefer colder running amps due to climate, but I can probably work with warmer ones for about ten months out of the year. I think I'm going to pass on the local Emitter due to age and cosmetic issues. This one came out before the 2005 upgrades, and I don't think I'll bother wasting the dealer's time on it. If I buy an Emitter it will be from outside the country on my voltage. Still no luck yet on finding Accuphase gear to test. I might have to abandon that one.

Regarding your other comment: "...when buying 10k components, any dealer will be willing to bring them to your home and install them into your system and will most likely also offer a 10% discount on top of that. I am sorry to hear the situation is much more different in Korea I certainly did not expected that." They're not going to do that for used equipment, and unless you are wearing a suit and a tie when you drop by, they're not going to waste a lot of time trying to earn your money. I've encountered a few decent dealers but I didn't like their equipment with my music--Dynaudio for example, or Dali for another. I'm also, as you may have noticed, not an ethnic Korean, and that factors in as well, though I do speak some of the language. The seller of the Accustic Arts amp was rather surprised last Friday when he saw me pull out a large wad of cash ready to buy the amp that was already gone. Now, he feels bad and is going to try and find something that might appeal to me. I guess the lesson for dealers, used or new, in any country is never underestimate a potential customer. You might just end up losing a very likely sale.

I would suspect that while the MF Tri-Vista 300 has a similar sound to the A5 gear, my amp is significantly better. I was first drawn to the MF gear with a pair of Micro Utopias at a dealer that was using an older MF A308 amp and a Tri-Vista DAC. To me at the time, that sound was quite magical, and I was sold on the Micros and ended up trying to buy them as well. Sometimes I regret not getting those instead of the Altos--reasons of moving for example but also the reasons you listed and the possibility of other options for amplification. I would have gotten them new over here, but the dealer was stubborn that we pay in cash rather than card in order to get his special price. I heard the Diablos at a recent show with Bryston amplification and I was very, very impressed. I have plans to eventually build a small, second system for my wife that may include used Micros with a Jadis integrated for our downstairs space. Or I may get Usher monitors instead.