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New Amp for Dynaudio Contour S 1.4 Speakers

I currently have an Ayre AX-7e driving a pair of Contour S 1.4's. Musical tastes are mostly acoustic (Punch Bros, Waybacks, Union Station, Ry Cooder) but I also listen to rock (Clapton, Knopfler, John Hiatt). All sources are digital (CD/SACD or HI-REZ 24/96) no analog. I will be temporarly using my Benchmark DAC 1 USB as my preamp and want to buy a power amp. At some point down the road I also plan to replace the Contours with Dyn C1's.

The amps I'm looking at and at some point in the last few months of research have convinced myself that I should buy are the Bryston 3BSST2, Ayre V-5xe, Channel Islands D200MKII, and the Modwright KWA 100 SE. I am also intrigued by Rogue's new hybrid tube/class D Hydra.

I would like a little more bass extension and grip than my AX-7e has, but most important to me is transparancy and reproducing the natural timbre of acoustic instruments. It would help if it also rocked when asked. I am 350 miles from the nearest audio dealer and it would take a week (that I don't have) to travel around and listen to these amps. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
allenjohns
extravaganza
268 posts
 
I would like a little more bass extension and grip than my AX-7e has, but most important to me is transparancy and reproducing the natural timbre of acoustic instruments. It would help if it also rocked when asked.

well I have these speakers paired with Krell Kav500i (balanced inteconnects van damme adds clarity to voices and instruments) and sometimes switch to Technics se-a3000 su-c3000 combo.Both amps provide bass i wish.Technics add to music very expresive midrange and more clarity,but krell has wider soundstage.
I think Musical Fidelity kw series will do everything you wish.As for speakers they very good compared to c1,c1 more power demanding,has more bass weight,better imaging,smoother and more organic sound
allenjohns OP
22 posts
 
Thanks for you thoughts Extravaganza. I'm looking for a power amp, not an integrated, and currently I'm leaning toward the Modwright KWA 100 SE.
mapman's avatar
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mapman
15,679 posts
 
BEl Canto Ref1000m monoblocks are top notch with my Dynaudio monitors and would not hesitate to recommend them for Dynaudios in general.
allenjohns OP
22 posts
 
Mapman, I have condidered the Bel Canto Ref500m in my quest, but I read that the Channel Islands class D's are superior to the Bel Canto and Nuforce amps.
nvp
317 posts
 
Allen, Extravaganza made a very good suggestion. Musical Fidelity amps/integrated from the A5 and KW series pair very very well with the Contour S 1.4 speakers.

Another idea is to keep your amp, as it is a very good one, and get a pair of Wilson Duette (or Sophia 1,3, etc if space allows). While this is probably a more expensive alternative, Wilson speakers and Ayre electronics is another very very good match.
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