2. amps-preamps
  3. 1362469315

Valve amplifier choice


Hi Guys
I am considering making a switch from a Musical Fidelity Kw 500 to a lower powered all valve integrated or possibly a pre - power combination , i am due to move into a new house that has a smallish listening room 20ft x 12Ft , my speakers are Triangle Lyrr current model floor standing rated at 92db. Rega Dac as digital source , really fond of the smooth sound as in the past i have found cd sterile.
Although i enjoy the Kw 500 i was able to Listen to a Icon Audio integrated that really sounded nice , i also have had a crush on Macintosh amplifiers for some time now although not had a chance to audition due to living in Tasmania- Australia , there are very little in the way of local hifi outlets as it is a rural environment , i would like to get some suggestions for Icon Audio or macintosh valve integrated that would suit for a room of the above dimensions , I am a newbie valve amps with the Kw 500 being the closest i have come to with valves in the pre stage.

Thanks everyone.
steam3642
phaelon
1,038 posts
 
I kind of like Macintosh for you. Living in a rural Tasmania, I’m going to suggest that equipment maintenance and reliability with a company that has a solid track record should be a priority in your decision.
steam3642 OP
124 posts
 

Hi Phaelon

Yes the Macintosh is very tempting as the backup seems second
to none and the reputation gives real confidence , at this stage i have a few pieces collected over the years in the hobby , at this time now i want just one nice system , i have moved on from experimenting and have found i have 3 of each component , The problem with living in Tasmania is that all the distributors are located in Melbourne or Sydney , any suggestions on Mac models up to say $7000 Australian. I also have a Wadia 302 cdp in storage but find the Rega Dac wonderful despite its budget price its "outstanding". I use Transparent Audio Reference speaker cable and Kimber Ks 1011 interconnect from dac to amp , i have come to realise a smoother sound i enjoy rather than high detail in your face which i find in most systems i have heard at retailers. I like Dire Straits , Neil Young , Gordon Lightfoot , Eric Clapton , not much into hard rock .
gopher
499 posts
 
Check out Melody's offerings locally if possible. My understanding is they're based in Australia but assembled in China. Great gear at fair prices. I love their stuff.
steam3642 OP
124 posts
 
Thanks for the advise so far , i think i will investigate the McIntosh models and see what they will set me back , i want to get an amp to keep for a long time as i have had enough of chopping and changing , the reason i heard the Icon Audio amp
was that one of only two Hifi retailers in the state had one in store , it was hooked up to a Cambridge Audio cd player and Dynaudio small floor standing speakers , Icon appear to be very nicely made and i believe being a smaller company they can save the consumer a little due to small advertising budgets. Cheers.
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