After 20 years, in the market for a power amp
Hello:
Longtime lurker/reader of this forum. Recently my long time and beloved Odyssey Khartago shed its left channel and I had been long past ready to move on from it anyway. I am a typically slow upgrader as I am much more a listener than a tweaker. It is therefore time to invest in a new power amp. My system specs:
GoldenEar Triton Ones
Rega P8 TT w/Apheta 3
Aria phono amp
Primaluna Dialogue Premium p/a
Rotel 1570 CD spinning into a Schiit Yggdrasil
Odyssey Khartago Power amp
AntiCable interconnects
AudioQuest speaker cable
The Khartago, while wholly competent, has long since since been bypassed by the rest of my gear. Looking for something with some synergy with the Primaluna.
Budget $5-7k. Been researching feverishly but it is difficult to get an audition. Suggestions?
@pvnasby Here is a good deal on the new Primaluna evo hybrid from a dealer-used for just one show- for $4600 US. https://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/650162309-primaluna-evo-300-hybrid-integrated-amplifier/ Or a demo evo 400 for just over $3800 US. https://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/650158577-prima-luna-evo-400-power-amplifier-silver/ Or a pair of evo 400's from a US dealer for 7k- just posted yesterday! https://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/650166552-primaluna-evo-400-pair/
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I auditioned my Triton 1.r's with a Prima Luna 400 integrated, it ran out of steam during the audition and got frazzled. I am 70, the Coda s5.5 weighs 45 pounds-another reason I bought it. I can't lug heavy amps around anymore, it replaced a 140 lb beast I couldn't pick up anymore. Good luck with your search. |
I recommend you seriously consider an Audio Research REF 75 SE. They are around $5k used and will likely bring that for years to come if you ever decided you wanted to move on. It is super easy to maintain with the bias pots accessible from the front panel and only take 6 tubes in total. I bought a pair of used Wilson Alexia 1 about a year ago and took my REF 75SE with me to compare to the guy's McIntosh MC 462. We are comparing 450wpc SS to 75wpc tube. The output without touching the volume on his preamp was basically identical. The REF 75SE was much more musical and natural sounding...we both preferred it in his system. It truly is a special amp and I do not think you would be disappointed. |
