Amp for Persona B Speakers


Looking for solid state amp recommendations for pairing with Persona B speakers. I prefer a neutral sound, or only slightly towards warmth. Price range up to about $8000. AR LS17SE pre also in the mix and this is a relatively neutral piece. Something not too scarce. New preferred. Music is a mix but leans toward rock, some jazz and vocals.

jaybe

@jaybe ,

 

im surprised the 30.5 is not damn near the perfect amp for those speakers. You might be disappointed as that amp is killer especially to tone down a wily speaker. 

I have a Coda CSiB with Persons 5F’s   Once dialed in with proper cabling it’s pretty damn good!!

I second @soix on the SMc upgraded amps. I recently received my DNA 0.5, which was already a GT20 version, from SMc with a whole new round of mods which take it to GT 24 Ultra. Absolutely stunning. I had some cosmetic mods done to make it look the part too. These amps are a genuine bargain for the sound you get.

I’d highly recommend this upgraded SMcAudio amp as it will very likely do everything you’re looking for in spades.  You’ll save a bundle, and if you like what you hear you can send it back to them to get their latest mods for even better sound and still be well below your budget.  Given what you’re looking for I’d be all over this.  I own a fully-modded DNA 0.5 BTW. 

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650135552-mccormack-smc-audio-ultra-15-dna-1-power-amplifier-upgraded/

@soix Yes. Beautiful mids, but not the best highs and a bit of a rounded bass. A bit dark sounding. Looking for something to improve those areas.

I'm using the Luminous Audio Technology Archimedes Monos with my Paradigm Persona 3F's.  Fantastic combination.  I believe they're running at $9,000/pr.  May be worth looking into for the B's.

The Archimedes replaced my Parasound A21+, which sounded quite good, but really everything improved with the Archimedes quite a bit.  (was able to home demo prior to purchase.)

https://trackingangle.com/equipment/luminous-audio-technolgy-archimedes-power-amplifiers

I have heard the Persona lineup with both the SimAudio 860 v1 and last week with the SimAudio 761 from the North Collection. The 761 was really great and one that I would like to get in the future for my slightly warm speaker.

However, I still felt the neutral 761 was still not ideal for the slightly bright Persona. I would have preferred some warmth to it. The amps that I have owned that would work magic with the Persona are:

  • Krell Duo XD (the 300i integrated or the 175XD amp)
  • CODA CSiB integrated | CODA #8 amp | CODA #16 amp
  • Parasound A21+ amp (lowest cost)

The KRELL 175XD and the CODA #16 are the 2 best amps I have had for the Persona. The KRELL is warmer and smoother. Though I have sold all the amps on this list except the CODA #16 (do not plan to sell this one).

I owned the 7f for awhile, but listened to them at a dealer for over a year while he used every‘affordable’ amp/int under the sun and while a few came pretty close, I didn't buy them until I heard them with the Pathos Logos mk2. 
 

The Persona B is a jem.