Amp recommendation in the $6000 range

If you are still using the Audio Valve Eklipse preamp listed in your system description, I would certainly expect the Pass .8 series to be preferable to the .5 series, as the input impedances of the .5 amps are too low to be optimal matches to the output impedance characteristics of that preamp.

See the second paragraph on this page, in which John Atkinson's measurements indicate that deep bass performance will be compromised if that preamp is asked to drive an input impedance of less than 30K.  The Pass .5 amps have specified input impedances of 30K balanced/15K unbalanced, but since per JA's comments your preamp outputs an unbalanced signal on its XLR connector I believe it would be seeing a 15K load even if you connected via a balanced XLR cable.

The Pass .8 series amps have specified input impedances of 50K unbalanced/100K balanced, which would be fine.

Also, the MC402 which was suggested earlier has an input impedance of 10K unbalanced/20K balanced, which is too low to be suitable.

Finally, although Audio Research hasn't been mentioned, be aware that many of their balanced amps which provide only XLR inputs will not work properly unless provided with a balanced pair of signals on their XLR connectors, which the Audio Valve preamp will not provide.  The same caveat MIGHT apply to some other balanced amps which only provide XLR inputs.

Good luck as you proceed.  Regards,
-- Al
   

Hi Matt,

There has been no indication in the thread that the OP has purchased or will be purchasing a replacement for the Audio Valve preamp that is listed in his system description. Therefore, while the question that was posed relates to selection of a power amp that would be a good match for the OP’s Magico speakers, it seems appropriate to point out that some amps which may be good matches for those speakers will not be good matches for that preamp.

Regards,
--Al

scar972, it looks like the D’Agostino Classic does not provide RCA input connectors, and as I mentioned earlier your Eklipse provides unbalanced signals on its XLR connectors.  Which creates a bit of concern as to whether the Classic will work properly when provided with unbalanced signals, similar to the issue I cited that definitely exists with many Audio Research balanced amps which don’t provide RCA input connectors.

I suspect that you’ll probably be ok in that respect, but if you already haven’t I’d suggest that you raise that question with D’Agostino or some other source knowledgeable about the specific design.  In the event that it does turn out to be a problem, a suitably chosen Jensen Transformer (ca. $300), or at a higher price point ($1895) an SMc Audio Flex-Connect, would most likely be good ways of converting the unbalanced signals from the preamp to balanced.

Good luck.  Regards,
-- Al