Amp recommendations: Wanted, Bass and Dynamics

your passive preamp situation is part of the problem. try an active preamp first.

The reason you are lacking dynamics and punch is probably your preamplifiers fault. Passive preamps (especially ones that are not state-of-the-art) many times limit dynamics and resolution and bass and trebble response (one can also run into impedance matching issues with passive). I have owned many passives, and I strongly feel that in most instances, passive preamps are not the way to go.

What amp do you have now?

I would consider upgrading your preamp before your amp (unless you have already sold your amp....).

The amps you list above run the gamut of what amps sound like. If you are looking for punch, I do not think the Monarchy amps fit the bill. I have had them. I like them a lot. But lower end control is not one of their strong suits. I have never had the Marsh, MF A3CR, or Rega. But of those I would look at the Musical Fidelity amp. MF makes very good reasonably priced gear.

Either Bel Canto, PS Audio, or Krell will probably get you more punch than the amps above. I am not sure how the old Krell amp would hold up to the much newer Bel Canto and PS Audio amps. One thing about the Bel Canto is that it is POWERFUL especially when used as a monoblock. The PS Audio has gotten a lot of good press, but I have not heard it. Although the PS Audio and Bel Canto are both switched amps (Class T digital amps), I have heard that they sound remarkably different. You might want to read the Stereophile review of the PS Audio amp to get some idea of how it sounds.

One comment about Krell.... That KSA 150 amps gets really hot. I think one could use it for a grill with the right setup. Remember that heat really determines the life of an amp (or just about anything to one degree or another). The hotter an amp gets, the less lifespan it has. The 150 was new about 10+ years ago if I remember correctly. Getting an amp like this that runs really hot that is 10 years old, you may have problems with it in the near future. The Bel Canto and the PS Audio HCA amp (I am pretty sure) in contrast run cold.

KF

With a passive preamp you should be looking for an amp
with an input sensitivity under 1 volt. Like Tok2000, I use
a Gamut D200, and a passive preamp with the D200 set at it's .775 volt input sensitivity, with 5 meters of interconnect cable between the preamp & amp. Having just tried a active preamp for comparisons, there's no lack of dynamics, resolution, bass or treble response. If you can
up your budget, suggest you consider a Gamut amp, there are a few currently listed on Audiogon.

Check out a McCormack DNA

The MF A3CR is a great amp, but not a bass monster. I own one, and regardless of how much I love it would suggest something else if you want serious punch. As for the Monarchy amps, they sound lovely, but transformer hum can be very noticeable in these units, regardless of what C.C. claims. I've gone this route as well, and hated to part with them (they really did sound great), but they were just plain noisy.

I know that passive pre's have a reputation for lack of extremes, but without getting too deep into the philosophies of why on earth we should accept that an active "gain" stage is needed to primarily Reduce the signal, I would like to expect that the source components, amp and speakers should all work together as the cables and preamp become utterly invisible.

The Spendors and Music Hall pieces are smooth and musical. Now I need an amp with enough speed and punch to make them come alive.

I'm coming off of a multi-channel McIntosh to concentrate on my new 2-channel system.

Thanks for the help thus far!

Once I finish evaluating the Bel Canto evo200.2 I will be posting my thoughts (a review) of it in a shootout with the PS Audio HCA-2, Musical Fidelity A3cr and the Odyssey Stratos. I heard the Krell at a dealer, but don't feel qualified to involve it in the shootout. I could include a McCormack DNA1 and Classe Audio CA-201 monoblocks as it relates to the other amps above but as well, and aside from making the shootout longer then it is already, I would not doubt be stoned to death for my brutally honest impressions.... :)

If you can wait a week I might be able to help out! Feel free to drop me an email anytime.

I agree with Tok20000; 1) Do not expect low freq control with the Monarchy se100 monos and 2) That the Krell runs too hot.

I disagree with Winoguy17 about the McCormack DNA. I find the sound too similar to the sound of the Marsh 400s. (I just don't like it). You'd be better off with the Musical Fidelity A3CR.

I have owned Bel Canto EVO 200.2's and now have two PS Audio HCA-2's. I needed both Bel Canto's and I find I only need one HCA-2. The most low freq control and non-colouration of sound comes, hands-down, with the PS Audio HCA-2.

I have never heard the Rega exons.

what about odyssey -i have new mono blocks with extreme upgrade -klaus is coming out with a passive pre for them so they might work for you.
run cool,very good & tight bass and jump with life.
you can give klaus a call and ask if they will work with your pre-hey its only a buck-lol

One other suggestion - MIT speaker cables can sometimes limit dynamics and punch, not just the upper frequencies.

Crown Studio Reference I or II (formerly Macro Reference)

Anything from Pass Labs.