Amp upgrade ?

I'm running a ML 23.5 now and I'm quite happy BUT I get the loud "pop" when it shuts off. I'm thinking it's cap time and that’s going to make me sad. It weighs as much as I do and Harmon isn’t going to take it easy on me. I am curious what the total will be ... $500, $1000, $1500? As far as heat - I have it in a Salamander rack and have 2-3" clearance all around - it's never got that hot ... I keep a desk fan in the back of the rack just to quietly move air. I would say "warm to quite warm"

I have a Modwright SWL 9.0 Signature pre and it's the best sound I can afford right now. I have tried other amps - even tubes and I just love the ML 23.5. It has a ton of power (no pun). I am running Aerial model 6's so I am not pushing the amp very hard. A larger more demanding speaker set will obviously push the amp harder. The question is what is the breaking point? Room size, volume level, efficiency of the speaker will all play a part. How does this baby behave when it's pushed to it's limit? I'm sure it gets hot - but I cant attest to how it behaves. It can drive the Model 6's to incredible levels with ease and the Paradigm Signature 4's before them. I am considering Aerial Model 9's now ... I imagine this will be a test. I understand it is possible to run the 23.5 mono - maybe I'll pick up two.

Has it crossed my mind to dump it and upgrade? From time to time ... I wanted to try Pass Labs 250.5 but to be honest - I will take the hit and fix it. I think that says a lot. I have been buying and selling for a while but other than speakers - I am locked in now. One possible addition will be a Mac 275 V ... I like the tube sound AND the SS sound. I would like to be able to go back and forth.

I figure if I get difficult speakers to drive - I'll pickup additional amps and run mono. So the ML 23.5 is scaleable – not every amplifier solution has that capability. I think the question is how will it mate up with your speakers? I have heard ML amps with B&W 802, 800's and even the Nautilus. The 800's and ML combo is one of the best sounds I have heard - period. I have heard it with Aerials up to the 20T’s and it was incredible. I have heard them with Maggies but I like the tube sound better.

Hope this helps a little …

I am still breaking in the Modwright SWL 9.0 Signature model (new caps). So far it's incredible, I hooked up the Levinson No. 27 (paid $1400 local) to my Aerial model 6's. I am pulling the 23.5 and have decided to bite the bullet - sending it back to Harmon for caps and anything else it needs.

If there is an amp out there for $700 that equals the No.27 I am all over it. I will check with my local used audio store in Portland (Echo Hi Fi) and see if he has anything from BAT for demo. I thought I saw something up on the shelf the last trip in. I have tried a few Krell amps over the years but not with the Modwright. I may try that for comparison as well. It's nice to have a local guy that lets you demo equipment in your house. I read a post a week or two ago that said there were issues with running a tubed linestage with certain Krell amps (FPB?) and there where jumpered caps that had to be put in-line before you could run a tube linestage. The caps caused a degraded sound. If you didnt run the caps you risked damaging the amp.

Anyone have any info on that?