Amplification for Shahinian Obelisks?


Hello there!

I just had my newly-bought second-hand Obelisks overhauled at Shahinian, and now they are on my way to me.

At this stage I am thinking of amplification for them.

I listen mostly to acoustical musiс (Norah Jones, Madeleine Peyroux, and the like), jazz of all sorts, mostly modern ECM-style, also some older Blue Note, and pop music (a lot less). Almost no rock, although it is gaining on me (in the car, though).

I have had several Macs (integrteds and separates), loved their sound, but I want to move forward: Macs' sound is a bit too relaxed for me (although I don't like the sound to be overly crisp). The most important thing for me is musicality and space: I like to listen to music, not sounds.

I want as few boxes as possible, so I want a DAC with an amp in one box. It will be fed through coax or optical from an upgraded 24/96 Sonos.

The contestants at this stage are

1. Electrocompaniet ECI 6 DS
2. Hegel H300
3. Plinius Inspire 980
4. Devialet 120

I am currently leaning towards the Electrocompaniet or Hegel.
Would appreciate your comments on these. Or, maybe, I am missing something here, and there are more choices?

I dont have an opportunity to audition them in my home town, unfortunately, so it will be more or less a blind buy.

Comments from Shahinian owners are more than welcome.

Thanks a lot for your comments!
ja_zz

Showing 10 responses by ja_zz

Mdemaio,
Thank you for your suggestion. Bryston is not well represented where I live, unfortunately.
As for separates. .. I have already had the Sonos + CHORD DAC64 + McIntosh separates + Vandersteen 3A Sig setup. Too many boxes/bulk for me.
Mdemaio,
Appreciate it, but I can only work with brands that are well represented here.
Johnnyb53,

Thanks for your input. However, I have always had a problem with the words "low" and "high",not being an electronics engineer or something...

So, you got me guessing: when saying "low" or "high" what do you mean exactly? Above or below what figure?

Thanks!
I did too, thanks. But the Plinius with the functionality I need - the Inspire 980 - is too low-powered for these Shahinians, IMO.
Sorry people,
Thought Location would show somewhere here, but... My mistake. Apologies.

I am in Russia.

And I do appreciate all your help.

As for brands, I mentioned that at this stage there are 4 amps I am looking at.

Macs are great, and I used to have an M402 and C46 combo, but, firstly, Mac does not make the integrateds with the functionality I need, and, secondly, I want to step away from Mac sound - in my case they used to drive Vandees 3A Sig's, and the sound was great, but, alas, too laid back for me.

Other brands. Mostly European (Linn, Naim, Cambridge, Arcam, Audionet, and the like), however they do sell Rowland, Macs and Manley.
Does this look any good?ЖЖ

Output power: 250W + 250W in 8 ohms, 430W + 430W in 4 ohms
Minimum load: 2 ohms
Analog Inputs: 1 balanced (XLR), 3 unbalanced (RCA)
Fixed analog inputs: 1 unbalanced Home Theatre (RCA)
Digital Inputs: 2 coaxial S/PDIF, 2 optical S/PDIF, 1 USB
Line level output: Unbalanced Pre Out (RCA)
Digital outputs: 1 coaxial S/PDIF
Control inputs: IR direct input (3,5 mm jack), max 12V
Speaker outputs: One pair of heavy duty gold plated terminals
Input impedance: Balanced 10kohm, unbalanced 10kohm
Output impedance pre out: 1kohm
Frequency response: 5Hz-180kHz (+/- 3dB)
Signal to noise ratio: More than 100dB
Crosstalk: Less than -100dB
Distortion: Less than 0,005% @ 100W 8 ohms 1kHz
Intermodulation: Less than 0,01% (19kHz + 20kHz)
Damping factor: More than 1000 (main output stage)
Power Supply: 1000VA dual mono, 90 000uF capacitors
Output stage: 20 pcs 15A 150W high speed bipolar transistors
Power consumption: 60W in standby switched on
Well,

I have finally opted for a second-hand Hegel H300.

http://www.hegel.com/products/integrated/h300

Will keep you posted on how happy I am with this combo.

Thanks for your input.

PS On a sidenote some people on another audio forum have recommended a Krell Digital Vanguard. What do you say on that one?
OK, received the speakers, running them from s Sonos zp120 amp (which sucks), waiting for my amp to arrive.

What, in your experience, is burn-in period for NEW Shahinians?