D-Sonic
M3a-1200S. 2 X 800 into 8 Ohm, $1975.
Amplifier upgrade advice under $2000
Hi! I have a new pair of speakers on order and want to upgrade my power amplifier to be ready when they arrive. My current system is Klipsch Heresy III, Onkyo M504 amp, MiniDSP SHD preamp/streamer/room correction, and SVS SB12 sub.
Scheduled to arrive in December are Ohm Walsh 2000. Research indicates these like a lot of power. If the Ohms don’t work out I’ll shop for a used B&W 804, so still probably needs good power.
So, with a budget under $2000, wondering if I can get something that sounds significantly better than the Onkyo. Used is fine. Brands I have seen come up in the price range are Classe (ca-150), Vincent (331MK), Krell, PS Audio, Parasound, Bryston, etc.
I want to know if this would be a significant upgrade in this price range. My sense is that brands like Rotel, Adcom, Emotiva, etc. would probably not change the sound all that much. I also have a Crown ps-400, for example, that sounds pretty much identical to the Onkyo.
I recently tried out a Rogue Atlas Magnum tube amp. It sounded great with the Heresys, a definite upgrade. Unfortunately it created a loud speaker hum that I was unable to fix. But it did make me crave the tube sound. But it seems like finding a high powered tube amp to work with the Ohm Walsh is going to be challenging.
Sorry for the rambling, basically, is it worth spending $1-2K on a new amp or should I wait until I can get into a higher price range before ditching the Onkyo (which has those awesome green meters!). Thanks!
Scheduled to arrive in December are Ohm Walsh 2000. Research indicates these like a lot of power. If the Ohms don’t work out I’ll shop for a used B&W 804, so still probably needs good power.
So, with a budget under $2000, wondering if I can get something that sounds significantly better than the Onkyo. Used is fine. Brands I have seen come up in the price range are Classe (ca-150), Vincent (331MK), Krell, PS Audio, Parasound, Bryston, etc.
I want to know if this would be a significant upgrade in this price range. My sense is that brands like Rotel, Adcom, Emotiva, etc. would probably not change the sound all that much. I also have a Crown ps-400, for example, that sounds pretty much identical to the Onkyo.
I recently tried out a Rogue Atlas Magnum tube amp. It sounded great with the Heresys, a definite upgrade. Unfortunately it created a loud speaker hum that I was unable to fix. But it did make me crave the tube sound. But it seems like finding a high powered tube amp to work with the Ohm Walsh is going to be challenging.
Sorry for the rambling, basically, is it worth spending $1-2K on a new amp or should I wait until I can get into a higher price range before ditching the Onkyo (which has those awesome green meters!). Thanks!
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- 49 posts total
Save yourself some money and get one of these amps. Sumo Andromeda Bryston 4B Or if you're brave (but probably you aren't), you could build a pair of VTA M125 monoblock tube amps (120 watts each). |
I am sure the most knowledgeable person on the Ohm speakers and amplifiers is Ohm owner John. Give him a call. Once you both have narrowed down your options you can then ask this fine group about experiences with those amps recommended by John. Great guy and great company. Let us know how you like the Ohm speakers. I love their souund. |
- 49 posts total