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Beginner choosing amp help

Hi guys , I’m new to the hobby and needed some advice/help picking out an integrated amp or separates.I have Martin Logan motion 40s and a sub. I am currently using a Yamaha as 801. I was thinking about upgrading if it would be worth it. I would like to gain more detail/ clarity and more dynamics if possible without being harsh/ fatiguing. I’d like to stay in the 3 k range. I listen to 60% jazz and acoustic and a little bit of everything else. Mostly stream tidal and just getting into vinyl.I’ve heard good things about Parasound Hint 6 or the separates in this combo, Hegel 190, Belles soloist , or even a Yamaha as 1100. What are your opinions on those amps and will they achieve more clarity and detail? Would the difference be significant compared to what I have now? Thanks for all of the help!
tbs
modernspeakers's avatar
modernspeakers
2 posts
 
look into a used integrated McIntosh.  
bullitt5094's avatar
bullitt5094
266 posts
 
I went through valve amps, SS amps etc. and did a ton of A-B comparisons with my Wife and Daughter. They have bat ears and will notice even subtle changes in a system. Plus they knew/understood zero about the hardware. No hardware bias. And after testing much more expensive and highly recommended hardware, I was shocked that the clear winner was the Lyngdorf 2170. Had a tough time sending back the LTA hardware. It was so cool looking! Alas... So I put my money where our opinions were and purchased a 2170. It does remarkable things with both digital and analog signal paths. The best digital sound I’ve ever heard with some fairly expensive hardware upstream. But I wasn’t expecting the Analog to be so good. I feed it from a Feikert Turntable/Origin Live arm/Hanna SL cart/Whest two.2 phono pre. Now if you like the "tube sound" it may not be for you. But if you want the amp to disappear in your signal path, it will do that. It will also disappear in you room. It is a small amp if you’re not to the big house stage in your life yet.
The 2170 is closer to the $4K range in price but if you consider it includes an excellent D/A converter internally, and very effective room correction system, it may be more attractive. You can get them for less from some dealers. PM me if interested and I can give you a good source.
serrada
2 posts
 
Big difference between the A-S801 and the A-S1100, A-S2100 and A-S3000. Fantastic phono stages and all three are about the same. For me the best deal is the A-S2100. Cant see ever selling it. Check out the reviews post, mags, digital trends and new record day. All I want to do is just keep up grading speakers and components. 
serrada
2 posts
 
Also,  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMJ8Uh1rfew

tjassoc
258 posts
 
I'll recommend a Pass XA-30.5. I had this in our system before upgrading to XA-200.5's. The were dramatically better than our X-250.5 amplifier, everyone who heard the comparison - audiophile, music lover or just an uninformed guest - liked the 30.5 better.
Our system was Sasha I's, Meridian 800 transport, 861v6 D/A, top tier MIT Oracle cables, Sound Application power conditioner.
This amplifier will put out 30 watts class A and goes just beyond 200 watts into 8 ohms. Drove our Sasha I's effortlessly.
It's an hugh over achiever and performs well above it's price point. If you buy one right, you can try it and sell it for no loss.
But that was just a disclaimer - if your system is up to it, you won't sell it.
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