I reached another point of critical mass after upgrading the DC power supply of an LTA MZ2 to an Uptone Audio JS-2 in November. While its only 1W of class A, the amplifier output puts the Hafler to shame for transparency and dynamics in a 12x12 listening room, only flags when massed orchestra pushes the MZ2 to its current limit.The Stratos ampdoes appear to be best bang for the buck so far, still considering.
Best amp options between $2k-$4 to power Magnepan 1.7?
I currently own a PrimaLuna Prologue Premium along with a Musical Concepts modded Hafler DH-200 that had been just gathering dust. Apparently I upgraded my source chain past some critical mass over the past 2 years... when previously tried, the Hafler was more dynamic than the Prima Luna but it just didn't do anything to counterbalance the better midrangecolor and tone color solidnessof the PL... now the modded Hafler just blows away the Prima Luna for dynamics, imaging and bass foundation.
So I think I should buy a good solid state amp that will improve on the Hafler; can I find one in the $2K-$4K rangethat will also come close to the Prima Luna for tone color ability, no sandpaper on vocals and have the requisite wattagefor Magnepan?
So I think I should buy a good solid state amp that will improve on the Hafler; can I find one in the $2K-$4K rangethat will also come close to the Prima Luna for tone color ability, no sandpaper on vocals and have the requisite wattagefor Magnepan?
Showing 7 responses by davide256
I plan to upgrade because it isn’t as good an amp for voice and woodwinds. It’s a very accurate amp but the reason I originally bought the Prima Luna still holds... the MC DH200 is light on tone color and male vocals have a sandpaper sound quality. I have seen a lot of past references to Bryston and Parasound, there is a Magnepan dealer in Centreville VA I’ve bought from who carries both so I can at least audition them. Willing to travel in MD-VA-NC area if other good choices exist and can be dealer auditioned. |
Still running the Hafler, spent the last year improving my digital playback chain with great results. On my watch/listen list for possible next amp, Sanders Magtech, Hegel H20, Primare A60. Hafler has kept up with improvements but it has some edginess, and lacks the effortlessness I've heard from better amps at show demos |
Looking forward to CAF in a few weeks. Never made a move on the Odyssey amps as kept reading reviews that said 300 hours of break in was needed.... hated how it took Teflon caps 6 months to break in with the Prima Luna. Still using the Hafler but the summer months really made me aware of its heat output. Considering now something like the PS Audio M700 mono's which run around $3k for 700w into 4 ohms. |
Ended up buying the Orchard Audio 150W GaN mono blocks. Loving how transparent they are, rediscovering both my analog and digital collection. Far better at driving Magnepan 1.7s then anything else I have used. The only critique I have is that they can't slam the way the Hafler DH200 did, may eventually buy the Stereo Ultra for that reason, to get larger wattage reserve |
@kennyc the orchard audio GAN monos had fixed OPAMPS, the Apollon amps allow OPAMP rolling. The stock OPAMPS on the Apollon sounded a little cold in comparison to the OA GAN amps but the Sparkos OPAMPS were a worthwhile upgrade, a softer and warmer sound. |