Best power for 10,000


Fellow Audiogoners,

I am in need of your help. I require your suggestions for the best high resolution pre/power amplifier I can get for $10,000. Integrated amps and pre/power combos, new or used are all O.K. with me. I like detail, but not harshness, excessive midrange bloom or loose, baggy bass. Overall, I want neutral, precise sound from top to bottom. So far the best I have heard is the Linn Klimax twin power amp, but at $9000, there isn't much left in the budget for a preamp. Associated equipment will be a Sony XA-777ES SACD player, possibly with a Chord DAC 64, Wilson Benesch ACT One speakers and Kimber Select cables. Plans are for a CD 12 at some point.

Many Thanks,

T.H.
thsalmon

Showing 1 response by bwhite

Hi Thsalmon - Danielk141 is right. The WB's don't require much more than 200 or 250 watts. They can be bass shy with low power amps but like I said, 200 - 250 solid state amps really drive the WB's to a level where a great majority of the bass is NOT an issue. Of course a REL would help no matter what.

I am curious to know how you are connecting your speaker cables. Tri-wire? jumpers? Factory plates?

I have used Electrocompaniet, PASS, Chord, McIntosh, Cary, Krell, Accuphase and Plinius with these speakers.. but my favorite thus far has been LAMM M1.1's.

In all honesty - the WB's are very neutral and while every amp has its unique character, a WB system seems to benefit more from a good preamp and cabling. I really hate to say but amps can be secondary to a fantastic TUBE preamp.

Ask around about Supratek Cortese or Syrah preamps.

The XA777ES is good - gets better with age and can be modified to have tube output and power supply - but I am sure you already know that. The CD12 would be the holy grail for your system and would be utterly magnificent with a Supratek Cortese, LAMM M1.1's and the cables of your choice... See you've gotta play with interconnects. KS is good but there might be better matches available as your system evolves.