I have a turntable-based 2-ch. system that I'm upgrading from small sats and a powered sub (Mirage Omnisats) to full-range floorstanders with dual speaker inputs for bi-wiring or bi-amping (
Mirage OMD-15).
Right now the little satellites are powered by a 70 wpc Amber Series 70 power amp, but I figure that if I'm taking the powered sub out, I'll need more power and current to bring out the bass in the Mirage floorstanders.
The subwoofer would be removed; part of the deal I made with the wife is that if I upgraded this far, the floorstanders would have enough bass that I'd remove the powered subwoofer so she could have the hearth back to decorate or appoint however she'd like.
Plus, even though I've been pretty successful blending subs with satellites, I'd like all the music to come from two speakers so I can get a time-cohesive sound anywhere in the room.
I have a rack space for the preamp (already occupied with one) and a rack space for an amp (currently occupied by the Amber). I also have to watch the budget, and want to keep the expenditure below around $600. Here are some options I'm considering:
1. Get a multi-channel amp and bi-amp from that. With this method, you know that all the drivers are getting the same quality signal with the same characteristics. With careful shopping I can get a used 5-channel Acurus or B&K for around $500.
2. Get a stereo high power, high current amp and just bi-wire. I've found that you can occasionally find a Parasound HCA-2200 II for around $600-700. I have no doubt that the HCA-2200 II could deliver the power, current, and ironclad control (damping factor > 1000 @ 20Hz!) of the low end.
3. Get a Cambridge Audio 640A integrated amp to replace the line stage currently occupying that rack space. Use the Cambridge's 75 wpc power section to drive the mid/tweets, and the high current Amber on the shelf below to drive the bass drivers. I am already using a Cambridge 640P phono stage, so I should have a great match at the turntable-to-line stage interface. I have also heard the 640A because I installed on in my neighbor's house. I think the 640A is almost worth its asking price as a line stage, but the power section is also impressive. These things are very fast and clean while becoming musical as they break in. And they have a headphone jack and aluminum-bodied remote control. Cosmetically, this would be an attractive solution; the silver-face Cambridge stuff is nice looking (WAF).
4. Don't buy any amp; take one of my non-operable VSP Labs TransMOS high current amps to the shop and get it fixed. They came along 10 years earlier, but sound and behave a lot like the Curl-designed Parasounds.
Soooo... what would you do? Pencils up!
