help with s.s. amp upgrade


greetings. have been slowly upgrading my system over the last few months. just began doing a little homework here on audiogon. i am in the market for a good used 1-2k S.S. amp.

am considering a variety of options...
arragon 8008bb - krell ksa-150 - mccormick dna -125, 250 - classe 15 etc.

without having the opportunity to actually sit down and let my ear be my guide - i was hoping to borrow a bit from your listening expertice. what can you tell me about each?

out of all these listed {and any that i missed} which is going to express more of the artists truer intention though the music? i.e. read some great reviews on the mccormick not coloring the sound... blah blah blah.

current system:

power plant: PS Audio PS-600

pre-amp: Audio Research LS3

cd: Naim CD5i

amp: Rotel RB 981 {120 wpc}

speakers: Paradigm Studio 100's V3.

speaker cables: Transparent "The Wave"

interconnects: Interlink "The Link" 200

any of this i should consider revamping?

the listening room is 13 x 22 with vaulted ceilings.

i plan on upgrading my speaker cables/interconnects a.s.a.p. and playing around quite a bit with room accustics. hoping to rest and enjoy for a bit after upgrading this phase.

thanks in advance.
timtopper

Showing 2 responses by czbbcl

I second Raytheprinters recommendation pertaining to the cj MF2500A. I utilized one to drive a pair of thiels before moving on to a cj premier 350 and it was a very musical amp. Should be a great match up with your AR pre-amp.
timtopper

The MF2500A is made by conrad johnson and is an excellent amplifier. It sells new for about $4000 USD and is 250wpc into an 8ohm load. You can buy one used for about $1800-$2000USD if you buy a used one make sure it is the "A" model. Sonic characteristics are that it is very musical and has a similar sonic signiture to their tube amps for which they are better known; an excellent amp for jazz and classical. For more information you can puruse their website at www.conradjohnson.com as a side bar they also own McCormack.

Chuck