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Nsgarch - you might be right, the constraints remain. Truth be known I love both for their respective qualities! |
I've heard the DSP 7000, but not the 8000 - I preferred the sound of analogue to digital speakers (just) and it gave me more flexibility to upgrade a bit at a time.
Boulder are on the list! |
Preamp (processor actually) is the Meridian 861 v4.2
Speakers are Wilson Sophia, these will be upgraded further down the road, but not for a year at least. The amp will never be upgraded - at least that's the plan. I may consider a seperate pre-amp - but all the demos I've heard, the Meridian holds it's own against some of the best line preamps out there.
Goldmund could be a consideration - they appear to be a Swiss Boulder from what I've seen (but not heard). I did have tube research on my list, but they looked too big. |
Lamm are not off the radar - I originally designed the cabinet specifically for them including the vents in the base directly below where the cooling fins are on the 1.2 Ref. It's just very diffucult as they are not represented in the UK (to my knowledge).
Pass Labs XA-160/200 are a consideration - I saw a thread about A/B with a Dartzeel - distribution of Pass in the UK does exist too! |
yep abundant choices alright.
I tried to do a little research on the FM acoustics, but it would appear almost no-one has ever heard them, and those who have would probably not want to sell them. If they're good enough for U2, they're good enough for me!
hehe
Bill - I don't think my budget would quite stretch that far - plus I'd have no fall back if it broke!
I am trying to follow up on those amps mentioned in this thread - but it is growing quite quick (quicker than I had imagined)! |
Cytocycle - thanks for the response again - I've tried searching for a definition of "musical" but not found any. I guess that's the point though - it's the bit you can't measure that draws you into the music. Perhaps I'll have a better idea once I have heard some of the tubes on my list, but I'd ask you of your opinion of what makes an amp musical.
Also - I understand from other posts that Krell is often accused of this non-musical / sterile sound. I also read in a review that the evolution has addressed this characteristic - was your comment related to FPB series or Evolution? |
I think someone mentioned the CAT - a localish dealer (High End Broker) has a pair of JL-1 Signatures going for only 12500 Euros - which is a massive discount from new if I recall correctly. They might be worth an investigate!
With that I suggest my new list is:
DSP 8000 (factory organising a demo for me - my dealer hates them "comparing a Frod Escort to a Ferrari" but I have to give them a listen)
Krell Evolution - but think too expensive for me and now 2nd hand market to judge.
VTL S-400
Pass Labs - XA-160/200
Lamm 1.2 Ref
Dartzeel (which should be similar to Lamm me thinks)
MBL - if I can find an outlet to demo |
Thanks for the responses again.
Cyctocycle - I didn't realise the Lamm's were not fully balanced. I can output all balanced or unbalanced in 7.1 if need be (I have the all the cards too!) but single ended has proven to be susceptible to hum in the past - this might be the case with the Lamm, but it was with my Krell.
I'll look into the Thetas - but think if thst was my route, I'd be better off as earlier suggested with DSP 8000's. |
*None* of the Meridian dealers carry dsp-8000 as a demo item, the UK market - I think - is not really the main focus for M.
I have an internet acquaintence who has a pair, I hope he will invite me round - I've sent him a message! If not I will have to go to the factory! (Only 30 miles, but they are not keen - that said I've already bought their most expensive processor, I will buy the 800 when they sort out which format to use = so they should give me the time of day!)
Homefuture - did you experience any hum when you ran unbalanced? Is it just my Krell? MBL are on my list, but don't figure very high - simply on availability!
I was posting on the Hikers site about 8000s they would really make life very easy - no cable worries, no amp worries, local support everything. Just last time I compared 7000 vs Sophia I preferred Wilson.
With respect to MBL being too much for Sophia, I recall a moment at the Heathrow Penta show 1990 where some huge Krell's were filling a large room (60' * 50') driving a pair of budget speakers (£150 max) and they sounded fantastic. As a result, this is why my budget for a power amp is so generous! |
Now I'm in a better position - tweeters are fixed and seem to be OK.
I spoke with my dealer about my choices and the best way to go about listening to them. He firstly suggested I should revise my list. I reason I respect his opinion is that he didn't just poo-poo anything he didn't distribute.
He did poo-poo, however - Boulder and the Meridian DSP8000.
The Meridian I have to listen to anyway given I know the guys at the factory and they are trying to help me.
He suggested out of my list that he recommended the Pass Labs, VTL, Dartzeel (which he said would be enough power for my speakers and room) and Lamm.
He also said I might consider something that was not on my list (that he does distribute) which was the Krell Evolution range. (New prices in the UK are hideously expensive - pounds=dollar price - so even with my budget I could only afford an Evolution 402 or stretch to 600)
The Evolution One costs about £50,000 or $90,000 over here!! For that I could get used MRA monos and swap the PSUs.
Has anyone heard the evolution range and how they compare with the others?
I think given the Krell import policy to the UK, I won't be getting value for money. VTL prices are comparable with the exchange rate as is the Dartzeel. |
I like the whole easy to work with tubiness of the s-400.
So apart from the Evolution (which I probably can't afford) you would concur with my cheat sheet? |
I now recognise the brand as EAR - which I have heard of. I'll give them a call this week.
Seperately I got an email from FM acoustics today - they don't distribute in the UK and don't have any 2nd hand kit (they invite you to ask on their site). I sent a reply but I'm not hopeful as I am not a rock star! |
I have had a word with the UK distributor for Lamm. He suggested that even a ML2.1 may work with my speakers - well we'll see!
He also thought, as many would, a Lamm pre-amp would be beneficial. I'm not ready for that though - doesn't mean it will never happen. Using my 861, means I could have a nice crossover point and use my sub to help out a lower powered amp. |
Re:Chapter
I have exchanged a couple of email with Duncan and spoke with him today. I'll listen to the stereo couplet and if I like it, I may consider a home demo of the mono couplets (which I don;t think are on their website yet.)
Relative to the other amps I'm considering, they are far less expensive (half) because of lack of distribution costs in the UK so could be a bargain - but they do have to be good too! |
Soniqmike - the sophias are not my last step. But whilst I live in my current house, with the living room on the first floor and the room only 14' * 16' - they are staying. The next upgrade will be to a Meridian 800 cd/dvd player.
As for keeping some money back to see more live performances, it's a good idea, but money for this is a seperate budget. 30k is the correct budget for the amp - if it comes in less, that's all well and good.
I'm on holiday ATM so i'll begin to listen when I get back. |
