High end high quality int. amp for low level listening


Hello to all Audigon members.  I'm quite in a dilemma weather I should upgrade my amplifier. Currently I own Pathos classic one MK3 driving Sonus Faber Sonetto's speakers, and I must say I'm very happy with sound filling my 35 square meters room. However, it's known that the speakers are power hungry as they rated at 86db sensitivity and 4 ohm impedance and I think they will surely benefit from a bigger power supply. With all that being said I'm not sure if I will hear any improvement mostly because 90% of the time I listen at ~60dBs SPL. My budget is around 5k $ and these are the amplifiers I've been considering:  Hegel H390, Anthem STR, Cambridge Audio Edge A, McIntosh MA5300/MA252, Accuphase e280, Rotel Michi x3 or used Pass Labs INT 25, Mark Levinson 5805.

What do you think guys, will any of the amplifiers make ay difference at 60dB SPL ? 
celestial__sound

Showing 1 response by elliottbnewcombjr

I suspect, IF you had more power you would listen at higher levels, a little louder, some times, if not frequently. Probably now wanting to push your existing amp to the limit now.

I also agree with Eric, at low levels, a bass boost would make a more involving musical experience. ’Loudness’ circuits when used as intended, automatically and progressively boost bass as volume lowers, to compensate for our hearing system’s properties, reducing and eliminating the boost as you raise the volume. Few modern preamps include 'Loudness'.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equal-loudness_contour

Of course, you could keep the amp and change to more efficient speakers instead.

Existing amp: do you have another space where you could set it up with more efficient speakers rather than sell it?