2. amps-preamps
  3. 165107-86936

Hoping for a recommendation for stereo amp around $1500 or less ($2k max)

Powering ascend acoustics towers with RAAL ribbons and running a powered rhythmik 12" sub which is currently integrated with my onkyo tx8270 2.1 receiver crossed at 50hz.  I want to use my topping D90/A90 dac/amp stack and use it as a dac/preamp using the remote to control the volume on the dac while leaving the volume knob in place.  Will most likely run balanced out to the amp.  I need to have some way of integrating the sub with the main speakers so the amp would need to have rca full signal out so I can use the dial on the sub to adjust crossover.  If there's a better way to integrate the sub I'm open to it.  I want an amp with hopefully 200w or more and neutral clear but fun/powerful sound like my A90 does for my headphones.  I'm totally new to the world of separates and looking to let my speakers show their maximum potential.  So far I've come across outlaw audio mono blocks but they don't have rca out to go to the sub.  Also came across parasound classic which looked pretty nice but you guys probably know of something much better.  Thank you!
brandini

Showing 3 responses by soix

soix
10,098 posts
 
@brandini — congrats on the new amp, and it’d be interesting to hear your thoughts after you have >100 hours on it. Also, at some point you should consider sending it to Ric At Electonic Visionary Systems for some cost-effective upgrades that could up the performance level even further.

@yyzsantabarbara — has the D-Sonic fully broken in?  What didn’t you like about it with the headphones? We’re you using the Coda in that setup too?  What would you consider the core strengths/weaknesses of the amp?  Thanks for the update — very interesting. 
soix
10,098 posts
 
@yyzsantabarbara — sorry didn’t see your prior question until now.  No I don’t have the DSonic amp, but in reading the reviews it came across as an amp on the sonic level of amps costing multiples of its price so always stayed on my radar and never quite understood how it stays so relatively unknown even despite a lack of advertising.  Obviously I’m hugely interested in your impressions as I could definitely be a customer in the future. 
soix
10,098 posts
 
There’s a pair of Bel Canto 500M monos on US AudioMart for $1800 that’d be great.  Another excellent option would be a D-Sonic M3a-800S for $1475 new, and they offer a trial period, which is obviously a nice option.  D-Sonic flies under the radar, but if you read the reviews it makes you wonder why. 

Also, if you’re upgrading to amps of this caliber you really need to invest in a better preamp as well or a lot of your system’s performance potential will be unrealized.  Preamps matter as much or more than amps IME.  Hope this helps, and best of luck. 
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