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I was happy with my system for 30 years; now I need a new amp...and more?

Greetings, can you help? My amps died. I have a wide range of listening: rock and roll mostly (70's mainly), some jazz, minimal classical.

 

Sources are LPs and CDs. I even still have a Nak tape deck for live music tapes...

I had VTL 80W mono blocks since 1992, combined with VTL Deluxe Preamplifier.

Speakers were EPOS ES11 (still have them, been in boxes for years), then some used Thiel CS3.5 (sold), now some Klipsch R820F that I got at Best Buy (I know).

Source is AR turntable that I've had since early 90's, don't remember what cartridge but it's relatively new.

CD player was Cal Audio Labs that stopped reading discs a few years ago (is this worth getting repaired? Tend to doubt it), now Phillips 900 series CD player, seems solid.

 

The VTL tube preamp had some bad tubes which are now replaced and it appears to be functioning well.

The tube amps had major issues with capacitors and I decided to sell them and move on instead of getting them repaired.

 

So! Now I need to get a new amp. Ideally I would use the existing preamp, possibly combining it with a solid state amp. I know the speakers are not that great, and the CD player probably needs upgrading.


The room is small--I sit about 12' from the speakers, the ceiling is average height (10'?), the room has a concrete floor covered with a rug (not carpet) and there are a lot of windows.

Budget is a bit flexible. I was thinking first I need the amp, then maybe upgrade the CD player (is it bad?), and finally the speakers.

One option is the Schiit Vidar 2 amp which, if I just get one, would work with the existing tube preamp (need balanced inputs to use two as mono blocks, which I don't have from this preamp). I would like for the amp to NOT run super hot if possible.

 

Budget (all are ± $500)

I could spend up to maybe $1500 on the amp

Up to maybe $1000 on the CD player (ideally less, or maybe not at all?)

Up to maybe $2000 on the speakers but that wouldn't be for another year or so. Focal?

 

Also: Minimal local dealers for stereo equipment! Tough to audition gear, plus it's not the same as hearing it in one's own room.

 

Looking for recommendations for an amp I can use with my tube pre-amp but also would consider something integrated (and sell the Deluxe to fund it) or other options?

 

THANK YOU.

drbeechwood

Showing 1 response by petaluman

petaluman
140 posts
 

The first thing you need to do is decide how serious you are about upgrading your speakers.  Klipsch rates the R820F sensitivity as 97db/watt.  I checked a couple of less expensive Focal towers - they are rated around 91db.  Sensitivity rating are subject to some fudging, but 6db difference = 4x the power required.  Many speakers are listed below 90db/watt.

If you want to upgrade your speakers, you should keep that in mind when looking for an amp.  If you're happy with the sound you were getting, then compatibility with the Klipschs comes first.

Did you get to hear them with your tube amps while still working fine?  Did you feel like you needed more power, or had it to spare?  If all was good (enough), you should consider another tube amp, or a modestly powered SS amp from a reputable company.  If you want the option to change out speakers without having to revisit the amp, SS is far more versatile. 

Personally, I think regular SS is still a better buy on Sound Quality/$ than class D.  Also, on the Hypex amps I checked out, the power ratings were all for peak power - their RMS ratings were only 1/5 of that.  Conventional amps are rated for RMS power.  This makes them tricky to compare numerically.

I feel like a broken record sometimes, but there's a lot of love here on the left coast for Parasound, an SF-based company with a comprehensive line of well-designed & versatile amplification components.  The NewClassic 275 v.2 gives 90 watts/channel for $900 list new, the 2125 model is 150 watts @ $1100, and the 2250 is 275 watts for $1800.  If you get more serious, they have another line (Halo); their top amp is the mono JC1+ at over $9000/side.  The design team is headed up by audio legend John Curl.

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