If it needs to be around 100 watts and smooth, my vote goes to a Creek Destiny. About $1500 used. |
I've owned two Sim I-5s over the years and loved them. |
The Pathos Classic One is a little shy on the app 100 wpc power requirement but is a great sounding, great looking amp (available used @ <$1500) that is only app 8" wide. I use it with SF Cremonas that, generally speaking, need a potent amp to reach their potential and this match works very, very well.
Marty |
Please reconsider 100 wpc given the room size. At least 200wpc power is a must, otherwise you will be very disappointed. Of course tubes are out, solid state is the only way to go, especially with your budget. |
Can you tell us more about your speakers? You simply said "monitor speakers", so are we to assume Harbeth, Yamaha NS-11s,or Radio Shack?
If you are going to keep your current speakers, they will probably dictate what integrated amp you need more than our off-the-cuff recommendations.
If your speakers are moderately efficient and like the tube sound, I would not worry about the size of your room too much. A good tube or hybrid integrrated amp might work very well - just make sure that you can try before buying.
If it turns out that your speakers are tube-friendly, you might look at the Jolida line of hybrid int. amps. Folks that have them rave about them. I have had short listening sessions with several models and I think that they are a lot of sonic bang for the buck. No integrated phono stage, but their prices are very reaonable and you might well be able to put together a new system within your budget. Less for used,of course. |
the vincent hybrid, which has 100w and 150w versions, is just great and within your budget. (reportedly, shengya makes an identical, less expensive version, which i have not auditioned). |
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creek, audiolab, and cyrus |
Agree with Br3098, we need to know the speakers to make a better recommendation. |
I have speakers that are 89dB efficiency. Now I have Usher V601 but will upgrade when $ is available and I am using a NAD C 720BEE for power with these. |
Get Naim Nait 5i. It's not rated at 100 W, but you will not notice. Musical musical musical. |
Exposure 2010S for solid state, Rogue Cronus for tubes. |
I cannot imagine that you need 100+ watts of power with 89db 8 ohm speakers, if that is an accurate measurement.
You did not say you listen to disco, metal or a lot of rock.
I recommend asking goners to recommend a good quality tube integrated of about 50 watts (or less with a good power supply and transformer) ... something like the Rogue series, the Prima Luna, or the VTL it-85.
What led you to give this list of solid state amps big consideration? |
Just another vote for the Pathos Classic One. I'm using two of them with Sonus Faber speakers. A great combo. They are fine integrateds. Highly recommended. |
tube amps tend to take up more real estate than I have to offer and the 100 watts gives me freedom to select other speakers down the road. I guess 80 watts would do too. What I'm looking for is a musical amp with a big soundstage. I've read good reviews on the amps I listed but I rather get opinions from owners. |
The musical fidelity will drive your monitors. See if yu can swing an old 308 at 150 horsepower feels bigger. I hated it with my analytic speakers but for a PSB it would work well . It is muscular. The 3.2 CR is a smaller versioin with 129=0 watts I thing but has nothing near as muc current. However it can esily hanfle booshelf duties. The classe as my friend says sounds like it suffers from anemia, I don't think it's quite that bad and have n old pre hi end era Classe preamp. The newer stuff sings. I liked the old Plinius 8200 plenty of punch but I hear have quality control issues.
I am obligated to give you it's the amp not the watts lecturwe. I bet you will find more pleasure in a 30 watt pure all class A amp Musical Fidelity makes one that is sellingg with very big discounts into tour range . Than a 200 watt no current, no real substance, radio shOCk amp. I heard 30 wPC tube amps by DeHaviland YestrdaY driving moderately large sized and only Modertely sensitive floorstanding Alons. There was no do difficulty in filling a big room. Send me an email for some specs. |
Well maybe I take my recommendation of the Nait5i back, if what you want is smooooth-ness and soundstage. Nait will give you dynamic, propulsive, involving musicality, but Naim are not big on soundatage or smoothness, especially, and seem to be at the other end of the spectrum you are describing.
But I bet you'd like the Nait anyway, if you gave it a chance. |
