I'm aware that this post comes rather late, but I thought it could still be useful to people looking for an amplifier for their Arias 906s. I auditioned a number of amps recently, and decided on the Audiolab 6000A. The sound I was looking for had to be warm and delicate, without any sharpness in the midrange, as any strident sound causes my to have a migraine (!). So not an easy task :-)
Besides the Audiolab, I listened to the following amplifiers, all through the Arias: Arcam SA10, NAD C368 and Bluesound Powernode 2i (the last one seems a bit crazy, I know, but I was actually rather curious!).
The 6000A proved to be a perfect match to the Arias. As mentioned in a number of reviews, this amp is characterized by clarity, a clean, tidy and fast sound which - if it is slightly dry - is 'humanised' by the warm, sweet and sensitive character of the Arias. Interestingly, despite its somewhat analytical character, this amp is never harsh or strident, but - at least when paired with the Arias - it retains a sweet nature and a pleasing and refined transparency.
By comparison, the Arcam sounded warmer in the midrange (which, together with the treble, remained clear and refined) but was plagued by a loose and overblown bass, which affected intelligibility and musical insight. The NAD had a tighter, cleaner bass, with lots of power on reserve, but less clarity in the midrange and highs. The NAD sound is rounded, warm and pleasing, but slightly lacking in musical transparency and seeming a little 'veiled'. Neither the Arcam or the NAD worked well with the Arias, in my view - although they might display different strengths with other speakers. As for the Bluesound (in case you were wondering), it had a surprisingly clean and organised sound - at least at listening levels. However the sound remains a bit lean and undernourished, and quickly falls apart at higher volumes. For a 'lifestyle' tiny product, though, it is surprisingly accomplished.
In my view, therefore, the Audiolab 6000A and the Aria 906s are a phenomenal match. This combination sounds very mature and proficient and I personally think that it surpasses many systems twice as expensive.
Hope this may be of some help. :-)
Besides the Audiolab, I listened to the following amplifiers, all through the Arias: Arcam SA10, NAD C368 and Bluesound Powernode 2i (the last one seems a bit crazy, I know, but I was actually rather curious!).
The 6000A proved to be a perfect match to the Arias. As mentioned in a number of reviews, this amp is characterized by clarity, a clean, tidy and fast sound which - if it is slightly dry - is 'humanised' by the warm, sweet and sensitive character of the Arias. Interestingly, despite its somewhat analytical character, this amp is never harsh or strident, but - at least when paired with the Arias - it retains a sweet nature and a pleasing and refined transparency.
By comparison, the Arcam sounded warmer in the midrange (which, together with the treble, remained clear and refined) but was plagued by a loose and overblown bass, which affected intelligibility and musical insight. The NAD had a tighter, cleaner bass, with lots of power on reserve, but less clarity in the midrange and highs. The NAD sound is rounded, warm and pleasing, but slightly lacking in musical transparency and seeming a little 'veiled'. Neither the Arcam or the NAD worked well with the Arias, in my view - although they might display different strengths with other speakers. As for the Bluesound (in case you were wondering), it had a surprisingly clean and organised sound - at least at listening levels. However the sound remains a bit lean and undernourished, and quickly falls apart at higher volumes. For a 'lifestyle' tiny product, though, it is surprisingly accomplished.
In my view, therefore, the Audiolab 6000A and the Aria 906s are a phenomenal match. This combination sounds very mature and proficient and I personally think that it surpasses many systems twice as expensive.
Hope this may be of some help. :-)