2. amps-preamps
  3. 160439-37252

Integrated/Power Amp for Vienna Acoustics Mahler

My current system consists of a Teac VRDS-25 CD player with a superclock used only as a transport (and a streamer) into a Weiss DAC 202. The Weiss feeds a BAT VK40 preamp modified with Mundorf SilverOil coupling caps. The powers amps are DIY Hypex Ncore NC400 based monoblocks feeding the Vienna Acoustics Mahlers speakers with upgraded crossover components. There is no analogue front end. I mainly listen to rock, progressive metal/symphonic metal and a little opera.

The system sounds good but I feel the highs are little harsh, perhaps even thin with perhaps a hint of sibilance which I think could be associated with the Class D amplification. I am therefore thinking of either upgrading the monoblocks or replace the preamp and the power amps with a quality integrated. Valves are out, the Mahlers while are relatively efficient, present a difficult load dropping to below 3 Ohms at some frequencies bellow 100Hz, IMO they need loads of current to drive them properly.

I am considering the following integrated amps:
  •  Gryphon Diablo ( the original, NOT the 3000) / Diablo120
  •  T+A PA3000HV
  •  ASR Emitter II (Exclusive) 
  •  Vitus RI-100
  •  Audio Flight FLS10 
  • Audio Analogue Maestro Anniversary
  •  Audionet Watt?

Alternatively I keep the BAT preamp and I look for a power amp:
  •  Old secondhand Gryphon Antileon (perhaps Signature, not the EVO)
  •  Burmester 956 MKII
  •  Linnenberg Liszt
  •  Kinki Studio EX-P7

I am based in Europe, all of the above are within my budget (mostly secondhand), I could stretch my budget for something exceptional. Unfortunately there is no way I could audition any of it where I live so it is going to be a blind buy...
Anything else to consider? Any thoughts?

Thanks!

greg_f

Showing 8 responses by greg_f

greg_f OP
110 posts
 
Thank you for responding! I honestly didn't expect anyone to reply after such a long time. I used to live in London and I would regularly visit several hifi shops. Where I am living currently is very difficult to find dedicated hifi shops and with Covid almost impossible to travel. I do read all the usual reviews and visit several forums but you are right there is nothing like listening to the actual equipment.
greg_f OP
110 posts
 
Glad you have been vaccinated and you have freedom to move around. I have done anything about the amp yet, we have been busy renovating a dream house which we are just about finishing off. I lived in the UK for many, many years always in London and the south coast but I am moving back to my native country, Greece. I see you are from the US as I guess most of the members over here, I have been visiting the US very frequently, mainly with work. The pandemic has been devastating and travel restriction still apply, I am waiting for my second jab.
greg_f OP
110 posts
 
Thanks! I will PM you soon as I will start looking in the next month or so.
greg_f OP
110 posts
 
@gregm, first of all are we in the same country? :) Thanks for the suggestions, very interesting that you put the Vitus above the Diablo 120 but below the 300. Is there that much difference between the two Diablos? I thought the ASR emitter II exclusive was fuller that the Diablo but there you go. Do you have personal experience of these amps? Please tell me more.

@gosta, did you have a change to compare the Diablo with anythng else before buying it? If you do upgrade to the Gryphon Class A amps, they have tons of current, they can drive extremely difficult loads so they should be able to drive the Salons well.
greg_f OP
110 posts
 
@yage I am using the Weiss Filter A, Daniel promised some more filters but never had the time or felt the need to implement them.  I was planning of doing exactly what you are suggesting, passing the BAT.
@gosta. That is an impressive list of amps you tried, The Hegel H30 was in my radar too, also some Audionet MAX amp monoblocks. Unfortunately there aren't as popular for some reason.

If you go pre/power amps you have to consider carefully the preamp of course, perhaps you need one with high gain if you want to play really loud. What are the dimensions of your room? I don't know anyone who run out of power with the big Gryphons (Antileon upwards).
greg_f OP
110 posts
 
@csarcone,
Thank you. That was/is exactly my issue, the treble sometimes is too sharp, that is the reason I would like to try something else than Ncore. Before the Ncore I had the Nuforce Ref9seV3 which exhibited similar behaviour. I have read that some guys think the AHB2 is too analytical though it has excellent measurements. Perhaps that is what is needed with our speakers.

The upgraded xovers were not offered by VA nor were they part of a kit, I have analyzed the circuit and I replaced what I believe are key capacitors with Mundorf Silver/Oil ones that I had leftover from another project.

greg_f OP
110 posts
 
@gosta,please let me know your impressions when and if you try the X250.8 and the H30.

greg_f OP
110 posts
 
@csarcone

Good to hear you are satisfied with the AHB2. So you are running them in bridged mode? Why did you feel the need to add a second one?

Yes, I have tried the tweeter attenuation but didn't 'cure' my issue. I am moving to a new house with a dedicated music room which will be measured and then acoustically treated. As for EQ, I haven't mentioned that there is a Trinnov ST2 Hifi between the digital transport and the DAC used in the digital domain to provide room correction. The point is I am trying to get as good as possible sound before I apply room correction, which of course brings its own problems.

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