2. amps-preamps
  3. 1326438408

Is an amp the next upgrade path for me? Advice...

Hi all, love the forum, long time fan, and a past purchaser of equipment from here.

My equipment prior to 3 weeks ago, were:
Axiom Audio M22Ti, Arcam a65plus integrated, Axiom EP 125 sub, Squeezebox touch, wiring/power all stock.

Recently purchased a set of PSB Imagine T towers to replace the m22.
Very happy with my decision, soundstage has really opened up!!

Of course, I am now limited to the volume I can play my music (I prefer 2 channel), and have noticed things falling apart a bit at higher volumes, mostly with the higher freq. output. The subwoofer I have at 50hz and below, and used mostly to add a lithe bit of "pop" to the electronica music I so much enjoy. Room size is smallish, say 12 feet b/w me and speakers, but will probably employing these in a larger space soon.

What should my next step up be? I'm interested in larger, more expansive soundstage. I want more "feeling" the music, with a bit more lower end. I want to try and improve the higher end "shrill" that I can get with higher volumes.

I AM NOT intersted in changing speakers, as I'm very happy with these towers.
I AM NOT interested in chancing cables, as I am just not completely sold on this upgrade path, at least, at the current level of equipment I have.

Would you recommend an outboard amp? Higher power Rotel or musical fidelity, for example? And how much power? ( I do want something that will last a long time, with further upgrades in speakers, and larger power req. in the future)
Would you recommend a change completely from the integrated to a much nicer integrated unit with higher output?
If I were to spend 1,000$ on a newer higher powered integrated vs 1000$ on a power amp, where would I see the MOST benefit.
Would you recommend a change the subwoofer either in addition to, or alone as a substantial upgrade?

I appreciate all your input! My budget is probably in the 1K range.

thanks all!
H
mrhdream

Showing 3 responses by rower30

rower30
211 posts
 
I'd say at the volumes you play, you stand to really do some damage to things. Big loud sound on a small budget is burned out tweeters.

Based on THAT fact of volume (each 3dB is about TWICE the power), I'd go to the ODYSSEY site and look at some good quality amplifiers at reasonable prices, or as suggested, look at used McCormack (easier to find) or ODYSSEY (harder to find as it does so well for the bucks and sounds great) gear.

A so, so sonic signature of an upstream component to the amp is less important if your are running out of power. Better sound upstream (preamp, for instance)that is clipping an amplifier downstream will still trash your tweeters.

For your described volume likes you need to shore-up the WATTS ASAP! Or, save for tweeters again, and again.

The ODYSSEY amps can be sent in for upgrades as you can afford a more refined sound as can McCormak's older series stuff (DNA-225 or DNA-500 or older). This is a great way to get some decent power in your system and STILL upgrade stuff later on. Either brand will last DECADES.
rower30
211 posts
 
The McCormack units get good praise because of their rigged design and up grade path. They sound "good" stock and can be bought for reasonable prices, then upgraded to suit by SMCAudio.

The basic design is very similar to ODYSSEY gear, no fancy parts inside...just good old analog amplifier design. No, not exactly the same, the DNA-225 I owned runs warmer (probably more CLASS A bias) than the KISMET mono amps (run cool as a cucumber) so they are not carbon copies, but the same amplifier component design. No IC’s, just good parts.

But, they are BOTH simpler design perfected over time with better and better sounding parts.

USED MacCormack gear is close to ODYSSEY in value (Stratos amplifier). The advantage ODYSSEY has, are the factory direct sales. You get more bang for your buck, where the McCoramck gear, which is typical distribution sales) is close if you buy used and let the original owner absorb the distribution mark-up.

You can also buy the ODYSSEY amplifier straight-out to your budget, as Klaus is very accommodating to your situation.

I've owned BOTH the McCormak gear (DNA-225 and MAP-1) and ODYSSEY gear and liked them both. I've actually got an RLD-1 I bought used, and am having SMCAudio do platinum upgrade on it as I write this. So I do practice what I preach. Doing the factory direct model with the RLD-1 upgrade on a used pre amp (even a ten year old one) gets a lot of bang for the buck with modern components. The box and circuit board are the only parts that aren't new! And, the ODYSSEY KISMET mono amps are great sounding, too, at affordable prices.
rower30
211 posts
 
From your description, I would at least DOUBLE the power you have now, no less. And bass is the BIG user of power, too. So crank it up much at all and "poof" there goes your new headroom. Each 3 dB increase in SPL(about what most say is "louder") needs about twice the average power.

You don't really have enough money to buy a DAC for sound quality and an amplifier to get you out of your sonic ditch. Get the AMP pronto before you have a tweeter bill to keep that new DAC even farther away from purchase.
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