Is my Amp OK?


I recently bought brand new speakers - Revel f208. Using them with Cary Audio DMS-500 DAC and Rotel RB-1590.

While I love the sound I am getting, and I am 100% sure the speakers and DAC are great, I feel that I can do better with the Amp. True? If so, what do I get to replace the Rotel RB-1590?
thyname

Showing 13 responses by thyname

Yep! that's exactly right. I don't know what I don't know. There are known unknowns and unknown unknowns :-)

While it sounds good, I wonder if there is anything I can make it sound better. The everlasting quest for holy grail!
Work on the room acoustics ( if you have not done so yet ).
Yes of course. Use REW also. But probably not enough. I would need to hire some professionals. 
“I think that quite possibly the quality of your speakers and that of your DAC might be of superior quality than your Rotel amplifier. Revel and Cary I believe are generally of a superior quality than Rotel audio products. So maybe an amplifier upgrade should be considered.”

that’s what I am thinking. But what do I upgrade to?


Any opinion on Cary Audio SA-200.2 power amp?

https://www.caryaudio.com/products/sa-200-2/

Would this be a step up compared to my Rotel RB-1590, or just a lateral move? My speakers are Revel f208 (just as a reminder). I am using the Cary DMS-500 DAC / Streamer on that setup.

Thanks!
@audioconnection  yes I have. The Parasound Halo P5. I felt it worked better without P5. It sounded like a veil was lifted when removing the Parasound. I just sold the P5 here 
I auditioned the Bryston 4B3, and I was not very impressed. I did not feel that it did much better than my Rotel RB-1590 to justify its double the price. Very similar sound signature. I was able to audition it with my speakers (Revel f208s).

Any opinions on PS Audio BHK 250?

I am also seriously considering the Cary SA-200.2, and was able to borrow one from a friend to try home for a week.
Time for an update on this: ended with a used Ayre V-5xe I bought locally. To me, it is the best bang for the buck, and matches my sound preferences.

As I am currently running my DAC - PS Audio DirectStream - directly to Amp, I would be looking to find a matching Ayre Preamp, the K-5xe MP to try it with. As these are discontinued, I will have to wait patiently for it.

@pjonall The Cary SA-200.2 although a good amp, it is a bit too polite for my tastes. Vs. Rotel RB-1590, different sound signatures, but I did not feel it was a huge improvement vs. the Rotel.