Looking for 200 watt Amp to drive Dynaudio Heritage speakers


Hi Everyone - 

BACKGROUND 


A few years ago, during Covid and after having worked for so many years without really treating myself to a sound system, I took the plunge and started purchasing audio equipment. Unfortunately, I was a terribly uninformed audio buyer and dove in with some purchases that were not terribly well considered. Oh well. 

So here we are today... I have a pair of Dynaudio Heritage Special speakers that I was considering selling.

The Dynaudio Heritage Special speakers require power to open up. Driven at 100 watts, they sound a little anemic and the treble dominates at lower levels. So they ended up in the closet for the last year with plans to sell them. In retrospect, the dealer I purchased them suggested a lower wattage amp than was advisable. 

For my primary system, I'm now running QLN Prestige Three speakers with a Conrad Johnson Classic 120 EL34 amp, LTA Microzotl preamp, Merason DAC1 and Innuos Zenith. The sound of this system is wonderful - ethereal, nuanced, great soundstage and imaging. Very relaxing combo. 

I'm thinking of cycling the Dynaudio into circulation for a few months a year to change things up. I'm looking for a 200 Watt Solid State Amp. But here's the thing, I'm getting older and lugging heavy things around - especially when stairs are part of the equation - is terribly unappealing. 50-55 pounds is pretty much my limit right now.  

I had some Pass Labs amps in for home demos and the thing was a back breaker. I think it was 80 pounds or so. My days of pseudo body building are over... so lugging that thing up and down stairs is something I NEVER want to do again. 

QUESTION FOR THE FORUM 

Can anyone suggest a reasonably priced solid state 200 watt SS amp - no more than 50-55 pounds - that I can use to enjoy these Dynaudio Heritage Speakers? Class AB or Class D, obviously. For weight considerations, I'm really open to a Class D amp, assuming it sounds good. 

Budget is $5K or under - new or used. 

In terms of what I'm looking for - and given my weight requirements - I'd say the primary thing I'm looking to avoid is overt brightness. Otherwise, I'm pretty open to what suggestions the forum might have. Thanks in advance! 
 

bluethinker

If still looking, amps I always wanted to try but never did are the Gato PWR-222 monoblocks - 250wpc.  They also offer a variety of integrated amplifiers from 150-250wpc.

Well over your budget but I use a Boulder 866 on my Heritage Specials.  The HS sees  400 watts @ 4ohms and it really drives them well.  You could sell your LTA & CJ to cover the cost of the Boulder.  It would work well on all three speakers and simplify things.

I have owned he HS since they were released. I have tried multiple amps with them. Hegel (up to H590), Anthem STR INT, PASS INT 25. Nothing, nothing compares to how my current setup sounds. The Naim NAP350 monoblocks (345W per channel @ 4 ohms) have transformed the HS into an incredible speaker that I have yet to find a match for at triple the price, and not for lack of trying. This pairing is incredible. A used pair of NAP350s can be had for a reasonable price. 

I've owned the HS since they were released. I have tried MANY amps with them, including the Hegel H590, H600, Anthem STR Integrated. Pass INT25. These speakers love power, but not just any power. Nothing, nothing I tried made them sing like my current setup. Pairing the HS with Naim NAP350 Monoblocks (345 W per channel at 4 ohms) has transformed them into a jaw dropping setup, the paring is incredible. I have yet to find a speaker that betters them at triple the price, and not for lack of trying. The Naim monoblocks can be picked up used for a reasonable price and are imho a bargain. 

The Schitt Wotan at $2k is a very good amp. It does need a very long time to break some top end hardness. In my setup that hardness is totally gone after 2 months of heavy play. It is in the same league as the CODA #8 which I owned. Much better than the Parasound A21+. Not as good as the CODA #16 that I still own.