2. amps-preamps
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Looking for advice, recommendations

I am looking to upgrade my amp.  Current amp is Primaluna Dialogue Premium Integrated.  My speakers are Acoustic Zen Crescendo Mk II.  

I am currently considering two possible upgrade paths:

1.)  Primaluna EVO 400 Integrated  (about $5.5K)

2.) Go separates with a 6SN7 based preamp (such as Sachs) + SS power amp, possibilities would be a GaN Class D, or Benchmark AHB2.  (This would be about $6K with a Peachtree or LSA GaN 350 or Benchmark , to as high as $8.5K with Atma-Sphere Class D amps.)

I think my Dialogue Integrated may be marginal for my speakers.  I am looking for more power, lower output impedance (better drive).  Sonically, I like the sound of tubes.  I want a three dimensional sound, with well defined space around each instrument and vocalist.  Looking for more detail, without harshness.  

Any advice, recommendations would be appreciated.

hifinut51

Showing 1 response by kennyc

kennyc
1,192 posts
 

There very few sonic “bargain” audio components, but the Odyssey Khartago and the Amped America AMP240 SS high power $5k SS amps. The Odyssey ozone of the amps Alon Wolf of cutting edge speaker top of the market designer Magico. The Amp American does everything well even at the frequency extremes

I’m  not familiar with tube preamps in Your price range , but Rogue Audio and Audio by Van Alstine are high value companies that consistently offer products that punch above their price points.

Another option is to have a SS or tube preamp and a tube type warmth sounding GaN Fet type amp like from AGD, Peachtree, Atma-Sphere. GaN amps seem to consistently receive many raving reviews. GaN Amos have the midrange tube warmth, but unlike tubes it is efficient like a SS amp, reacts a lot faster than tubes, and is usually more articulate dynamically and may have better definition (more controlled) in the bass.

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