Mirage OM Series Speakers / Component Matching

I purchased a pair of OM-5 speakers, for 2 channel listening, about a year ago. That decision was influenced by four factors:

- My listening/living room is quit large (approximately 27’ x 33’ with a 14’ vaulted ceiling). OM-5s are up to the task and fill the room in an authoritative manner.
- OM-5s produce a warm and delicately refined sound. A sound which could not be matched by the other large speakers that were available for audition in the Jacksonville, FL area.
- OM-5s have an expansive (but rather diffuse) sweet spot which allows freedom of movement throughout the room.
- OM-5s have powered woofers with frequency and output level controls. The bass response can be tailored specifically to the room, listening level, and listener’s preference.

I’m driving these speakers with a vintage NAD 208 (250 w/ch – Mosfet) amp and a Cary SLP 50B tube preamp. Therein lies the problem …. the 208 must go!!! By no means am I bashing NAD. The 208 has some attractive sonic characteristics. It is very dynamic. Instruments such as piano, guitar, and violins have a sense of body and they bloom into the room. Higher frequencies are stunning. Bells, chimes, and triangles shimmer as they float through the air. Horns have a distinct and naturally reedy sound. However, the 208 is unable to adequately resolve midrange frequencies. The results are glazing, glare and a significant loss of detail in male vocals. This lack of midrange resolution, which was simply annoying in the past, is now almost unbearable. I’ve tried three difference speakers, two other preamps, various sources, and many, many cable/interconnect combinations. It’s time to step-up to a new amp.

I’d like to spend about $1,500 for the amp and, if necessary, an additional $500 for cables and interconnects. Suitable candidates appear to be the:

- Bryston 3BST
- Classe CA101
- Belles 150 Hot Rod
- McCormack DNA 125
- Music Fidelity A3CR.

Only the Bryston is available locally, so this field needs to be narrowed down to 2 or 3 models before arranging for in-home auditions. If you have any experience mating these amps with Mirage OM Series Speakers, I would appreciate your observations, insights, and recommendations.

A few points of reference might be helpful in establishing the desired performance objectives:

- I have heard the OM-5s power by the B&K ST2140/Reference 30 combination, in a Sound Advice listening room, with their cables. It was rather dull, flat, and lifeless. No magic here!!!
- I’ve also heard the Cary Rocket 88/SLP 50B combination. It was my first real taste of tube amps. The presence and immediacy were astounding. You could almost reach out and touch the solo vocalists. However, there was a considerable loss of inner detail and microdynamics. Subtle vocal inflections, the sound of fingers running across guitar strings, and other sonic queues were missing. It was just too smooth and liquid for my taste.

The “right” amp should be dynamic and detailed, with a clear and natural midrange. Some degree of euphoria (body, bloom, and presence) is desired (a little more than the NAD would be fine), but not to the point where the sound becomes lush.

The struggle to put together a listenable system is beginning to take a toll and it sure would be nice to hit a homerun on this one. Please … help me if you can.

Thanks