Musical Fidelity A1 I

A new M3si will drive the Triangles. Within your budget for a brand new unit. 

You found me! Thanks for the post. A new amp would definitely give me peace of mind, and I wouldn't have to worry about the A1 failing. If that is part of your intention, and I believe it is, then that's sound advice. I am about to research the M3si now. My speakers are very efficient 91 or 92 sensitivity. Would the M2si work? 15x20 room, and listen mostly at moderate volume. My main concern is tackling some of the brightness of the ESWs. Are the M2si and M3si pretty warm sounding amps? That is what attracted me to the A1.  Thank you Russ!!! I'm looking forward to pulling the trigger on a new amp. It just makes so much sense vs used. An amp I can keep for many years. 

I do not have a turntable and listen mostly to SACDs and CDs (some BD Audio). Do SACDs get read by a dac? If so, my OPPO 105 has a built in SABRE dac. The M3si has a dac and phone stage, but not the M2si. Same power output for both. I read that the SABRR dac in the 105 is easily improved upon with a quality external dac. I don't know if the M3si dac is any better than the Oppo. Am I getting inferior audio quality due to the quality of the OPPO dac since I listen to mostly SACD? (I am pretty confused as a beginning audio enthusiast😁). It sounds like the OPPO main strength may be its video quality? Right now, I have my system wired this way: Standard speaker wire from speakers to speaker terminals on Onkyo TX-SR706, and standard RCA cables from Onkyo preouts to AUDIO OUT on OPPO. That's it. Are those optimal connections for best sound? I may be limiting performance with wrong  connections? Better wires and interconnects were suggested, but I have read that would make little difference. I just assumed the Triangle's were bright and the amp was bright (not a good pairing). It isn't unbearable but harsh up top and probably lacks detail retrievable and dynamics that a better amp would provide. I AM impressed with the detail retrieval and midrange from them. The Onkyo is rated at 100 watts per channel, but I question how efficient those watts are verses a stereo amp. Questions, questions! I want to do this right the first time. And listen to the music I have so painstakingly acquired the last few years. I am practical and budget minded, yet I am willing to splurge for quality audio. Speakers are $2000 ($600 used like new, love the simplistic box design), Oppo 105 was $1000 used like new --- purchased last year, and the Onkyo was $400 used I think. So I have $2000 in it. I can see buying a good amp (maybe better dac?) if it will increase performance. And an amp should vs the Onkyo SS receiver. Thank you!!!! Looking forward to more sound advice on the amp model and my current connections, and clarification on SACDs going through a dac and the possible need for better dac to get the best sound. Now that I think about it...my Bluray movies sound more full and rich compared to my SACDs! Maybe it is the dac.

I have run my M3si with Triangles using Kimber PBJ and AQ Type 4 wires. I can recommend that. I also own the Onkyo integrated at 100wpc. The M3si is a much better amp. 
The Triangles have an extended top end and will sound best with quality recordings but they are also very satisfying with lessor quality recordings. 

Thanks Russ. The M2si is $1000 new vs M3si at $1500. Same watt amp minus the phono and dac. What advantage is there with the M3si? Would the dac better than the Oppo Sabre dac? Much appreciated! BTW what Triangle speakers do you have?

Good for you second guessing that particular used amp. It sounds like it’s had a hard life!  

Yes, there are a lot of uncertainties with a 35 yr unit. Ok my new thread in the amp section, russ69 has shared that he owns Triangle's. I feel his recommendations are sound. Just not sure if I need a better dac than my Oppo Sabre dac, to get better sound from my SACDs. Want to do it right the first time if I can. 

My mistake. It is in this thread that russ is helping me. I really appreciate both of you. There is a lot of technical information regarding this hobby compared to my other hobbies. I need to read more!

Please don’t mistake me for someone who knows stuff!   

Haha. You know more than I do! Trust me. 😁 

Thank you.

"...Thanks Russ. The M2si is $1000 new vs M3si at $1500. Same watt amp minus the phono and dac. What advantage is there with the M3si? Would the dac better than the Oppo Sabre dac? Much appreciated! BTW what Triangle speakers do you have?..."

The M3si is not the same as the M2si. I don’t use the phono or the DAC so I’m no help there. The M3si is my cheapest recommendation and I would prefer you to get the M5si, it will drive anything you throw at it. I had Triangle Celius 202s (a beautiful all veneer pair) and currently have Antal Esprits (Sam Tellig told me I would like them but the Celius were better). 

Careful.
I sent an MF 'The Preamp' back to MF to replace the noisy volume pot and it came back the same.  Many years ago.  I gave up and moved to Audio Research who build stuff properly.

I had a M2si here last summer,  I thought it was a sweet little integrated at that price. At the time I was looking for a relatively low powered solid state amp to replace tube amps for summer listening, looking for low heat output. I generally used it only as amp, bypassing with my Coincident Statement linestage powering Klipschorns. Also used it full function powering Merlin VSM-MM, about same 91-92db efficiency as your Triangles, no problem driving those.

I'd expect M2si to be sweet match with your Triangles.  To reiterate, I was very surprised by this integrated, I'm used to running $5-10k tube amps with my Klipschorns, I didn't feel deprived running M2si. Ultimately, I did sell to a guy running Maggies, very difficult load. I mentioned possible issues with this, and asked him to notify me if he had any difficulties. I assume he was ok, never heard back. He did mention he only listened at moderate volumes. I'd also add I modify much equipment, very impressed with build quality, especially at $1k price.

Good info. In one YouTube review, a gentleman said the M2si is tweeked toward the treble but itvis not a harsh treble. More designed to bring out detail in that range. I may give this amp a go.

Anyone know if SACDs sound good enough on an Oppo 105 SABRE dac. Im confused if they run through a dac o not and if I will need a stand alone dac to get the best sound from them. Seems like my bluray movies sound better than the SACDs and my SACDs are good recordings. Thank you all.