2. amps-preamps
  3. 129862-97827

Need Amp Advice

Hey guys,

New member here but music lover for many years.
I am looking to upgrade my amps to get better sound quality and really need some help. I watch movies and listen to music daily. I would say in general, 70/30 (movies 70). I run a 5.1 setup and plan on upgrading to 7.1.4 in the future, but happy with 5.1 at the moment.
When I listen to music I only use the 802's (no sub and no multichannel music).

Currently, my setup is:

Speakers
Main speakers: B&W 802D (first Diamond)
Center: B&W HTM2D
Surrounds: Klipsch
Sub: Klipsch

Pre-amp
Marantz AV8802A

Amps
Emotiva XPA-1 monoblock x2 for the main speakers 
Emotiva XPA-3 Gen 3 for the center and surrounds

The sounds is good, it's actually more than good but I want it to be even better. I have been looking at many used amps (can not afford new ones) and wanted to ask for your opinion on the following that I have considered. I have not heard any of them with my speakers.

1. Classe CM-A600 monoblocks 
2. McIntosh MC501 monoblocks
3. I even looked at the Devialet 200 which was recommended by someone I know
4. Krell?

Do those amps make sense? Am I looking at a noticeable improvement over the Emotivas? I would love to hear from people who know and heard those amps, especially driving 802's.
I am of course open to any other suggestions as well.

Thank you in advance!

killergurt

Showing 3 responses by czarivey

czarivey
5,946 posts
 

McIntosh and B&W is known to be best match especially if you're willing to stretch at least $4k extra after you sell your Emotiva.

For theater, I value Sunfire TGA as the best performance per dollar spent.

czarivey
5,946 posts
 

@atmosphere

If I run B&W 802s with your M-60 reaching my normal SPL, overheat with tubes glowing bright burning red guaranteed within relatively short time with all possible aftermath on precious and pricey units.

I’m definitely not fan of using VW Rabbit 1.3L engine on Freightliners, but was able to tow several miles 25’ Bayliner Avanti cruiser with Volvo 740 wagon. Shortly after that 2.3L engine started showing thick and white/blue smoke and it figured that Bayliner was perhaps too heavy for it. Anyways 25yo Volvo 740 was not even worth fraction of Atmasphere M60 and was going to salvage yard so I did not care much...

So the finesse routine is cool small economic and fast VW Rabbit 1.3L engine and brute force powerhouse is 8.3L Cummins diesel engine... What would be better way to tow my Bayliner?

czarivey
5,946 posts
 

I might not be sure about M-60, but some years ago I tried to test serviced Bogen 35A on my Aerial 10T speakers and after 3 hours both channel tubes turned burning bright red color similar to the tip of steel needle above the stove gas burner.

Connected it to my lab speakers b&W c201 and played it for couple of days no issue.


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