2. amps-preamps
  3. 182202-171283

need amp recommendations for more separation of instruments

I've noticed that if I play music that only has a few instruments playing at the same time it generally sounds great, but, if it's got a lot of instruments playing different parts at the same time it all mushes together and you can't hear the individual instruments clearly. My current rig is a NAD M10 and Focal Aria 948s. At a store, I heard 948s paired with a front end costing about $100,000 and that system did not have this problem, at least it not to my ears. That tells me that with really good electronics this problem can be greatly reduced and that the problem is more with my electronics than it is with my speakers. But $100k is out of my budget. My questions are:

  1. Are there some classes or types of amplification that are notably better at getting separation between instruments in complex music?

2.  Are there some brands that are notably better at getting separation between instruments in complex music?

3.   How much would I need to spend to get something that solves this specific problem notably better than my NAD M10?

4. How much would I need to spend to get something that's a really good solution, where I probably wouldn't notice the problem unless I went out of my way to listen for it? (I know, this differs between people, but I'm still interested in your opinion).

Thanks,

ahuvia

Showing 1 response by bellemusique

bellemusique's avatar
bellemusique
67 posts
 

Four years ago, after acquiring Atma Sphere M-60 amplifiers for my Quad 2912 speakers I have posted the following comment on audioreview site.

"After various solid state and tubes amplifiers (including all Quads, several Jadis and McIntosh etc) M60 amplification is a huge improvement in my system ! My overall impression is: everything sounds MUCH more realistic, there are MUCH more details, there’s no coloration of any kind, voices are so natural, every single sound can be perceived. You can actually mentally concentrate your attention on each instrument or just listen the whole scene in an organic way. In a sense, you can ”see” music both in microscopic details and as a whole picture at the same time. So, the first impression on listening OTL amplifiers is surprising. The sound is different compared to "classic" tube amplifiers, but it is also different compared to solid-state amplifiers. You may need a few minutes to adapt your ears to this new level of perception. M-60 MK 3 reunite the richness of details carracterristic for solid state amplification, and musicality characteristic for tube sound."

I still stand behind those words as M-60 provides exceptionnal instrument separation. Particularly on electrostatic speakers. Recently Atma Sphere has came up with Class D amplfier that sounds surprisingly simmilar to M-60.

So if anyone is looking for better instrument separation, a greater transparancy, more details... I highly recommend to test these exceptionnal Made in USA products. I’m french, we have many fine amplifiers here, but I still have to find any amplifier in any budget that sounds better.

Also, do not neglect the importance of better source. Room treatement may help a lot, but essentialy better electronics are critical for better sound, in my humble opinion. 

 

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