Honestly… a newer Audio Research amp. I added one piece of ARC equipment after another over the last twenty years and each addition added another level of magic. Their tube amps are simply stunning. If I were you I would look for a ReF 75 or Ref 75se… these are amazing… I now have REF 160s And have a pair or REF160m monoblocks on long term loan. These things are simply stunning.
NEED TO REPLACE OLD FAITHFUL- WHICH AMP. SHOUD I CHOOSE
27 Years ago I purchased a brand new Audio Research D400 Mk.2 Amplifier. 200 Watts per channel solid state. Last weekend the capacitors blew out. I talked to Greg at Audio Research and he told me they do not work on this model because of it's age and that parts are no longer available. I need to buy a new amp. I have an Audio Research Ref. 5 SE pre amp and use Dali Helicon 800 mk. 2 speakers that are 89.5 efficiency.
The list of amplifiers that I am considering are as follows.
Coda 16, McIntosh MC462, Aesthetix Atlas Stereo,
On the tube side I am considering,
Zesto Audio Bia120, VTL S120, Ayon Triton Evo Mono's and maybe Audio Research Reference 160S but that really stretches the budget.
Does anyone have any of these amps? I would really appreciate your suggestions. So far I kind of like the Coda 16