Why would you want to spend $40-45K? I guess you belong to the 1% Class. There is nothing wrong with your Michi amp. It is competently designed. All competently-designed amps will sound alike. I recommend the Fosi V3 Monos with two 48 volt power supplies - 300+wpc@2ohms for $500. Your system is excellent! If you really desire a change in sound quality buy a different pair of speakers, say MBL omni’s.
New Amp Advice
I'm considering replacing my amp in what I hope will be the last major upgrade for a long while. My current system is Roon Nucleus, dcs Bartok, Octave Jubilee preamp, Michi S5 amp, Sonus Faber Il Cremonese speakers, Audioquest Niagra 3000 power conditioner, Nordost Heimdall 2 cables, Clearaudio DC performance TT with Ortofon Cadenza bronze cart, Simaudio 610 LP phono stage. Room has been treated and is approximately app. 21x30. About 80% streaming from Qobuz or Tidal-the rest vinyl.
I like the performance of my system and spend at least a few hours every night listening. Made the very wise decision a few years ago to replace all the time I spent watching cable news with music. Varied taste in music-jazz, blues, R&B, country, old time rock, no rap, electronic and very little classical.
Logically, the Michi is the weak link but I think it performs at a very high level for its price, is extremely well built, and has plenty of power. Hard to describe specific improvements I'm looking for, maybe wider soundstage and better imaging.
I prefer to buy new and prefer hybrid or SS-ambivalent about the tube sound and, honestly, intimidated by the potential maintenance issues-I'm old and inept. My budget is approximately up to 40-45k, maybe a bit more or less depending on how smitten I am, but obviously happy to spend less. Exploring possibilities but only willing to make the investment if it produces a significant improvement. I've heard a couple of Macs-prefer what I have now-and the new Simaudio North 761-I like Sim products but honestly couldn't hear a significant improvement in my system.
I know I need to audition potential replacements so just trying to get a reasonable list of candidates. So far, considering Accuphase A-300, Audionet Maxx (intrigued by the soon to be released Schrodinger) Boulder 1161 (probably should wait for the new 1162 or 1163), Burmester 216, Bricasti M32, T+A 3000HV, Constellation Revelation Series 2 and Dan D'Ag s250-its a long list I need to narrow. The Dan, Constellation, Boulder and T+A are available at dealers within an hour or two-the others I'd have to travel to hear. Looking for a relatively neutral sound, I suppose, but sometimes I think, to paraphrase what Justice Potter Stewart said about pornography, you know it (the sound) when you hear it. This will be my last shot for a long while, that's what my financial advisor says, so I need to hit the target.
A long intro, but trying to anticipate questions any of you might raise. Thanks in advance for your thoughts- I respect the enormous wealth of knowledge on this forum.
- ...
- 37 posts total
Your speakers are pretty sensitive compared to many out there at 92dB/watt. Unless you listen at very high levels, you don't need many watts. and most of the time, I bet youre listening to less than one watt. Once clear advantage of buying a smaller amp is less heat into the room. I'd be thinking 50ish wpc or less if you don't turn it up. Also, make sure you consider your new amp listening at low volumes. it is much easier to assess the quality by how it performs in the low volume. Turning it up makes everything sound better. Jerry |
@zlone Mind expanding on your comment that the Audionet amp was very different from the Coda amp? How? Which Coda amp? Thanks! |
I’m at the airport, where do you live, I just invited myself over. I never heard your amp or speakers, but my instinct is to change the speakers, not the amp. The Stereophile review of that amp https://www.stereophile.com/content/rotel-michi-s5-power-amplifier makes me want it, despite the fact that neither you nor I need anywhere near that much power, it’s too heavy to handle, and I have a rule about avoiding potential fan noise, and, I prefer tube sound and am willing to buy my own tube testers and put up with them. It’s a big room and a big budget, I would go for speakers with no ports, no side or rear output, properly aimed and angled to deliver maximum primary sound waves (improved imaging your stated goal), minimum floor, ceiling, side wall, rear wall reflections. I would love to hear these sealed boxes in your space Seller says Rosewood, but I believe they are simply a red stain on a more common wood. I owned and loved the JSE Model II’s, loved them, but missed my Vintage Horns/15" Woofer I inherited from my uncle. I still listen to them at my friend’s home, a big room like yours in a Firehouse he lives in. My speaker preference is directional horns, large woofer, efficient to avoid need for amps with cooling fans and to allow alternate use of tube preamp and tube amp(s). I understand hesitation to get into tubes, however, efficient speakers provides rather than precludes the option. Once you hear those Model II’s in your space, then I would strip the drivers, and have my woodworker cover them with a select veneer, make them look as gorgeous as they sound. I put some info about JSE Model II’s on this site https://www.audiogon.com/systems/11418
|
- 37 posts total