2. amps-preamps
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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.

kerrybh
zlone
727 posts
 

@jc4659 Mind expanding on your comment that the Audionet amp was very different from the Coda amp? How? Which Coda amp? Thanks!

I have a Coda #8 amp, version 1. Up for sale if there is interest.

I recommend you read through this thread where @sfpeloton decided to go with the same Audionet amp.

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/pass-xa25-for-my-system

He might have some more comments to share. My comments from that thread below.

I had thought that I tried all combinations between my existing Pass/Coda and the new Audionet gear, but I realized that I may not have tried the Pass XP-12 in front of the Audionet AMP. The point is that I cannot completely separate my impressions of the AMP from those of the Pre G2, together they are fantastic. When I received the gear, I only introduced the Pre G2 into my system at first, in front of the Coda. I was so taken with that I never went back to the Pass. But then inserting the AMP in the system took things to a whole new level.

My speakers are KEF Reference 1’s and I had them fairly close together for a variety of reasons. After listening to the Audionet gear for awhile it became clear I was not hearing everything and I pushed them out to about eight feet apart, leaving just a foot of space from the side walls. The soundstage is out of this world, with clear placement and presentation of everything in the recording. You might say I am just listening to my gear, and not the music, and there is some truth there, however as noted previously, the overall presentation is natural, clear and detailed, but not overdone in any way. I am using a Merason Reuss DAC, which helps with the natural part.

I like my bass, but I am a low volume listener. My ears are overworked from many years of going to shows and listening louder than I should. The majority of my listening is now acoustic jazz, and my system is built to deliver full sound at low volumes. The bass with the Pre G2 in front of the Coda is very good. The bass with the Pre G2 in front of the AMP1 is a whole other thing. So well defined, but not unrealistically tight, with excellent bloom and decay. If you look at the specs of the AMP1, the damping factor is listed as: > 10,000 @ 100 Hz. That is a pretty extreme number, but it sort of feels like it when you listen. It’s nice.

The AMP is single ended only connections, so I am in search of the ultimate RCA cable now and my fancy XLR’s sit on the shelf. And it does run a bit warmer than the Coda, but this time of year at the 45th parallel, that is okay.

I hope that helps.

 

rsf507
2,345 posts
 

@kerrybh you have some fine choices in amps. Most would be end gamers for sure but I’ll just say I’ve heard the Bricasti M28’s and was VERY impressed. That would be my end game amp. The M32 are most likely overkill for your speakers unless you listen in a cathedral or want to listen to jet engines at 105dB or greater 😉

dayglow
1,946 posts
 

@lloydc    Unless you have heard his system its very irresponsible to claim "minimal" improvements. An example of this was a SF Amati G5 paired with 2 Atoll AM 400/PR 400 and the results were disappointing at best. A McIntosh MA 12000 was substituted and the Amati came to life. My point is you can't minimize the importance of 1 component or cable change in a HEA system.

grislybutter
3,286 posts
 

I am curious of what an amp for 50K can do better than an amp for e.g., 5K. In a limited/smallish space. I always want to learn, even with my limited cognitive skills. I kind of understand why a Ferrari is 10 times the price of a Hyundai.

(And I am on the market for an amp for a fraction of 5K, any info is somewhat relevant)

steakster
1,912 posts
 

Hard to describe specific improvements I’m looking for, maybe wider soundstage and better imaging

Speaker placement and listening chair placement have much influence over soundstage and imaging. It can take weeks of trial & error - moving by inches to get it right. If you’re not satisfied with the dynamics, tone & timbre, that’s something else.

My modest system jumped a few levels when I converted over to a later generation of Synergistic Research cabling. It all began with this review.

Good luck! Enjoy the journey!

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