New Amp for Dynaudio Contour S 1.4 Speakers


I currently have an Ayre AX-7e driving a pair of Contour S 1.4's. Musical tastes are mostly acoustic (Punch Bros, Waybacks, Union Station, Ry Cooder) but I also listen to rock (Clapton, Knopfler, John Hiatt). All sources are digital (CD/SACD or HI-REZ 24/96) no analog. I will be temporarly using my Benchmark DAC 1 USB as my preamp and want to buy a power amp. At some point down the road I also plan to replace the Contours with Dyn C1's.

The amps I'm looking at and at some point in the last few months of research have convinced myself that I should buy are the Bryston 3BSST2, Ayre V-5xe, Channel Islands D200MKII, and the Modwright KWA 100 SE. I am also intrigued by Rogue's new hybrid tube/class D Hydra.

I would like a little more bass extension and grip than my AX-7e has, but most important to me is transparancy and reproducing the natural timbre of acoustic instruments. It would help if it also rocked when asked. I am 350 miles from the nearest audio dealer and it would take a week (that I don't have) to travel around and listen to these amps. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
allenjohns

Showing 1 response by extravaganza

I would like a little more bass extension and grip than my AX-7e has, but most important to me is transparancy and reproducing the natural timbre of acoustic instruments. It would help if it also rocked when asked.

well I have these speakers paired with Krell Kav500i (balanced inteconnects van damme adds clarity to voices and instruments) and sometimes switch to Technics se-a3000 su-c3000 combo.Both amps provide bass i wish.Technics add to music very expresive midrange and more clarity,but krell has wider soundstage.
I think Musical Fidelity kw series will do everything you wish.As for speakers they very good compared to c1,c1 more power demanding,has more bass weight,better imaging,smoother and more organic sound