New/Used Amp recommendations for about $3k-$4k?

If you want to stick with Mono's check out the Kinki Studio EX-B7's for $3500 or for stereo amp the EX-M7 for $2600

https://www.kinki-studio.com/product-page/ex-b7

 Mono's are cool but there is a Krell Evo 402 that has me drooling for just over 4K.
KRELL EVO 402 REFERENCE AMPLIFIER ( MINT)! | Solid state | Audiogon

Stretch a few hundred dollars and grab a pair of Parasound Halo JC1 monoblocks.  If I understand correctly, they were on Stereophile's Class A rated amplifier list longer than any other amp.  With the newer JC1+ out for about a year, these are selling for about $4,500.  

Contact www.tweakaudio 


Ric has some amazing tweaks to class D amps that could make you very happy for a lot less than your budget

Maybe LSA's GaN amp being offered right now by Underwood HiFi would be of interest.

OP, dweller,

also here, Silver Finish Krell 402, says caps replaced

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisa1a86-krell-evolution-402-solid-state?creative=305983658573&...=

Perhaps these monoblocks.
https://avahifi.com/products/dva-m225-mono-block-solid-state-amplifier

I’m a bit confused, are you saying you want to get rid of the UPA-1’s after hearing the XPR-1’s? Or do you currently have the XPR-1 and looking for something else?
Also you didn’t mention what you are using as a pre amp but you may want to consider making an upgrade there first. Lack of detail and cleanliness as you put it could imply that your pre amp is stifling the performance. If the concern was more about bass & dynamics, then carry on with the power amp swap. Personally I’d first try a tube pre amp like the Schiit Freya to open things up before changing the amps.

Changing the power amp can also help with these things, but it may make less of a difference depending upon what you are using for the pre.

Yes after having the XPR-1’s in my system and going back to my UPA-1’s I want something else. 
I am using a Marantz 8805 preamp. 
I’m not interested in tube amps. 

Well there you go... a monster AV Preamp at the heart of your system and you aren’t satisfied w/ music performance. Let me guess, guitars could sound a bit meatier, brass a little brassier, vocals don’t have that holographic 3d realism, performer in the room with you type of thing. Maybe a few panes of glass could be in the way? If only there was a solution. Enjoy the SS amp merry-go-round.

todd1010 OP
I’m looking some new Paradigm Founder Series 100f speakers and would like to get rid of my Emotiva UPA-1 mono blocks for something else.

The 100F’s drop to 3ohms around 100hz, but!! are also -45 degrees phase angle there too, which means they could be as 1.5ohm EPDR load as seen by the amp.
https://www.soundstagenetwork.com/images/stories/loudspeakermeasurements/paradigm_founder_100f/imped...

https://www.soundstagenetwork.com/images/stories/loudspeakermeasurements/paradigm_founder_100f/elect...

If you want the very best out of them in that bass area, suggest an amp that won’t flinch at those kind of bass loadings.
My suggestion for your budget would be used John Curl’s Parasound Halo JC1 monoblocks. They can be switch to high bias sweet Class-A sound for serious listening. And low bias for other listening, rock or background.
https://www.stereophile.com/solidpoweramps/774/index.html

Cheers George

What I was digging about the 100f’s were the mid range/tweeter.

I'm very curious about those GAN amps mentioned above. 

I’m very curious about those GAN amps mentioned above.

Great if things stay above 3ohms, but your 100f’s don’t, they won’t bring the best out of that bass area like the JC1’s could. 

Cheers George

georgehifi

wow, that John Curl you linked is something.

two Krell 402's are for sale here. this one says new caps

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisa1a86-krell-evolution-402-solid-state?creative=305983658573&...=

any comparison advice Krell to Curl?

OP

you like that ’Form Factor'. Meaning?

What do you have room for?

Trying for something in a rack?

The stereo's will be fine with that loading of around 1.5ohm, but the bridged mono's will not.
As bridged amps only one advantage, "more watts" but all other parameters that make an amp great go backwards, especially stability and low impedance drive capability.
Cheers George

any comparison advice Krell to Curl?

Earlier D’Agostino designed Krells yes, later not so great.
Cheers George

What about the Parasound Halo A21+?

What about the Bryston 4B3?

You will like the A21, best buy in my book. 

What about the Parasound Halo A21+?

What about the Bryston 4B3?

I like John Curl’s design criteria and circuit topography over Bryston.
I would prefer 2 x used JC1’s over a new A21+ for similar money. Then if you can get a cheaper used A21+ for even less ??? but there’s no high Class-A bias switch like on the JC1’s and that’s a BIG + for me for serious listening.
They also have switchable input sensitivity from 50mV to 250mv perfect for unity gain active preamps or passives pre’s, like the Schiit Freya and Freya+ that have all basses covered passive, tube, or solid state.

Cheers George

Formerly owned the Bryston 4B3. Very respectable and versatile amp. Did a total system swap for my current BAT hardware including VK-255SE (best SS amp I ever owned). BAT VK for sale here at a negotiable $4500.

I wouldn’t suggest using a prepro with a good amp as it’ll just be a bottleneck to your overall system performance.  Just my $0.02.  Best of luck. 

no idea what improvement is possible over the emotiva’s you mentioned, as i have never heard them

in the price range (roughly) you mention, used, i would personally lean towards a hegel h20, or if less watts is needed, a pass or first watt amp

these are exceptionally good yet affordable solid state power amps

the benchmark amplifier is well known for its very clean detailed (if slightly lean) sound

I don’t think the monster preamp as mention above is a bottleneck because I’ve heard these speakers on the same preamp with the XPR-1 mono blocks and they sounded so sweet and detailed. 
I’m looking for an amp with as much detail as the XPR-1’s but don’t have the big form factor. I had to keep the XPR’s out on the floor on granite because they were monster sized amps and weight over 100lbs. 

My 8805 has a very nice 2 channel setup feature that allows for some nice 2 channel stereo listening. It’s not just a movie preamp. 
I have the same four sub woofers in each corner of my room for lost of bass. 

Alright people,  

I ended up getting the Parasound Halo A21+ in black. 

"I could-a had-a VK"...

Nice amp.  Congrats.  You still need to try a good 2-channel preamp — it’ll be a big improvement over your Marantz that may sound “nice,” but a lot of things sound ok until you hear something better and then it’s not so “nice” anymore.  I just think your speakers and new amp outclass your processor, but do as you will.  

You might try Primaluna Dialogue pre amp.

nothing shy of sweet!