Quandary


I’m really happy with my system. However when a technician, who is also a salesman, came to my house for a stereo repair he complimented my set but said it would sound a lot better if I switched out my Benchmark AHB2 amp (which I think is great) for a Pass 30 wpc class AB amp. He offered to let me hear that amp in my system so that I could decide for myself (at a fee of $300.) The only problem is he doesn’t  have the 30 watt amp in stock but would have to demo the Pass sound with 60 watt monoblocks. He assured  me that with my very efficient GoldenEar Triton 1 speakers the 30 watt amp will almost have the the same quality.

Do you think I can honestly judge how the smaller amp will actually sound? Or should I cancel the demonstration (and save$300?)

rvpiano

Showing 2 responses by oldaudiophile

@rvpiano OK, a little perspective.  Somebody wants to sell you something he doesn't have.  (Alarm bell number one.)  He says he's got a pair of monoblocks at twice the power of the stereo amp he doesn't have and is willing to set those up for you for 300 bucks, which would be credited toward the purchase price of the stereo amp he doesn't have.  (Alarm bell number two.)  Monoblocks at twice the power of a stereo amp from the same manufacturer are very likely going to sound, at least different, and probably better, smoother or more sophisticated than a stereo amp at half the power.  (Alarm bell number three.)  Is this guy's name Trump, by any chance?

Sounds, to me, like you've got the upgrade itch!

Why not tell this guy to get the amp he says he wants to sell you and let you know when he can come by and set that up for an in-home demo, AND FOR A LOT LESS THAN 300 BUCKS!  REALLY!  How much time does it take to swap out two stereo amps?  Whatever in-home demo customer service charge the two of you might agree on should, of course, be credited toward the purchase price of this amp he's so sure you'll like better than yours.  Also, you should insist on at least a couple weeks for this in-home demo time or whatever gives you a good 20 or 30 hours of serious seat-time time with this new amp.  The "deal" he's pitching to you now sounds, to me, like he's really trying to sell you those monoblocks which, I'll bet, are used or demo equipment.

Let conscious be your guide and good luck!

@rvpiano If I had the system you have now and the upgrade itch with 7 or 8 grand burning a hole in my pocket, I'd go out and spend some serious seat-time with a McIntosh MC152 or the MC312.  My guess is the MC152's 150 watts with its autoformer technology would be more than enough power for your Triton 1 and you'd save a couple grand in the process.  The MC312 would be a consideration if you ever planned on upgrading to speakers with less than an 8-ohm nominal load in the future.  One caveat, however.  Your Triton are designed with AMT tweeters.  In my experience, speakers like that sound best when there is a healthy amount of open or empty space behind the listening position or sweet spot, so to speak.  An audiophile friend and I have done serious seat-time with the Triton 2 and the Martin Logon Motion 60XTi and found that a listening position without a good amount of empty spade behind it (e.g.  6' or more - the more, the better - a couch or chair right up against a wall or bookcases or something like that would not be a good idea) leads to relatively intense listening fatigue and very quickly.  Professional reviewers have commented on this, as well.  The sound room or environment is often discounted or outright dismissed as one of, if not THE most, critical components of any sound system.

Good Luck!