Requesting opinions about 4 specific amplifiers


Greetings Audiogon community,

I am requesting your input about four specific amplifiers in a particular price range and how they may, or may not, pair well with my Dynaudio Confidence 20 stand mount speakers.

My room is 20' x 16' and does have wall absorption treatment. I do not listen at high levels, typically in the 75 to mid 85 db territory. 

I currently own a Luxman L-509X integrated amplifier, which is probably the best integrated amp I have owned to date. However I am wondering if there is a better amp match for my Dynaudio Confidence 20 speakers, and so am considering moving to separates. My budget for the amp alone is in the preowned $4K to $5K range.

Here are amps I am asking for your input about ;

-Simaudio Moon 860A V1 (Dynaudio dealers seem to endorse Simaudio)

-Pass Labs X150.8

-PS Audio BHK Signature 250 stereo (PS Audio has dropped the price on new amps in their closeout sale)

-Parasound JC 5

I realize there are many, many, amp manufacturers, and that of course if I reach a bit higher I could consider Ayre, or Aesthetix, or Coda, all of which interest me, but seem to stay outside of my budget. 

I wish I could side-by-side compare or demo all of these amps, but unfortunately it is not possible. I am looking to your experience to help in any way possible.

Thank you!

 

jpipes

Showing 2 responses by erik_squires

@jpipes - I wouldn’t say everything Ayre does is correct from an absolute measurement perspective. I’ve read detractors which I believe was centered around a relatively high damping factor or distortion. I’m not sure. I also don’t care... they sound really good. :)

From a purely personal and subjective point of view, Ayre and Pass make different aesthetic choices to the sound. I’m not about to debate it based on measurements, I just happen to like one a lot more than the other. I suspect others will also find themselves naturally preferring one to the other, and I’ve got no issue with that at all.

Keep the 509. It’s an excellent unit with an underrated preamp section. IMHO a very different choice than the Pass or Parasound. I just don’t like Pass, and Parasound tends to be too warm and laid back.

Of those you mention which I've heard, Ayre may be significantly different enough and good enough to be worth a switch to.

 

 

 

Consider your room acoustics.