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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 1 response by larryh111

larryh111's avatar
larryh111
33 posts
 

I suggest you forget separates and consider the darTZeel CTH 8550 especially if you like the form factor of integrated design.  From inputs, including the world class phono stage to the outputs everything is designed to maximize purity and deliver rich music with full dynamics and  clarity.  I have churned a lot of equipment over the years and when I got the CTH 8550 I was amazed as it outperformed all the separates I'd tried including the AR reference 6 pre amp and 610T power amps, Pass Labs and so forth.  darTZeel is expensive but if you off load what you have and combine it with your budget the difference should be manageable.  The Sound Advocate did a great review including interviews with Harv Delétraz you will find interesting.  Good luck.  

 

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