Stereo power amp for $10k


Please help choosing a good stereo power amp to put between Marantz AV7702 and Morel Sopran speakers (4 ohm, sensitivity 91.5dB, nominal power 250W).
Main criteria: good audio quality, warm & deep sound, listening mostly to instrumental music and vocal in low-mid volume.
So far shortlisted to three options, all around $10k:
1) Pass Labs - either X150.8 or X250.8
2) Krell Duo 175 or 300
3) Burmester 956 mkII

Which one of the three would you recommend? Anything better with similar spec and in the same price range?
Thanks.
raraavis-duplicate-0

Showing 4 responses by bo1972

There is one thing you need to be aware of. I have done
thousend of tets in audio. In the past we connected many
poweramps to Marantz, Denon, Rotel, NAD, Cambridge, Arcam
receivers. But all these brands gave a 2 dimensional image
because the stage of a pre amp creates the new outcomming
stage. So connecting an amps which can create a deep and wide
stage only keep their stage when the pre amp is also capable
of giving a deep and wide stage.

Even when a Pass Labs can create a lot of dept and width,
cause of the Marantz the stage will be still 2 dimensional.

When your speakers are easy to drive even a 30.8 can drive
them. But the limitation of the set will be the Marantz.

This mistake is made by many people who have audio as a hobby.
The backside is that you cannot get the full potential out of
the Pass even when you still use the Marantz as a pre amp>
That are the right words; waste of money. This is a mistake many people make.

Still the most common mistake is that people spend a lot of money on speakers and a lot less on amp, source and cables. Many many people play at an even low level of the full potential of their speakers.

I use a mirror to make them understand their mistake. When you bring in a better amp, source and cables they are often stunned. This is how audio needs to demoed. People need to be aware what is missing!