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 1 response by nickt

You need to realize that putting a 10K amp on your processor is not only a mismatch but a waste of $. You won't be able to hear the improvement from the 10K amps: resolution, details, stage and macro/micro dynamics due to your Marantz preamp limitation. You can get say a $5K amp and spend the rest on a dedicated 2 channel preamp with HT bypass: JC-2, Ayre K5xe MP, etc... I had the Krell $8000 processor, known to be very good for 2 channel, and it sounds broken next to a $4000 dedicated 2 channel preamp.
My 20 years plus in this hobby has taught me that my system is only at its best when spending the most I can afford on a preamp.