It would be most helpful in making more meaningful recommendations if you could share what specific improvements and sound characteristics you’re looking for.
Suggestions for power amps
Hi All
I am looking to try some different power amps in my system I have just added tge wonderful Fritz Carrera Be’s and feel like they will respond to whatever you feed them.Power is the Lsa Warp 1
Love my current sound but wonder if there is more there with a step up in amplifier quality Musical taste run gamut from Bach to Bruce
price range is 3K new or used
My system Wytech Jade 2.1 pre
Denafrips Pontus ll
Innous zen mi3
Amps ive been intrigued by
include LkV Power3
PS Audio XA-25
Legacy Powerbloc 2
Atmasphere class d mono’s
Benchmark ABH
Thank you for your input I have never posted before but have learned much from all of you.
As always there is probably no end to the number of steps up you could make. I would recommend thinking about going used and getting a main stream high end amp. You should be able to get something that was over $6K originally which in general will have better sound quality in most aspects. Companies to consider are Pass, MacIntosh, Luxman for solid state and Conrad Johnson, Audio Research and VAC for tubed. |
I drive my Fritz Carbon 7SE MKII with the Pass XA25 as well as with an Aric Audio Transcend PP tube amplifier. I get a wonderful soundstage, detail with a fine harmonic structure (non analytic), and quality bass in my 11 by 15' room with either amp. Not to say the amps sound the same, however both provide the aforementioned. |
Quicksilver Audio! See here Mike |
As a Carrera Be owner, from your list I would go for the Pass XA-25 with the Wytech Jade tube preamplifier. Should give you all the power you need along a much for life like presentation than the LSA. I've tried the Carrera's with a couple of different Class D amps and wasn't thrilled so I wouldn't really recommend trying a different one. Fritz's preference is for tubes with the Carrera's but tube amps may not be something you want to get into. |
If you can accommodate them, adding a couple subs may be the most cost effective and effective way to achieve what you’re looking for. A pair of SVS SB1000 Pro subs only cost about $1100, and they offer a generous 45-day risk free trial including shipping both ways so why not? But if that’s not feasible I’d look at this Pass Labs XA25 that should give you a lot of what you’re looking for… Just a couple ideas, and best of luck. |
I'm at an impass too... have Audio Note AN-e/sp, Aesthetix Calypso Sig paired with a Canary M-90 300b power amp. It's really very good but always wondering about amps. I'm all in on my pre & speakers and have enjoyed an all-tube setup (even DAC) for a long time now. Did really enjoy a Chord, SPM 600 in this same setup at one point but wondering who's had a kit anything like this and what they found to be a winning combo, and why. |
Ideally it would be best for recommendations to know if your power is supplied by coal, hydro, wind, or solar. The "greener" the better. Also, do you have any isolation devices under your equipment? Some amps respond differently to granite than they do marble or wood. What about air purifiers? HEPA is best because they remove the smallest particles that could affect the way the amps dissipate heat. A room full or non-treated air is chock full of things that make heat sinks work harder.
If you (generally) think any of that seems ridiculous, just imagine how you sound asking about the "sound characteristics" of an amp or interconnects or the other commonly heald but wrong beliefs. |
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Katzlar, +1 for the Aric Audio Transcend "Push Pull" amplifier. There is one right now on US Audio Mart that is 4 years old for $2,400 including free shipping. It also includes a set of El34 power tubes, a set of KT150 tubes, and various 6SN7 tubes.....just the tubes alone are worth $900. The KT150s would bring power up to 70+ WPC, the EL34s would be lower but more nuanced. If one were so inclined (and I would), you could use the free shipping to have it drop shipped to Aric.....and have him bring it up to the latest specs. I have one that I just purchased (latest spec), and it's a great great amp....so much so that I'm getting ready to sell my beloved Tubes4hifi VTA ST-120 tube amp that I've adored for the past 6 years. If I hadn't just purchased mine, I would absolutely buy it.....Aric's equipment doesn't seem to last very long on used sites. |
I have an ATI 6000, 2 channel AMP. Purchased from Sound Approach, I believe in Virginia. Outstanding AMP, IMO $3795 New 7 year warranty, Look up info,reviews, you will be impressed. Mine is paired with Fritz carbon SE Mk2 and is GREAT, complimented with a SVS SB3000 sub in a small room, about 13x14' I listen only to Rock and Roll, Pink Floyd, Zeppelin, Ps Great place to do business with too Service is everything to me. Robert TN ps Great DAC also, Meitner Be advised AMP weighs almost 100lbs. |
The Benchmark ABH is an excellent amplifier; I used it with my Fyne Audio F-702 speakers and got wonderful sound. I sought a bit more power, however, and am now using two mono bloc Odyssey Kismet power amplifiers, which put out about 200 watts each, and the sound is wonderful. Excellent imaging, great tonal qualities for the instruments, and dead silent background. |
@mike4597 You could have bought another Benchmark and ran them in monoblock mode and that would have given you over 300 watts per channel. |
In your price range, the Kinki Studio monoblock amps at $3700 have enormous power and recommended in a review as comparable to low $10Ks amps. Todd at Tekaudiospecialties.com is the U.S. distributor, does modifications to make them even better and is a very knowledgeable audio electrical engineer (many decades of computer work). I just purchased a SOTA CD transport from him (Jay's Audio cdt3 Mk3). I'm looking to purchase a 10X more expensive amp (Westminster Labs REI monoblocks). For the price, it could be what you are looking for. |
LSA Discovery GAN 350. A completely different animal than the Warp 1. Not even close. Tried the Warp 1. Did nothing for me. I have the LSA 350 (along with a numerous collection of other great amps), and it is up there. Keep in mind, it did not measure well at ASR, but the ears tell the truth. 3K at retail, Walter was often having sales, and I have seen them available from $1K to $1.5K 2nd, 3rd hand. Best, MrD. |