The best separates between $2500-3000. Moving on from the original Rogue Sphinx Intg..
I have decided NOT to upgrade the original Rogue Sphinx integrated amp to its new version. Therefore, I would humbly ask for recommendations for the best separates in the $2500-3000 range. I would prefer the same brand pre-amp and power amp, but will consider mixed brands.
My requirements are basic: at least 150-175 RMS; a simple "quality" remote with a mute switch and smoothly calibrated volume control. Pre-amp Out ( optional) feature;. A good headphone stage; A good to VG phono stage, BUT CAN forego in favor of a good phono box.. .
I DON'T WANT OR NEED: an onboard DAC for streaming audio files ; processor loops, or subwoofer inputs and outputs HT inputs and outputs; class D amp
Because of the plethora of new pre-amps with the features I don't want, I might consider older "quality" pre-amps without the bells and whistles. However, I AM NOT interested in so called "upgraded" vintage or refurbished" crap from 20-30 years ago. I recently got burned on a refurbished and marginally upgraded turntable. My mistake. Thank you for your advice
Jim, not familiar with that ARC, but many good user reviews. I'm sure it would have no trouble driving your speakers. But do some research if you plan on upgrading to Maggies.
BTW, keep checking US AudioMart for used gear. It's grown into a damn good site for affordable HiFi.
Nelson Pass 1st watt amplifier the new one F7 if you have s efficient loudspeakers these are 25-50 wpc pure class A every year is different. Sonic very hard to best even at 3x thd price Sonicly.
Loudspeakers without question 94 dB 4ohms , loaded Spatial Audio M-3 Hotrod with reference compression driver. Digital Schiit audio ,Multibit Gungnir , $1300,or their $2300 'flagship
To Lowrider. In reviewing reviews about the ARC150.2, I found out about the ARC 100.2 The reviews on it on the "audioreview" blog praise it to the sky as a "music lover's amp". There seems to be a very strong consensus about the excellence of this amp's sound quality So, I will investigate it and see if one is available either on AG or ebay. It is less power at 100RMS at 8 ohms, but doubles to 200RMS at 4 ohms. Let me know if you have heard this amp or know of its reputation
Jim, I haven't heard the Parasound A21. Just know some members were pleased with it. The amp that I'm impressed with and would love to hear is the Odyssey Stratos. A lot of members are talking about it and it's Class A/AB, stable to 2 ohms. Since these amps can be built to the customer's requirements, that's probably why the actual power of the amp is not specified. And Odyssey is related to the high-end German brand "Symphonic Line."
I'm going to toss out a recommendation for an older amp, that IMHO, is a giant killer. A refurbished Sunfire 300. It's high power, high current, and not solid-state sounding. The later generation is fully balanced; I made the mistake of buying one from 1998 and it's single-ended. But, it sounds terrific; wide and deep soundstaging and very musical. I see them going for about $1000.
I also thought the Khartago Plus was 130 watts. I had back surgery but have a friend to move my amp every few years - don't let the back hold you back - get what you want :)
To Lowrider. I think I have seen a few reviews of Parasound A-21 amp that were very strong about its performance. However, this company has never impressed me, and its expensive integrated amp looks like cucukoo clock with mutiiple features I don't need or want. However, I will check out a few reviews, and see there if any currently on AG. Have you ever auditioned the A-21??. Don't want a typical SS sound
BTW, check out my last response. Do you have any information or heard the Audio Research Company 150.2 amp. Neil Gader
of TAS reviewed it in 2008 and loved. But Jonathan Valin in the same review added his rejoiner, and said the amp sounded like a light weight, and lacked presence. John Crossett of Sound Stage reviewed the 150.2 in 2004 praised its neutrality, low end punch. and cool running and 300RMS at 4ohms; it is 150 RMS at the standard 8 ohms but cautioned it has to stay on 24/7 for best sound, I am not sure if it is tube or SS hybrid. Issued in 1993, it is 23 years old, but looks clean. Seller on ebay wants $1400, but despite it being an ARC amp, I believe it is worth $900-950 on the resale market because of its age. Thanks
jl35 Thank you again for your recommendations I believe you mentioned the Rowland Capri before; it which looks stunning but how does it sound??. The Odyssey Stratos is a viable alternative to the Khartago, but it is heavy and big, and I have a bad back.
I have seen a used ARC 150.2 amp on ebay which is 150RMS. It looks clean but was, according to the seller was issued in 1993 which means it is 23 years old. It got mixed reviews, some loved it; some claim it is garbage. Seller wants $1400, but that is too much. I believe its market value may be $950 regardless of it ARC pedigree. It is either a tube or hybrid amp, and the seller claimed he upgraded two tubes. I don't think he will back off much from his selling price
To rhljazz I am also am considering AVA,. I saw in the new issue of TAS, that Frank issued a new preamp, the Transcendence 8 ( retail is $899. However, his website is confusing because of all the options you can add, The pre-amp and power amp you mentioned, I saw and I will check out again because I thought that the phono stage and remote were extras which can add $600 to the final ticket.
In addition, despite AVA's reputation and service, they offer no discount. And I would like to stay under 3K. I could consider the SL Vision pre-amp with either the Khartago, or Stratos, or even the ARC, if I could buy it for say $950. The Stratos Plus is $1500. and Khartago Plus is $1375. However, I misstated before it was 130RMS, but it is only 110RMS. I want to find a combo that is a significant step up in sound quality from the Rogue Sphinx v.1 integrated BTW, I never heard any one on this blog make comment about the sound quality of AVA phono stages whether MM or MM/MC. The Rogue phono stage is a very good. Thanks guys. Jim
Audio by Van Alstine (avahifi) could be an option for new components. The Vision SL preamp with phono and remote is 1499.00 and the Synergy 300 amp is 150W per channel for another 1499.00 and it is rated down to 2 ohm load. No fancy casework but might be worth checking out.
@sunnyjim, Have you considered the Parasound A21 power amp? 250wpc/8 ohms and 400w/4 ohms. There's a lot of love for them and I've seen them come up for sale used.
I am concern that the Khartago's 130 RMS may not be enough power should I go with Maggie's .7 speakers. or even another box speaker. It is only 30 watts more than Rogue Sphinx integrated, and so about 3db more volume or head room. But, I am not looking for "more volume" as greater clarity and resolution, and musicality. Nevertheless, I have been looking for a pre-amp. I saw a review in this month TAS about Brown Audio Labs sp-1. pre-amp . Dick Olsher raved about its MM phonostage,, but the unit has no head phone feature, or phono stage.
Obviously I could go out and buy a quality phono box, but that is more wires. The IA has a MP3 input which does not sound as good according to Olsher as listening through the output stage. I have no use for that , and hate MP compressed music. It also has no remote or balance control. The pre-amp also has low noise and distortion specs. It sells $850. However, it is one man company which may not be around in 5 years.
I gather that in the current separates market, these features are luxuries, and supposedly increase production costs. I would easily have settled for the headphone feature and a good remote.
BTW, what pre-amp did you use with the Khartago Plus?? I have learned that impedance matching between pre-amp and power amp can make a difference in the sound quality, especially with mixed brand componnets Thanks for the info,.
The Plus sounds better than the original. Power increase is minimal. Not familiar with the mono block version, and there is a version above the Plus. I briefly replaced a Pass X250.5 with it, and the Khartago was quite impressive. I did like the Pass better though...
Thanks to all have responded so far; My reply to Lowrider indicated I would reply to the others separately in one reply context. However, it was lost according to Audiogon..... AG claims it was a glitch!!
To mensch; I saw the ad but don't know if I want to get back into mono blocks, even though it looks like a deal I previously owned the Red Dragon M-500's about 6 years ago Sounded edgy and bright after a while
To Jl35, I am familiar with the Khartago, and almost bought one a few years ago. Do you know if the Khartago Plus sounded better than original, or provides more power?? I know the original review in TAS was very positive, and Jon Valin bravely claimed that despite some gritty sound in the midrange, Khartago sounded similar to the $45,000 Soulution amp. . What rope was he smoking that day??
To Lowrider. I will probably keep the GET 7's for a while, until I give them a chance with better electronics. I have on and off considered the new Maggie.7
I would prefer to stick with all SS, but would be open to a tube pre and SS amp combo.
Thanks to those who have replied so far, I hope to provide a reply to each of your recommendations
Odyssey Khartago or Stratos for the amp, have not heard their preamps. I ran a Khartago Plus with a Rowland Capri with built in phono. I could only get about $1200 when I sold the Rowland, so the combo is within your budget and sounds great. I replaced it with a Belles Soloist 1 Integrated which sounds great too, but less power than you are asking for
If you are willing to go with a tube pre with a SS amp you might consider a Jolida Fusion all tube pre. I enjoy mine mated to a SS amp (BEL 1001MK5). The Jolida has output impedance of 600ohms, the BEL has input impedance of 22Kohms. Retail cost is $1350. One issue, it does not have a phonostage.
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