Amp choice for VA Mahlers

The D-200 is a great amp for driving the Mahlers. I have Mahlers being driven by the D-200 amp. My center channel is driven by my receiver. I have not invested in a center channel amp. Personally, I think matching amps for HT is over rated. Matching speakers is very important (at least the center with the L and R speakers, but as long as you have a HT preamp that can match volumes (my receiver even has equalization for speaker correction and room correction [oh the fun HT is, never would I put something like this in my 2 channel setup]).

KF

I also have the Mahlers and I am using a pair of Classe CAM 350 monoblocs. While expensive ($7000)they sound
great. They produce a wide deep soundstage, almost 3D at times. The entire musical frequency range is reproduced
very accurately and without any harshness. The best suprise
was how dynamic the 350's are. Both the micro and macro
dynamics just seem to come alive. It makes listening to
music and DVD soundtracks exciting but never tiresome. You
can listen to this combination for hours at a stretch and not get listener fatigue. The CAM 350 absolutely nails the bass. It takes some wattage to control those four Eaton 10" woofers (or subwoofers as V.A. calls them). If you like bass then you are in for a treat. It is very fast, tight and musical. On DVD soundtracks with lots of bass the effect is outstanding. It may even be enough for you to eliminate a subwoofer. There are several excellent power amps that work well with Mahlers, (Rowland, Edge, Theta, GAmut, Levinson, BAT) and each sounds a little different but all sound very good. But the Classe CAM 350's brought more life and excitement to my system than the others. By the way Quigly, what pre amp are you using?

I also have the Mahlers and use McIntosh SS and they sound fine with that softer sound, no harshness at all. 200 watts of McIntosh SS will drive them sufficiently for HT. Although my system is entirely 2 channel and watch movie's 2 channel with them.

Good to hear from everyone on what works. Tricky to do a cost benefit analysis here. I live in London where i am seeing a GAMUT D200 mk2 at a good price. CAM350 may be available in continental europe. Theta out there. I am inclined to get a pre /proc that is good w music, possibly classe SSP30 (reasonable price) and move existing Marantz gear to secondary duty in my kids room (everyone gets an upgrade). The gamut is easy to get a hold of and I can almost visualise liking it, the classe is a bit of a stretch financially but I know I can fill in the back channels with some of there less expensive 2 channels or even my existing ROskans. I originally was totally dedicated to 2 channel and wondering if the 5.1 new formats were even worthwhile but I must admit that ever since I have the Malher s , I can truly hear a difference. I am willing to beleive that you dont have to exactly match all of the amps, it seems that if you are starting from nothing you may as well . I have the rel strata III but never run it with the Mahlers in 2ch since overkill. Have it on very lightly even with movies. I appreciate all of the feedback. I will make a point to come back and tell you what happens next.

Go for the GamuT D200 mk2.

Spend extra $$$ on a nice AC cord.
I would suggest a Kimber Palladium PK10 if you can afford it o a BMI Shark or a VD Nite w/SOL.

These cords are not cheap, but will make your GamuT sound a lot better. The D-200 with a stock cord is good, but with one fo the above AC cords it can be freakin amazing.

KF