2. amps-preamps
  3. 130946-10748

New Class A/B under $6K, your recommendation?

Okay I'm tiring of my class D amps and have upgradeitis. I want to try a latest greatest Class A/B amp - I'm thinking Benchmark AHB2, or Son of Ampzilla, or?
 I can drive it with a Manley 300B pre, or a Wyred 4 Sound pre, or directly from my Benchmark DAC into big BG Radia 600 speakers that are rated up to 400 watts. They are line array types using BG planar magnetic drivers - intended for wall mounting, but after hearing them and speaking with a BG engineer, I built beautiful boxes for them according to specs and have been grinning ever since.
 I spoke with Rory from Benchmark and he suggested that 1 amp - even though rated at 100 watts per channel would suffice. I could always order a second and use them bridged and be at the upper end of my budget.
 Any thoughts on what else I should be looking at? I'm looking for: Imaging, space, neutral sound (not cold, not lush and warm) - I can color with my pre if I should so desire. Thanks for your input!!
24phun
24phun OP
56 posts
 
Thanks for the input! A used AHB2 is a rare bird, which I believe says volumes - and it has great - the best specifications. But as we here all know too well, specs don't always translate to great sound to any particular individual's ears.
 For tubes I have the Manley, and love what it (and 300b tubes) can do. But it's not quiet, so you're ruining that quality of the AHB2. It's also not balanced  (not a lot of 300B preamps are - like maybe one of them?) and I wonder what the AHB2 loses going to single ended?
 Someone recommended I consider the ATI 6002, I admit I know nothing about that company or their products. They make Theta according to their site if I'm seeing that correctly?
marktomaras
544 posts
 
2nd hand Audio Research Reference 110 would be on my radar... about $4500 - $5500.  Or if you get lucky, you may see a Reference 150 used for close to $6k.
vair68robert's avatar
vair68robert
597 posts
 
Try McCormack DNAS-750 mono blocks ,
I've seen used ones for $4,000.
I'm using the DNA-250 stereo and hope someday to upgrade 
to the &750s.
david_ten
5,480 posts
 
@24phun

I’ve been very happy with my Spread Spectrum Technologies Son of Ampzilla Mk2. I recently bought a Pass XA30.8 to ’replace’ it, but the SoA holds it own.

At your budget range, you can step up to the SST Ampzilla 2000 Mk2 used or very close to the upper end of your budget new. You should have a really good chunk of your budget left over should you go with the SoA used.

These amps are true ’sleepers’ in terms of performance and value. They are exceptionally well reviewed.

PM me if you’d like more specific details...and no, I’m not trying to unload the SoA...it’s a keeper. : )
Post removed 
More to discover