2. amps-preamps
  3. 166469-161155

Pure analog system with high power

Dear Hifi lovers, I introduce myself, I'm new to this forum. 
I need your marvellous experience in order to choose my next gear. I currently have a Rega Brio amp driving a pair of Wharfedale Evo 4.2 and I'm looking for a big step up, starting for now from the amp.
I am a vinyl lover, I basically play just lps. I also added a Rega Aria phono stage.
Now what I'm looking for is a kind of purist's solution, don't need to pay for dacs, or particolar digital inputs or functions. I want an integrated, or separated amp+pre is also well appreciated, capable of at least 150W in 8 ohm / 250W in 4 ohm as sooner or later I'll buy for sure some Magnepans, maybe the .7, or anyway some Harbeth's. My aim is to get the best money value for my purpouses, that's why I was mentioning a pure analogue solution. Anyway I accept also recommendations based on gears with dacs or digital inputs as that's the market now. Prefer new stuff but also used is fine. Budget is around 3.500/4.000 dollars. Thanks in advance to all people willing to share some knowledge and sorry if something wasn't clear, you can ask me any kind of questions!
adversam
mrklas
441 posts
 
I concur with hshifi regarding the 'right amp' requiring the appropriate current and wattage not just watts.

I heard a 80 watt ARC amp that was driving Sonus faber Olympica IIs and I was shocked at the punch and bass coming from a '80 watt' amp.  It certainly seemed to have the same punch and impact of my 300 watt amp at home.

Therefore, auditioning and/or home trials are critical.
jjss49's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
jjss49
6,612 posts
 
@adversam

willsenton is made in china too ... why would you consider?

otoh - odyssey is ’made’ in indiana, usa but using china made components, casing, wiring, transformer, is that better?

best wishes on your search, hope you find what pleases you...

😂😂😂
smrex13
645 posts
 
One word of caution in a vinyl only system - pay careful attention to the input sensitivity of the integrated amps that you are considering.  In my analog system, I tried several different integrated amps, and some of them sounded dull and lifeless (which contradicted reviews and owners' experiences).  At times it was baffling - I would sit there listening and think, "This is the amp people have been raving about?"  After some investigation, I discovered that integrated amps with a low input sensitivity did not work well in my system.  The lower output voltage of a phono stage (compared to digital sources) can't drive some integrated amps to full power.  It was a good (but needlessly expensive) learning experience.

Cheers,
Scott 
adversam OP
73 posts
 
@jjss49 Willsenton is a chinese product, Hegel is a norwegian company which moved to China part of the production and that's what i find a bit of a different concept, including the use of china made components which can actually have good quality... Anyway the Hegel was on my list and i'll test it because i'm very curious after hearing all the favorauble reviews... of course if i fall in love with the sound I ll go against my principles, even i still dislike their policies
adversam OP
73 posts
 
@smrex13 thanksfor the advice, maybe a good external phono would help? how did you solve this issue? still playing vinyls?
More to discover