Finding a Power Amplifier for Luxman C-900U


Hello our community, I think I might need your help to choose a Power amplifier for my system (Stereo or Mono Pow is Ok). Here is my system:

- Speaker: Magico A3 (Also in love with Sonus Faber Serafino or higher is Focal Scala)

- DAC: Mola Mola Tambaqui

- LP/Phono: Technics SP10 MkII / Audia Flight Phono

- Pre: Luxman C-900U

- Pow: At the moment, Pass Aleph 0s 

- Cable: All from Acrolink series 7N

For my taste of music: 

- Vocal (Opera, Capella, Acoustic,...); Blue; Jazz;

- Sometime instrument: String (Violin, Cello, Guitar, sometime Harp), than drum and piano;

- Sometime Orchestra

- Sometime (rare) with EDM or Rock (Just pop or slow rock, super rare heavy metal)

I really want to upgrade my Aleph 0s with some of the more modern and powerful Pow within $6000 (2nd hand is also a good option), I come up with some in my mind:
- Pass Labs XA60.5 (Roughly $5k in my country for used)

- Luxman M-800a or M-900u (I can find it $6k used imported from Japan, but I love some other combination other than M-900u)

- Parasound JC 1 (Old ver, not Plus)

- Electrocompaniet AW180, or better AW400

- Audionet Amp  

- Gato PWR 222

- Moon 860A V1 (or W8?), Trigon Monolog, Mark Levinson 431-532H, Bryston 4B3,...

Hope to receive your suggestion, I really love the Class-A design and don't mind the super hot chassis.

128x128darkknight8586

Nice system.  I had the A3s with the Luxman C900/M900 combo.  I had also tried these speakers with Primaluna monoblocks running 150 w/ch as well as a Rowland Continuum 2 (class D amplifier).  The Primaluna did not drive these speakers to my satisfaction, it was sort of limp, not a great transient response.  The Rowland was a bit boring, good detail but not great overall.  The Luxman was really good, but I never felt like I was getting the best out of the speakers.  I had a well damped room (probably too much so) that may have been part of the problem.  The highs of the Magico always seemed a bit muted.  My dealer recommended best amps for these speakers either Diavalet or Gryphon.  Depending on your room, you may want an amp with more Jump factor - like the Moon.  I would recommend contacting Mike at Sun Coast audio, they have a lot of experience with Luxman and Magico, explain what kind of sound you are looking for.  They are not my dealer but have always been helpful when I have asked for info.  Good luck!  

Have anyone try the Electrocompaniet AW180? I have a chance to purchase it around $4000

 

I would pair that luxman preamp with the luxman m900u amplifier. Magico speakers love power and sound somewhat warm, if not a bit dark. Luxman amp would be a good match.
If you want Pass amps, the X250.8 would do the trick. The Pass XA60.5 are Class A and are warm sounding which may be too much of a good thing with the already warm sounding Magico A3, but would be very nice with the Focals. Also, at that level I’d be pairing same brand preamp and amp(s).

Another good option for the A3 is the Simaudio Moon 760a. It also runs much cooler than the Pass amps. 

Decide what speakers you will be using before you make your power amp decision.