The $10,000 Question


I've upgraded my upstream components, and am in the hunt for a new amp and speakers.  There is a dizzying array of choices, and one could go bankrupt with the buy-try-return method.  I'm looking for some guidance on amp-speaker combinations, either used or new, in the $10,000 range for both.  If I can narrow the search down to two or three amp/speaker choices it would make the buy-try-return plan much more reasonable.

I prefer tubes and space is limited to an integrated amp.  My room is 15'x15', and and I primarily listen to classical music at modest volumes (which would allow conversation if my wife yells at me to turn it down).  I'm replacing 20+ year old Forest Totems and a Prima Luna Dialogue One amp.  My upstream components are a Cambridge CD transport with a Jolida Glass FX III DAC, and a refurbished Sota Star with a Jolida JD-9 phone stage.

Thanks in advance for your insight and guidance.

John Cotner

New Ulm, MN

 

   

jrcotner

One tube amp-speaker pairing that impressed me in your price range was the PrimaLuna Evo 300 with the Dynaudio Heritage. I don't recall whether they excell at classical music specifically though. 

One reviewers favorite amp pairing with Dynaudio was a tube pre amp with SS power amp. Because you need an integrated, Macintosh also may work, but I haven't heard that pairing. 

You might want to look at KEF towers. They are fabulous with classical, jazz, blues and efficient speakers.

classdstreamer, I use Dynaudio speakers with a Rogue (Sphinx) tube/SS combo and have been pleased with the sound for years now.

Thank you for the thoughtful advice.  I have a lot of research to do, not the least of which is finding some dealers.

I would purchase the speakers 1st. Then identify the best integrated amp to drive them.  Avoid hard to drive speakers.