Upgrade Time Again.... please help


OK it’s upgrade time once again. Sometime this year I will be upgrading my amps so the hunt begins. I have compiled a “short” list of amps and would like constructive feedback on what else I should consider or not consider. First my system: Front End CAL Delta (next upgrade after amps), dCS Purcell/Delius combo and two Golden Tube monoblocks (re-tubed with 6L6GC and NOS driver tubes) and B&W Nautilus 802 Speakers. I listen to mostly to Jazz, a little Rock and some Classical music. What I like about the Golden Tubes – great midrange, deep and wide soundstage with instruments precisely placed. What I don’t like – flabby bass and highs are not as airy and delicate as I would like. What I am looking for in the amp – great midrange (not syrupy or overly warm, but not dry either), extended deep very well controlled bass, and delicate extended highs that are not in the least bit bright or harsh. The amp needs to throw a wide and deep soundstage without giving up accuracy in instrument placement (no fuzz around the instruments). JA had this to say about the impedance of the Nautilus 801 in Stereophile - “(The impedance for the 801) drops to 3 ohms through the midrange and to 4 ohms in the high treble. In addition, a punishingly high capacitive phase angle in the midbass, coupled with a low magnitude, will demand a good, current-worthy amplifier.” My absolute max budget is 10K and I prefer to buy used but if need be I will by new. Here’s the list: Bryston 7BST Monoblocks, Plinius SA-250 Mk IV, (2) Plinius SA-100 Mk III, Jeff Rowland 8TIHC, Jeff Rowland 10TI, Jeff Rowland Model 12, Ayre V-1x, Mark Levinson 336, 335, 334, Lamm 2.1 Monoblocks, Lamm 1.1 Monoblocks, AR VT-200, (2) AR VT-100, and Wolcott Presence 220 Mono Blocks. I am looking for informed feedback from owners of these amps or people with a similar system. If I had to make a choice today I think I would go with Levinson, Lamm, or Rowland. Cheers – Dan.
dan2112
Check out Aloia. I recently replaced the Wolcotts with these. Are equal to the Lamm's and cost less than 4k. Better than plinius or the Bryston's. You'll have to see for yourself
Thanks Albert. I was hoping to hear from you. I know that you own the Wolcott amps with the Soundlabs but wasn't sure if you had settled on them yet. I have also talked to Henry at length about the Wolcott. He is very nice man and he has sent me all kinds of information. There is a dealer about two hours away from me in Sacramento and he also has Soundlabs - for which this amp seems to be the perfect match. I guess with Golden Tube stuff I am little gun shy about tubes - probably unjustifiably so. I have never heard the like of the Atma-Sphere MA 1 or the Wollcot so it is hard for me to imagine that a tube amp can perform at the extremes (high and low) with a difficult impedance load like the 802. I am willing to be enlightened though - after all I did buy two SE40's. :-)
The list you posted is quite diverse...I would recommend that you not consider the Plinius, as they are from the syrup family of amps. I have owned the Wolcotts and they are great but go back to the first issue of TAS from 2000 and read a very disturbing story concerning Hank Wolcott and the evolution of his amps. I would worry about tech. support and the fact that Wolcott is still a cottage business. Rowland makes great amps but I would agree with one of the other respondents that you stick with tubes. Check out the Balanced Audio Technology VK 75 stereo amp. Great price for an outstanding amp. Also by BAT, the VK 500 with BATPAK or the VK 1000 monos...all great amps with the attributes you desire.
Hi Snook, Yes I have looked at the Aloia. The technology looks interesting. Don't know if there are any dealers in the Bay Area, but I could not find a lot details about the inductive power supply technology. Being an EE I would like to a little research on it first. Call me a geek.
Mark Levinson 334 all the way. If you need more power go w/ the 335 or 336. I have only heard the 334 and 331. Jeff Rowland would also be a great choice. But from what you described you are looking for I would go w/ the ML. Good luck...