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Bel Canto and Wyred monos

Hey all,

I've got a Mccormack DNA-125 driving my Martin Logan EM ESLs that I really love. Were it not for one big issue, I wouldn't even think about upgrading - and that issue is that it's really big. Like, too big for my rack, meaning it has to sit on top under my TV.

I decided recently to look for amps that were either standard component width or less, and two amps that keep popping up are the Wyred and Bel Canto monoblocks. Both would fit comfortably in my rack, and seem to be very well regarded.

My only concern is that I regard the McCormack so highly I'm concerned that these amps may not represent a significant upgrade in performance, despite the difference in price. I love it's almost tube-like warmth and musicality, and am a little concerned that with the Class D amps paired with my great but neutral speakers and my tonally similar Class D preamp (the underrated PS Audio GCP), things might get too clinical.

Has anyone compared either of these amps to any of the classic Mccormacks or similar AB amps?
hudsonhawk
hudsonhawk OP
137 posts
 
I'm also intrigued by the Job 225, though I'm concerned it won't have enough juice for the Martin Logan ESL's. Does anyone have any thoughts on the Jobs, vis-a-vis how they comapre to the Bel Cantos in particular?
unsound
7,315 posts
 
"...tube like warmth..."?
hudsonhawk OP
137 posts
 
Are you questioning me describing the Mccormack that way, or my use of the common and widely understood trope "tube-like" to describe a warm sounding transistor amp?

Or just derailing the honest attempt at soliciting feedback for the heck of it?
Ag insider logo xs@2x
drubin
3,267 posts
 
W4S just released new versions of their stereo amps. They charge a restocking fee for returns, but it might be worth a home trial anyway.
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,915 posts
 
From what I have read researching McCormack, I would not doubt that the McCormack amp might come across with more warmth, tube like or otherwise, than some.

For example Class D amps I use and have heard have some tube like traits in the midrange, but warmth is not one of them. Every SS amp I have owned prior to my current Class Ds were somewhat warm in comparison. My current Tube Audio Design Hibachi monoblocks I run in my other system at present concurrently as well.

They don't call it "Icepower" for no reason. More like a cool crisp winter's day than a warm summer evening. And that is not necessarily a bad thing. In fact it is is quite good, but just a tad different perhaps than most Class A/B SS amps I have heard.
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