Power Amp..opinions please

Timrhu,
I guess you are right. That is what I may have to ultimately do. And if I don't like the amps, then why do we have audiogon for? :-) I want to get some maple wood plinths for my Quads, but that is not the priority right now

Mechans,
You have provided your opinion about speaker sensitivity and power ratings which is perfectly valid. But it does not answer my question. And I did not mean to insinuate stupid response. I do not understand why you felt the urge to make a stupid reply - if you say so.
About power ratings - I have heard a pair of high end Krells drive a PSB Silver-i and the same Silver-i driven by a NAD integrated. The dynamics of the sound and the ease that I felt when listening to this speaker when driven by the Krells was something I always yearned. But the Krells or some other high end amps were never affordable - even now. So my search for a high power amp.
Krell is one of the options. I do not have many dealers nearby that I can go and look at. I believe more in forum members rather than editorial reviews and paid publications to make a decision when I don't have much options. That is how I ended up with the wonderful Promitheus.
I am sorry but I could not understand some of the sentences in your post - like - "Mono Pass and McIntosh you have thought of Wyred4sound amps cost 3 times the cost of your 35 lb floorstanding 6.5 inch mid/woofer Quads". The Quads are good enough for me and I intend to buy the amps from audiogon - "used". So I really am looking for a good deal and am willing to wait for one. I am also considering the Monarchy Audio's SE-100 MK2 Class A monos. The reviews are good on this amp and they have a good deal going on. Have you compared Class D to the regular A/AB amps? If so please post your opinion. And believe me, however much stupid you feel your response was - I don't think so. I am eagerly waiting for opinions. If not I would not have been sitting watching this thread - instead of playing some music this Friday night :-)

Thanks

Guido,
I have read that review before. You have done a very nice and in-depth review there. But the price tag is a marriage-breaker than deal-breaker. I can't think of spending that kind of money right now. I am sure the Bel Cantos are great..but sorry, not with that price tag. Yep I know, all good things come with a price tag. But good to know that Class D is not a bad option.

Jw94055,
I have decided to go ICE rather than Hypex, if at all I am going Class D.

Thanks for your opinions gentlemen.

Tholt,
How do the NuForce go with the Promitheus? What is the sensitivity of the NuForce? Is having a sensitivity of > 1V good or bad for Promitheus TVC?

Thanks

Mamboni,
I am glad that the Wyred 4Sound delivers the sound that you want. What other Class AB did you use earlier before you settled with Wyred? In my system I have never heard a stand alone power amp. So I can only "imagine" the "ultraclean, dead quiet phase distortion, zero audible distortion" when compared to my NAD. One thing that got me looking for a separate power amp was I need to set the volume control on TVC to position 12 (from 1-24 available) for a decent sound in my 12X14 listening room. Though I love the sound I think a more powerful amp can eleveate the sound to a higher level - I believe.

Tholt,
My Quads have sensitivity of 88dB and a nominal impedance of 6Ohms. So this seems to be a speaker with low sensitivity and I would need more power than what I currently have for better dynamics at lower volumes. I almost decided to buy the Marantz SM-11S1 on Audiogon that is available. But found that it's low sensitivity (2V) would not match my TVC and the input impedance was alo on lower side (22kOhms). I see the spec on Wyred site that the SX-1000 has an even lower sensitivity (> 2.5V) but the input impedance is high at >64kOhms. So I am looking for other amps as well - like the Parasound A21. The sensitivity of this amp is 1V and it has a high input impedance. Besides, it has a high power ratings and that would mean very good dynamics at lower volume. I also want to check on other SS amps with higher sensitivity and input impedance. I will have to rely on the published specs and experience of users on the forum.

Thanks,

Mamboni,
Thanks for your inputs. I like the warm sound of the NADs and I am looking for amps which will retain that character. To give you an example - when I was auditioning integrated amps 4 years back, I found the NAD to be warm while the Rotels were cold (not in a offensive way) and too forward for my taste. The Rotels had an "in the face" presentation while the NADs had a laid back presentation.
I was initially drawn to the power ratings of the Wyred4sound SX-1000, as the Quads like some more power than what they get now. But looks like it's input sensitivity is a bit high - greater than 2.5V which might prove to be a mismatch for my (passive preamp) TVC. What preamp do you have in your system?

Mamboni,
Your last statement is interesting. Do you mean the sensitivity of the amp shows how much volts a amp should get to output the full power? Or is it what is required to drive the amp comfortably? My CDP outputs 2V. So what does a TVC do with that and how many volts gets passed on to the power amp? I thought the TVC "gains" and passes on. Do you have any info on this?

Thanks,

Thanks guys. I was out for the long weekend and did not get time to go through the updates.

Mamboni,
Good to know that the W4S may sound good in my system. I found from the user manual that the Marantz outputs 2.2V.

Timrhu,
I am a bit worried that if the new amp is does not have the good characteristics of the NAD sound, then I will really have some (many) sleepless nights despite spending some $$$$. I see that you have updated your system pics with Quad 21L2. I really love the dynamic Quads. You will not believe it, but I have heard some Dynaudio, Triangles, Totems, Dalis, Paradigms, etc in their price range (and couple thousand $ more) and the Quads come out on tops for me.

Mechans,
That character of Class D is what is keeping me away from finalizing on a good Class D amp. I can get a demo Spectron Musician MK II - albeit at a bit higher budget - but I am still not decided.

Guidocorona,
Yes the Bel Cantos exceed my budget by quite some $$$$.

At this point I am seriously looking at the Parasound A21. Does any one know if this amp has been upgraded (internally)? I believe that this amp was meant for home theater rather than 2-channel. Any cmparisons of this amp against other highly regarded amp?

Thanks

Mechans,
I have repeated this in other threads - I am not a "devout tube hater". It is just that I don't want the problems of tunes like biasing, heating, matching, etc. Don't have too much time on hand for those issues. If I go tubes, I will loose whatsoever little time I am able to devote to this great hobby.