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Amp upgrade for Revel M20 speakers

For the past several months, I've been slowly upgrading my two channel system. Prior to that, I hadn't touched it in over 20 years. For all those years, it was: Denon DCD1520 CD player, Nak SR4A receiver, Spica TC-50 speakers. Today, with latest upgrade of speakers to Revel M20s, the system comprises: Arcam DV-137 (transport for CD, SACD playback), PS Audio Digital Link 3 DAC, Audible Illusions L1 pre, B&K Ref 2220 amp driving the M20s.

I'm pretty happy with everything at this point. At least I think I can finally stop the hunt for the right speakers - at least for a while. BUT....I can't help but think I can do better with my amplification than the B&K. The B&K is very nice but I think the M20s deserve just a little bit better.

There are two aspects of the current system's performance that I am looking to improve with a change in amplification: 1) wider, deeper soundstage and 2) more dynamic transients (I believe the B&K is a bit sluggish though not bad at all)

I have two options that I'm considering and am looking for input from people having experience with the M20s (or very similar). The two options are: 1) change out the B&K for another power amp (budget would be about $800 for used amp), 2) swap out the AI pre and B&K amp for a high quality integrated (budget would be about $1,200 for used integrated).

As far as amps to replace the B&K only, I really am looking for suggestions for something that would mate well with both the AI pre and the M20s and provide a significant improvement in performance.

Integrateds that I've looked into include: Creek Destiny, Nait Naim 5i-2, and Simaudio i-1. Any opinions on these or others in my price range that would give me the performance enhancements I'm looking for would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

Jon
jblack16

Showing 2 responses by ejlif

ejlif's avatar
ejlif
1,366 posts
 
I have the Revel M20s and have also used them with the Creek Destiny and Sim audio i5.3. Both are great. I was using the M20s in a medium sized bedroom. The Destiny I think produced the sound I like the best just got it right no real fireworks to speak of just good music and got the foot tapping so to speak. The Simaudio i5.3 seemed to be more lively and transparent with a tighter snappier bass, seems better but for whatever reason my mind seemed to stray from the music a bit more with this amp. It seemed more powerful with the M20s even though it had a lower power rating. I managed a few times to shut down the Creek Destiny when playing the M20s fairly loud (it has a thermal protection circuit) I can imagine it might be a problem in a larger room. I really love the Destiny it's great amp and just gets it right. The M20s are super speakers especially on the used market. What you get for their price is a lot of speaker at such a low price. I wonder myself what a higher powered amp like a Krell or Musical Fidelity integrated might sound like with the M20s. I've always wondered about the Naim Nait 5i also could be a risk worth taking as well. Integrated amps are the way to go in this price range, you are thinking along the right lines.
ejlif's avatar
ejlif
1,366 posts
 
The destiny had great bass with the M20s just a little looser than the sim. I would have to play it loud I mean not ear splitting but loud anything louder and you'd have to shout to hear someone talking over the music. The destiny is a very magical amp that I think flies under the radar of hifi it sounds very good with most any speaker I've tried it with including dynaudio and Von schweikert. I've seem them sell as low as 1000 here on audiogon. That is a very big slice of hifi for that price and it gets you into the realm of what the expensive gear does. The sim is great too but costs a lot more and to my ear misses just a bit of the daily magic you get with the destiny. Side by side the sim is a little more spectacular but for long term enjoyment and value I think the destiny wins. I still have the destiny and have since sold the sim.
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