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Amplification Recommendations Please

Happy New Year 'Goners!
I am asking for your assistance. I am looking for 2-channel amplification solutions in the $1000 to $1500 range, and would like to move to at least a tube preamplification stage, if not full tube set-up. I listen mostly to Rock and Jazz, with a sprinkling of everything else, and love the clarity of the cymbals and bells, and HF overtones best of all. (Think Pat Metheny, Miles, Beethoven Symphonies, and Stone Temple Pilots) A remote control and HT pass-thru would be nice, but transparency, clarity, and presence is tantamount!

Core components:
- Solution Must Replace: HK PM665 Integrated, 120W@8
- Speakers: Infinity Intermezzo 4.1t's (ea w/850W sub amp built-in) Recommended power: 25-500W per specs...I love these speakers, as they are incredibly flat and detailed, and I figure I need at least 50 Watts, although I rarely crank it beyond a medium volume level.
- CD: Rotel RCD 1072
- TT: HK T-60 w/various cartridges both MM and MC
(Also have tape deck & DVD, but not for critical listening)

I am torn between an integrated and seperates:
-Jolida 502B Hot Rodded by Versastarr (~$1400) No remote
-Primaluna Prologue 2 from Upscale (~$1400) No Remote
-VTL IT-85 (Used~$1500) w/Remote
OR
Seperate Preamp, Power amp & interconnects:
-Transcendent Grounded Grid (~$800) No Remote Cntl
-Audio Experience/YS Audio Symphonies Plus (~$750) No Remote Cntl
-TAD-150 (~750) Remote, HT Pass-thru
-VTL 2.5 (~$1000) Remote, HT pass-thru
Any of these would then be coupled with a reasonable priced (most likely used) power amp - most likely a solid state:
Bryston 2B or 3b, Musical Fidelity A3.2cr, PS Audio HCA-2... (wish I could afford a Krell 250A or SimAudio Moon W5)
Please, What are YOUR recommendations ?

My Sincere Thanks,
Rick.
razaroff

Showing 3 responses by razaroff

razaroff OP
8 posts
 
Sensitivity (2.83V @ 1m): 87dB
Impedance: 6 ohms
Per the Manual, the built-in 850W amp powers the 12" sub. and the lower crossover frequency is at 80Hz with a roll-off of 24db/octave. I'm guessing the remaining 3-way array which includes a 6" woofer could be viewed effectively as a 6 ohm 3-way speaker that has the bottom deliberately rolled off nothing past 65-70Hz...?
Thanks, Rick.
razaroff OP
8 posts
 
Thanks for the great input so far - keep it coming, I'm loving it!

I have looked into the McCormack DNA amps, and am interested in knowing if it is actually worth it to buy a used one and then pay as much or more than the purchase price to have it upgraded. Do new models such as the current DNA-125 come with the upgraded parts, or are they at additional cost? Again, Thanks to all for the input.

A total $1500 +/- budget suggests that I'm looking to spend maybe $800 to $1000 on the power amp... More than $2000 total for amp, pre, and interconnects is out of the question.
razaroff OP
8 posts
 
Hello Hi-end2! Looking at Audiogon listings, a pair of 120 mono's would run over 2K alone, and even if I go with the Transcendent, TAD-150 or Symphonies Plus pre, I'm way over budget...
What about the Rogue 88 or Magnum 88? Tube amp alternatives available used might also be Consonance M-100 w/Svetlana 6550's, or a Jolida 502B. What is your take on this?
- Rick.
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