2. amps-preamps
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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

Showing 4 responses by hudsonhawk

hudsonhawk OP
137 posts
 
Soix,

My buddy said the exact same thing. The thing is I really like my rack (a Sanus JVF65) and it also doubles as my plasma mount (as pictured here: http://www.sanus.com/en_US/products/furniture/jfv65/) so the switching cost would probably be pretty similar to switching amps.

Ecruz - thanks, that does help. Which BC integrated was it? I'm hoping that going "big" on wattage, which is easy to do from the Class D's, will prevent dynamics from being an issue. And I do most of my listening at low volumes and they seem like good candidates for that. But you're right, the Mccormack's are amazing amps for the money which makes it hard to switch.
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?
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?
hudsonhawk OP
137 posts
 
Thanks Jim, that's incredibly useful.

I'm currently deciding if I will stick with the separates route (in which case I'd most likely get the Wyred) or get an integrated like the Hegel H100.

Unsound, that's fair, though I will say I'm not the first person whose described the amp that way. Either way it's a great amp, and a bargain for the money. I just want to make sure I find a replacement that is its better and hopefully gives me the warmth and intimacy I prefer from a system (if this system didn't have to double as our TV system I would just get a tube amp).
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