Best Amp/Pre-amp Combo for 1500

i highly recommend electrocompaniet, if ewe insist on solid-state. check out the ec-3 or ec-4 integrated, or an ec-4.5 or ec-4.6 preamp w/an electrocompaniet amp - aw60/75/100. if ya buy used, it will be ~$1500.

personally, i'd recommend an electro amp w/a (melos) tube preamp - this combo works great for me. alternatively, i'd check out the pathos classic one integrated amp - a hybrid, w/solid-state amp & tubed preamp. retailing for ~$2k, i've seen it used for ~$1200. it has remote control & is drop-dead georgeous, if appearance means anything to ya... ;~)

good luck, doug s.

sean, not that i disagree w/what yure saying, but my recommendations stand *regardless* of what speakers are being used - unless they're some 96+ db-efficient horns or something. then, i'd recommend some low-powered 2a3 single-ended amps, but don't know enuff about 'em to make a brand-specific recommendation.... ;~)

regards, doug s.

to whoever gave me negative wotes on my last post - what's the problem? was i rude, or insulting to anyone? kinda ridiculous to give someone negative wotes for them yust expressing their opinions that may not jive w/yours, imho.

i've tried the above-mentioned electro/melos amp/pre w/thiel's, meret's, proac's, nht's, totem's - *always* a musical sound. sure, ewe can spend months (years?) seeking out that *special* synergy for your speakers for $1500, but hey - what's wrong w/yust getting someting decent & listening to the music? i agree w/sugarbrie - use these recommendations as a guide to help narrow your choice. ewe may disagree w/me - fine, but i'm sure it wood be more helpful to others, if, like sean, ewe told us *why*, instead of yust pinging me w/negative wotes.

regards, doug s.

hey, no money - *tanks*! ;~)

sean, as i said, i know ya dint ping me - ewe seem to have a brain! :>) and, no, like ewe, i don't worry about wotes before i post, it wood be too stifling. but, i *do* like to bring it up when it's not properly used, i.e., when someone is not being abusive or rude. if ya yust happen to disagree w/someone - state yer disagrements - negative woting does *not* aid in the discussion or gaining of knowledge.

doug s.

ps - sean, w/a *woting record* similar to yours (a bit higher w/the 1st #, a bit lower w/the 2nd), i too, believe a-gon's *recognition* claim is a scam. where's my prize?!? ;~)