I don't have any first hand knowledge of them but I've heard that Simaudio is really good stuff. I'm looking at the Simaudio Moon 700i v2 for the amp in my new system.
Bryston, McCormack, SimAudio or Plinius?
Current system: Adcom GTP 500, Adcom GFA 535, Rotel RCD 971, Magnepan SMGa. All but the Rotel are now 12+ years old. Still sound very pleasing but we are now in the process of upgrading. Planning to purchase the Maggie 1.6QR. Our listening room is a 12x20 living room. Primarily 2-channel (classical, jazz, world mostly). Some movies with Toshiba 2109 DVD (no center, surrounds or sub). After much reading on internet, magazines, etc. and visits to a number of stores, we have narrowed our amp/preamp list to the following, which fairly outlines our budget, too. We would greatly appreciate your suggestions on system/cable/IC matching, a sub(?), or other recommendations, especially since A-Bing this equipment is virtually impossible. Thank you! AMPS: the new McCormack DNA 125 (or the 0.5+), Bryston 3Bst, Aragon 8002, SimAudio Celeste 4070se PreAMPS: the new McCormack RLD1 (or ALD1+), Bryston BP25mc, Audio Research LS8mkII, Sim Audio Celeste P5003. Integrated Amps: Bryston B60, Plinius 8150i, SimAudio Celeste I5080 Cable/IC: Nordost Blue Heaven, Nordost Super Flatline, Cardas, AudioQuest.