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Help me choosing an Integrated Amp

Hello everyone,
long time reader, first post here.
Sorry if my english is not perfect, it’s not my mother language.

Long story:

I have an electrostatic headphone system right now, because I didn’t have the necessary space to have a dedicated room for speakers, I think that the most important aspect in sound quality is room acoustics, so why spend money if I can’t have optimum acoustics? That’s why I have a headphone system right now.
But, story changes, I bought a flat last week, and will do reforms to have a listening room (6 meters x 4 meters x 2,5 meters).
My current setup is (besides modded Stax SR-007A and KGSSHV Carbon CC amplifier):

- Metrum Pavane DAC
- Custom 0db PC, Asus RT-AC88U router & MCRU linear PSU for router.
- Full Ansuz X Cable loom and Mainz X-TC.
- Furutech FWS (R) Schuko Outlet.
- Sonore MicroRendu & Sonore Signature PSU (with SR fuses)

My speakers will be Strauss Elektroakustik SE MOD 901, they’re not very well known but they’re awesome, transient response is lighting fast, almost like my Stax headphones, plus they’re super coherent, seamless. I fell in love with the speakers.
Room acoustics will be done by Strauss himself, so the last link is an integrated amplifier (for budget and price/performance reasons).
The speakers are not very sensitive, they’re rated at 85db and recommended power is 20 to 160w at 8ohm.

Due to budget reasons, I will try to buy second hand or ex-demo, so not possible to audition the amplifiers.
I don’t like tubes, for me, the ideal amp should be pure class A (if possible), dual mono, fully balanced with no negative feedback (if possible). Ideal "sound signature" would be balanced, very natural without glare, huge soundstage and details presented in a natural manner, I don’t like hyped top end, the speakers are VERY neutral and accurate, so they will expose negative qualities of the amp like a magnifying glass.
This is the list:

- Audio GD Master 10 (Class A/B, 250w at 8ohm)
- Gryphon Atilla (Class A/B, 100w at 8ohm)
- Accuphase E-600 (Class A, 30w at 8ohm)
- Pass Labs INT-30A (Class A, 30w at 8ohm)
- Electrocompaniet ECI 5 MK2 (Class A or A/B???, 120w at 8ohm)
- Ayre AX-5 Twenty (Class A/B, 125w at 8ohm)
- Constellation Inspiration Integrated 1.0 (Class A/B, 100w at 8ohm)

I like to listen music between 70-85db (not too loud) and the room will be 24 square meters, is a 30w pure class A amp enought for the speakers or should I buy a more powerful class A/B?
Which amp is better?


pitomazogordo

Showing 8 responses by mapman

mapman's avatar
mapman
21,835 posts
 
Class D is truly the latest and greatest amplifier technology.

If sound quality, size, cost, power and current delivery matter, and it appears they do with your speakers as is most often the case, I would strongly recommend giving it a try before feeling required to make a much larger investment.
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,835 posts
 

Have you ever heard a good Class D amplifier?


If not I’d recommend considering that as an option if you want top notch sound at any volume with those inefficient speakers. Rowland and Bel Canto make excellent Class D amps.

Or if low volume is all you need for certain kinds of music requiring less power to deliver the goods, then the lower watt Class A option is a good one.

There may be more powerful Class A amps that can match the output capability of a good Class D amp but total cost of ownership will be much higher with any Class A amp especially when power bills are factored in.

Just pointing out the options. All have advantages and disadvantages. No one approach has it all but I find Class D done well to offer the fewest compromises overall, if any practically these days really. Its where things are going.

I'd expect that with a lower watt option, Class A or otherwise, you will never know what your speakers are truly capable of, if that is something that matters to you.   Everyone is different when it comes to these things.

mapman's avatar
mapman
21,835 posts
 
Is it really a forgone conclusion? I’ve never heard Gryphon that I know of but have heard many great ones.

Sure tubes are best old technology. So it’s new technology versus old. The battle is on.

Anyhow in this thread OP indicated not interested in tubes.    Class D might be just what the doctor ordered so it's worth being aware of 
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,835 posts
 
Inna, may I ask how you know that?
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,835 posts
 

I was reading the review of the new SAE amp linked to in another thread here this morning.

The reviewer noted that matching this high performance amp to the right mates was key.

Some may take that as a less than favorable review. I do not. As time goes on I’m increasingly of the opinion that how the system is assembled end to end is always the key. There is a lot of great performing gear out there at various price points, but none of it can shine best alone.

Hifi is definitely a team sport!

mapman's avatar
mapman
21,835 posts
 
Inna, could be. One would hope one gets what they pay for. Not familiar with Gryphon so can’t say.   The Gryphon amp is definitely a looker though.   Probably out of my league. :^)

Junk? That’s pretty harsh. Still very expensive junk if so for sure.



mapman's avatar
mapman
21,835 posts
 
Inna do you think the aesthetics might influence your judgements of the sound? I know most will put up with more when beauty is a factor. Just wondering. I of course am impervious to such things. 😉
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,835 posts
 
inna if it sounds as good as it looks then that would suffice for me.   Though its so beautiful that I might find that distracting.  


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