I'm not too sure why you question the price of my speakers. Is the A21 too much of a lightweight or is $6K on a different amp overkill? The $6K is the going price of the Bryston 4B cubed and that's about the max that I can do for something of quality that will last. As far as what mates well with the Focals, McIntosh is the brand that comes up most often. Again, that's serious cash (MC 302 is on my mind) unless I can find a good deal on used. I'll do some homework on Adcom.
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I live in a part of northern Michigan that's seen more than 4 feet of snow since Christmas Eve. I may be taking out my cabin fever on my stereo equipment. I just listened to some old vinyl (Steely Dan "Gaucho") and have to admit it didn't sound half bad. I still value any/all input from the folks on the forum. We all know that with enough money spent and enough experimentation, perfect sound is just around the next corner =)
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To Erik:
I'm getting a firsthand education on Focal as well. My 1028 BEs have seen warranty work twice in the past month (detached voice coil wires) and I owned a pair of Aria 936s that gave me trouble. Once I explained the problem to Focal, new drivers were sent free of charge which I installed myself. Very, very troubling for me, but I hate to let them go because I keep finding tweaks that bring out just a little more of what they
may be capable of. I've just been thinking that a different amp is the final missing link.
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The X250.8 has shown up for sale recently Audiogon. There were three different listings (all expired) and it was hard for me not to pull the proverbial trigger. I know the reputation of the amp, it's just tough for me to buy used (the only way I could afford it) and it produces so much heat (53 C is roughly 127 F degrees). Even during winter in N Michigan, that's roasting marshmallows over your amp while listening to some old Steely Dan. Decisions, decisions.
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Getting a lot of feedback that I greatly appreciate and pay attention to all of it. One problem: now I'm a bit paranoid about the durability of my speakers regardless of the direction I do or do not take with an amp. When I find that magical piece of music that is well mastered and suits my system, the speakers produce sound that's close to gold. I hate to part with them because my expectations are high, except durability. It would be great to find some one to do new caps, unfortunately the bears and coyotes in my area don't know how to solder.
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The speakers are only 9 months old. The warranty work (labor) I took care of myself once Focal freely supplied the parts. Now there's a hint that the internal circuitry could be inferior. If that is indeed the case they'll be shipped, but on a one way trip back to France. I wouldn't pay to replace an engine in a new car and I won't pay to correct what may be an inherent flaw in the speakers. Taking care of things myself is a different issue as long as it's within my ability. Again, I have high expectations for the sound that the Focals can produce when all of my component stars are in alignment, but I'm not married to them.
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I hadn't considered
Mark Levinson, but I will now. Since you're driving Revel speakers and you're pleased, it's worth my time to investigate.
Thank You!
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Another one to do some research on, this is great!
I could live with my A21, especially for the price, it just buries the upper mid and high detail from time to time. I have an old Emotiva XPA 2 Gen 1 that's not in the same league for overall SQ as the Parasound, but catches some of the detail that the A21 misses. What I most desire is an amp that catches what the A21 misses. I hope that makes sense.
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To oem-wheels:
I did some homework on the CA2200. I's now on my shortlist.
Thanks for the advice.
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mtrot,
I'm sure Texas is a really "cool" place (pun intended), but I don't envy you in the summer. Northern Michigan gets warm enough.
Anyways, with respect to the X250.8, Pass claims 53 C operating temp. That's 127 F degrees! I have adequate room size for decent sound reproduction, but lack enough size and ventilation for that much heat. Even my Parasound A21 noticeably pumps up the temp, but can live with that. The only reason I keep going back to considering the X250.8 is because it's arguably one of the finest SS two channel amps on the planet (maybe the best?). The price used is also at the max of what I can afford.
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mtrot,
I live a little farther north and west of Indian River. I live on a heavily wooded parcel and see absolutely no one unless I want to. Five times in the last year, I've had to run off bears. I guess you could call the way I live, "rural". I once lived in the Upper Peninsula and will probably move back. That is real country.
I really got off my amp topic, I'll stop. It's just nice to hear from somebody who appreciates something other than city life.
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I think that maybe I've turned this thread into an open forum on rural living.
Shubert, I'm old enough now to not get too worked up about what I know will eventually happen. It's my understanding that the songs that angels sing are much better in person than playing them through the amp I'm trying to find.
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Schubert,
Sounds like we've both seen and lived a bit more life than most folks would care to talk about. I find that magical amp that I'm looking, I'll fire it up and we can share a song, story, and a cold one. What do you say?
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I want to love the A21, I really do. It does a lot so well and then it does something stupid like burying detail that's been experienced with another amp. It's good to know somebody else knows what I'm talking about. I'd hate to think I'm going deaf along with being slightly crazy.
I've decided to wait a week or two before settling on exactly what to purchase. I'm getting some quality advice from personal experience about amps that people are sold on. I need time to do homework on everything that's been suggested (some stuff I've never heard of). This will probably be the last piece of equipment I ever buy and I want be confident in my decision.
If anybody else wants to chime in, I'd welcome insight on a few more amps. Your ears and experience with quality (or lack of) mean more than a pro review.
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sweetoldboy
I've been down the Yellow Brick Road of power cords and outlets (Cardas grade copper), decent preamp (Parasound JC 2 BP), etc. The most dramatic positive change happened when I went from a Rega tonearm to SME. That was like a lightning strike. My TT is atop a 3" thick solid maple platform with Sorbothane feet which in turn is set atop a Solid Tech stand. That aspect of the system is "tuned" as far as I'll take it along with most everything else except the amp.
This hobby is turning into buying/selling equipment instead of listening to music which is a path I didn't want to take. Until the spring thaw or a stock market crash, I'll probably be in search of the missing link amp. Then I'll call it a day.
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From what I have read many times, Focal with McIntosh is a marriage made in heaven. I've had an interest in the MC 302, but new is a little rich for my blood. Used prices I can deal with, there's simply not much to be found used. EBay has listed a few, I won't deal with that sight because I've found it too risky. Audiogon has shown nothing as of late, but I'll keep looking for a few weeks.
To vad58:
I wish I would have known you before I bought the A21. Your assessment is what I've lived with now for about a year. It was a definite upgrade from what I was using, but is "dull" (a good choice of words on your part) with far too much of what I listen to.
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vad58
You didn't offend me at all. When you used the word "dull", I thought it was the best possible word to describe my experience. I wish I would have thought of it first.
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