2. amps-preamps
  3. 1410548274

Refined SS Stereo pwr amps under 10K?

I looking to upgrade from my ARC DS225. considering an Ayre VX-5, what other SS amps under 10k (list price) would provide me great harmonic detail, drive, strong tonal balance and hear deep into the music layers? Yup,I know I'm asking a lot.

The System: Bel Canto DAC3.5MKII with ref power supply and Ref USbB to Spdif converter,(3 separate chassis) via AudioQuest Diamond USB cable, Wireworld Platinum 7 XLR to ML326s Wireworld Platinum 7 XLR to Audio Research DS225, Audience AU24SE speaker cables to Magnepan 3.7i Wired with Synergistic research and Nordost power cords ran to custom power strip incorporating 3 Furutech GTX-D duplexs and one Defender conditioner to a VooDoo power cord to a wall outlet GTX-D
So where do I go to upgrade from the ARC DS225 amp?
Thanks
5560

Showing 2 responses by 5560

5560 OP
42 posts
 
For reasons too lengthy to describe, I cannot do monos, so I'm looking for a stereo amp. I've always read that Spectral amps require proprietary cables, odd input impedance matching such and they don't play well others so to speak.
5560 OP
42 posts
 
Several others I would appreciate a perspective comparison on are the Mark Levinson 532H, the Ayre VX-5 and Plinius SA-103 which are my top three contenders to replace my ARC DS225. I've heard the VX-5 compared to my DS225 and it's clearly better but these other two are nagging at me as unheard possible strong candidates. I live in an audio waste land and a 12 hour round trip to an audiostore doesn't really work for me. I'm pulling the trigger on one of these but, buying a third amp for comparison is painful. So, anyone out there compared any of these three amps?
More to discover