Underwood HiFis LSA Warp One has gotten excellent reviews. On sale right now
Replacement for Carver Crimson 275 to drive Maggi .7’s
Currently I’m using a Bob Carver Crimson 275 Tube Amp that sounds fantastic but hear I reach it’s ceiling while driving a set of Magnepan .7’s, so I’m considering swapping out the amp.
I know, I’ve read all the forms and reviews, etc.,about it’s flaws and misrepresentation but it ran my prior triangle bookshelves just fine, but now that I have these Maggi’s I feel and hear I’m not hearing their full potential being the lack of power & head room I experience as I turn up the volume, hearing where I feel I’ve reached the amp’s max.
I realize the importance of a premium Preamp but, currently I’m using a Parasound ZPre3 Preamp that works for my needs and at this time have no plans on switching out, possibly in the future but not now, so please lets not have this discussion go in that direction.
My last few amps have been Ch-Fi tube amps & a Marantz SR5010AVR but hands down I really enjoy the warm sound of a Tube Amp…
So here’s my dilemma … I’m looking to replace the Crimson with a more powerful SS Power Amp that will power up the Maggie’s with as close to a tube sound as possible without breaking the bank, used or new and am looking for advice from other Maggie Owners who could help.
My budget, I know is small at $2k so on the new side I’ve thought about a Adcom 565Se or a Parasound (a few models to choose from),but not sure if any of these are going to give me the sound I’d like. I’m also considering, when it comes out that is, should be approximately end of May 2022, upping my budget just a few and going with the “new” Audio by Van Alstine Vision Set Power Amp, only issue is due to supply chain issues, they really don’t know when it’ll be available.
My listening is generally 80% vinyl at around 77 to 80+dB and the rest is split between BluRay, Streaming or TV running through the bypass in the Parasound ZPRE3. Do not base a recommendation on that 20% being I’m being pretty conservative on that percentage.
Anyway, I could use and would certainly consider some used recommendations as well as new, but keep in mind my budget limit.
Thanks for listening and look forward to your assistance.
13 responses Add your response
Hey guys, thank you for the suggestions so far. As for the Parasound A21 & 21+, totally on my radar, just the cost may be prohibitive, I’ve been looking for used of those models and haven’t come across any yet.
|
Whitefishpoint1175 Thanks for the reply, |
op https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/best-amp-for-a-maggy-1-7i ... just read this... it all applies to your query |
@atmasphere, are you implying that the Carver Crimson 275 only puts out 15 watts in real applications? If so please explain. I understand that the amp has come under fire recently for not meeting it's claimed power output and some possible build issues but I am still looking at one for my system as I have been down sizing and it checks a few things for my consideration. Just looking for your valued input. Enjoy the music |
If one was to purchase a Crimson 275 to drive speakers that are identified by the manufacturer as a 4 ohm load, should I be concerned that the 275 only has one set of taps that I assume to be 8 ohms? I have tried an integrated with these speakers and tried both 4 and 8 ohm taps, could not tell the difference in a short listen. Enjoy the music |
The amp weighs 19 pounds. It would be something of an output transformer miracle if the amp were to actually make the power claimed even if it were mono instead of stereo. I have a Harmon Kardon Citation 2 which is only rated at 60 Watts/channel. It weighs close to 3 times more. People have removed the covers and found transformers inside that are stamped '15 Watts'. So I'm going with Occam's Razor on this one. |
