Thanks all for the recommendations.. gives me a good starting point!
Some Amplification Recommendations
Hello Audiogoners,
I am at the point in my neurosis where looking at the next upgrade points to amplification. I have about $2000 to spend on either new or used (but used will definitely yield better bang for the buck). I am looking at something that will play nice with my new-ish Blue Circle tube preamp (BC 21.1), but am not interested in tube amplification (SS only please). I really like what the tube preamp brings to the party but do not typically understand tube amplification or the musical values that tube diehards espouse as their audio palette. Here is what I think I value most and will be looking for from a new amp:(in order of priority)
Soundstage (height width depth) and precise placement of musicians within that stage
Detail detail detail
Punch and impact and grip.. It needs to rock when called upon and do so while controlling the bass well
Exceedingly low noise floor/ Black background
Tonal balance... Including ALL the treble
I have never been a fan of picking amps or components because of "the exceptional warmth and richness of its mid-range". This to me seems to be going after an amp that only sounds great with vocal focused music. If I had to say I would say that I lean towards an amp that is precise and can do those "high-fi tricks" , perhaps more towards the analytical side of things. I believe that precisely conveying all elements of the frequency spectrum is the only way to get to, what to me, sounds "musical".
Associated Equipment:
Speakers: Spatial Audio M3 Holograms, Several Green Mountain Audio models, Maggie MMG,
Preamps: NAD (entry level model don't remember the number), Blue Circle 21.1
Sources: Bluesound Node 2, Michele Gyrodec, TV
Cables: Anticable IC's and Speaker, DIY speaker, and Audio Magic speaker
Musical Likes: Funk, Funk, Funk, Jazz, Electronic, acoustic solo anything, classical (in that order)
Thanks in Advance!!
I am at the point in my neurosis where looking at the next upgrade points to amplification. I have about $2000 to spend on either new or used (but used will definitely yield better bang for the buck). I am looking at something that will play nice with my new-ish Blue Circle tube preamp (BC 21.1), but am not interested in tube amplification (SS only please). I really like what the tube preamp brings to the party but do not typically understand tube amplification or the musical values that tube diehards espouse as their audio palette. Here is what I think I value most and will be looking for from a new amp:(in order of priority)
Soundstage (height width depth) and precise placement of musicians within that stage
Detail detail detail
Punch and impact and grip.. It needs to rock when called upon and do so while controlling the bass well
Exceedingly low noise floor/ Black background
Tonal balance... Including ALL the treble
I have never been a fan of picking amps or components because of "the exceptional warmth and richness of its mid-range". This to me seems to be going after an amp that only sounds great with vocal focused music. If I had to say I would say that I lean towards an amp that is precise and can do those "high-fi tricks" , perhaps more towards the analytical side of things. I believe that precisely conveying all elements of the frequency spectrum is the only way to get to, what to me, sounds "musical".
Associated Equipment:
Speakers: Spatial Audio M3 Holograms, Several Green Mountain Audio models, Maggie MMG,
Preamps: NAD (entry level model don't remember the number), Blue Circle 21.1
Sources: Bluesound Node 2, Michele Gyrodec, TV
Cables: Anticable IC's and Speaker, DIY speaker, and Audio Magic speaker
Musical Likes: Funk, Funk, Funk, Jazz, Electronic, acoustic solo anything, classical (in that order)
Thanks in Advance!!