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Suggestions for medium priced Power amp and Pre-Amp Combo's

I have a pair of very good Magna plane type speakers and would like to build a system to power them.  I have always wamted an amp/pre-amp set-up, probably tube, but that is where I want your help.  I love Jazz and want to hear the instruments.  I want clean sound.  But I would like to keep the combo under $2K if possible, but more importantly, reach that quality level that maximizes sound quality without getting ridiculous on price.  Like buying a low end BMW, still getting the performance, but not at huge cost.  My listening space is very bright acoustically.  Thank you!

dclthiker

Showing 2 responses by auxinput

auxinput
2,920 posts
 
You’re likely better off looking for a nice used integrated amp. I don’t think you will get as good with separate preamp/power scenarios. If you can stretch youre budget to $2398, I would recommend the Kinki Studio EX-M1. It’s quite powerful at 215 watts per channel and has extraordinary sound quality for the money. The internal op amps are socketed, so you can always upgrade the op amps in the future if you want increased sound quality.

There are a couple Hegels for under $2k, but they are somewhat low power. Hegel H95 on usaudiomart for $1750 but only 60 watts per channel. A Hegel H120 on ebay for auction starting at $1975 but only 75 watts per channel.

ADD: sorry, I didn't catch your "tube" requirement.
auxinput
2,920 posts
 
The Odyssey Audio amps are actually not warm at all.  They are very high resolution and fast responding.  The Odyssey Khartago base model at $995 would likely be a very excellent option (just keep in mind that it's a manual turn on and does not have a remote trigger input).

The Parasound amps are definitely voiced very slightly on the warm side.  Though I would describe the high frequencies as dry sounding as well as being softened/rolled off.

Schiit Freya is likely an excellent budget tube preamp suggestion.  If you did this, I would go with the Odyssey Khartago amp.  It sets you up for tube sound and you can try different tubes in the future for tuning your sonic signature.
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