2. amps-preamps
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Upgade... Amp choices???

After auditioning the B&W naut 805's with my system and hearing very little difference a discussion with my local dealer indicated that I need an external amp for my mains. Present system consist of Denon avr2800, Onkyo Integra dvd, and Polk bookshelf (can't remember no. but tweeter and 2 5.5inch mids) that sound very good for their age, Velodyne 10 inch sub. The biggest disappointment with the system is having to play at high spl in order to obtain feel for the music. Low levels everything looses focus and seems to blur. No soundstage and very flat. The search is on and I have found these amps that interest me but there is no dealer local for me to demo any of them.

ATI 1502 150wx2, Belles 150A 2x100 (?),McCormack DNA 0.5 100x2, Rotel RB 1080-2x200.

For the immediate time will be using the Denon pre outs to the amp but I will, in near future, be adding a pre amp and am leaning to Magnepan mmg's or aci saphire III le for speakers. Want to get an amp that will provide speaker flexibility and have the ability to maintain dynamics at lower volume. Price wise will be buying used and all of these fit within the budget(around $600-800). All suggestions appreciated.
Thanks
Steve
scoly

Showing 1 response by scoly

scoly OP
15 posts
 
Thanks to everyone. Looks like the McCormack .5 has a consensus. Must be everything the reviews say it is. P_mmk I agree it is strange not to have heard a difference and I should have been more specific. We were running both sets of the receiver and a/bing. Almost every time we heard a significant difference it was the Polk's that we thought sounded best. Seemed almost impossible to me because I love the look of the 805's and thought they sounded great in the store. I wanted the 805's to be the choice. Needless to say the employees and owner of the store were floored when I walked back in with them. They had told me that if I took them home they would never be back. Really wanted to ask them to come over and hear for themselves but already know what they would have said. As for the speakers yoou mention they are not available here. Small town with only two higher end stores. Paradigm, b&w, theil, phase technology is about the only choices locally. Will have to rely on reviews and kind responses from folks on the boards for speakers. Definitely want to take the next step but its one at a time for me.
Thanks again for the help and suggestions. If there are other amps I should consider feel free to mention.
Steve
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