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Octave v70se OR v80se

Hello Everyone!
I recently bought the amazing Dynaudio Contour 20 speakers and am about to purchase the Octave int amp. I have listened to the v70se but have also heard great things about the v80se model (have not heard v80se in person). So far this is the best integrated amp I have heard in this price range!

My question is should I get the v70se WITH a black box and call it a day OR just get the v80se? The price difference between v70se and v80se is pretty significant.

I have a 20x25 foot room and I listen to all kinds of music. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance!
danimaz
jafant
18,804 posts
 
PM sent- danimaz
Happy Listening!
zufan's avatar
zufan
557 posts
 
Octave makes supremely good amps. I had the 40 on loan for a few weeks with my KEF Ref One and it was the best I ever heard them. Heck the 40 is a beast and will dig your Dyns. 
inna
7,132 posts
 
I think, you will never know unless you try both in your room. They also have something called super black box, at least they used to have it. When it comes to cost difference, it becomes very subjective.
Top of the line models always get special attention, you may get better parts, tubes etc. Why not contact Octave and talk to them ? Maybe you'll get a better sense. There is a used Octave 70 SE for $5500 on Audiogon, by the way. With MC phono and black box.
danimaz OP
60 posts
 
Thanks inna.
Usually dealers don't have all the models to compare and that's the case here. The reason I don't want to talk to octave is I want to hear from customers to get their unbiased opinion. But u do have a point. It is subjective !
inna
7,132 posts
 
Yes, since dealers have to buy their demos, they'll buy 70 SE and say that 80 SE is even better. I might've simplified it a little, but it's hard to buy what you can't audition even when the models are close enough to each other. Anyway, $3500 is a significant amount except for the very few. Owners of the equipment will also have a bias, just a different one. And each entire system is often unique. I also like to watch interviews with chief designers of the brands on youtube, it might give me an insight of what they are up to.
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