Ishkabibil said he was mistaken. I’m not changing my speakers. I love them.
Which stereo amp to try under $30k
Having just made several upgrades to my system, it's now time for the amp. Given the number of amps in the 15-30k range, I'm guessing many of you have experiences with them. To get started, I'll tell you my (1) my guidance (2) my current list of options (3) My current setup. Looking forward to getting more options on my list, as I'd like to pull the trigger in about 2 months and need to start listening.
My Guidance
- Under $30k
- I need to be able to hear the amp before purchase, preferably at a local shop (SF Bay Area)
- New or used ok
- Large sound stage
- Bass
- More Bass... all the bass
- Very much prefer stereo to fit in my rack. I have small children and not enough room for monos.
- Prefer not tubes (already have a tube line stage - too hot for small children and don't fit in rack)
- I'm ok with a colored sound. Prefer musicality and realism over "accuracy" or "neutrality"
- Needs an absolute minimum of 150W based on how loud I listen
- 15/20A or something I can plug into a regular wall outlet
My Current List of options
- Luxman M900u (current top of list)
- Ayre VX-R Twenty
- Pass Labs XA160.8 (doesn't meet all of my guidance)
- Boulder 2160 (a little above budget)
- Audio Research 160S (doesn't meet all of my guidance)
My Current Setup
- AMG Viella Turbo Turntable w/ Koetsu Onyx Platinum Cartridge
- Boulder 508 Phono Stage
- Mytek Manhattan II DAC (next upgrade after the amp - maybe a dCS Bartok?)
- Audio Research Reference 6 line stage
- McIntosh MC452 power amplifier
- B&W 802D3 speakers
- AudioQuest and Nordost cabling or a Symposium Osiris rack
What I listen to: Anything from the 60s on vinyl, some things from the 70s on vinyl. A lot of large orchestral and jazz, also a fair amount of pop, from any decade, on vinyl and digital. Thanks for reading my long post! I'll keep this thread updated with amps I hear. Lots of great shops in the area. My two favorites are The Analog Room in Campbell and Music Lovers Audio in Oakland and SF.
My Guidance
- Under $30k
- I need to be able to hear the amp before purchase, preferably at a local shop (SF Bay Area)
- New or used ok
- Large sound stage
- Bass
- More Bass... all the bass
- Very much prefer stereo to fit in my rack. I have small children and not enough room for monos.
- Prefer not tubes (already have a tube line stage - too hot for small children and don't fit in rack)
- I'm ok with a colored sound. Prefer musicality and realism over "accuracy" or "neutrality"
- Needs an absolute minimum of 150W based on how loud I listen
- 15/20A or something I can plug into a regular wall outlet
My Current List of options
- Luxman M900u (current top of list)
- Ayre VX-R Twenty
- Pass Labs XA160.8 (doesn't meet all of my guidance)
- Boulder 2160 (a little above budget)
- Audio Research 160S (doesn't meet all of my guidance)
My Current Setup
- AMG Viella Turbo Turntable w/ Koetsu Onyx Platinum Cartridge
- Boulder 508 Phono Stage
- Mytek Manhattan II DAC (next upgrade after the amp - maybe a dCS Bartok?)
- Audio Research Reference 6 line stage
- McIntosh MC452 power amplifier
- B&W 802D3 speakers
- AudioQuest and Nordost cabling or a Symposium Osiris rack
What I listen to: Anything from the 60s on vinyl, some things from the 70s on vinyl. A lot of large orchestral and jazz, also a fair amount of pop, from any decade, on vinyl and digital. Thanks for reading my long post! I'll keep this thread updated with amps I hear. Lots of great shops in the area. My two favorites are The Analog Room in Campbell and Music Lovers Audio in Oakland and SF.
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- 187 posts total
You might want to consider a Wells Audio Innamorata Signature it will meet all your guidelines particularly regarding musicality and realism. It's more than competitive with amps at the top of your range. Jeff Wells is a local guy in Campbell if you want to support local talent. I might be able to arrange a listen if interested. https://www.dagogo.com/wells-audio-innamorata-signature-stereo-amplifier-review/ |
Regarding the Innamorata II Level II, while my understanding is that it is certainly a very fine amplifier, and while the following may very well not be issues, I would suggest that if you speak with Jeff you ask him the following questions about these specs: 150 wpc at 8 ohms, 210 wpc at 4 ohms The questions: 1) Is the fact that the amp is only rated to provide 60 watts more into 4 ohms than into 8 ohms (210 watts vs. 150 watts, which is a difference of less than 1.5 db) a concern with your particular speakers? As George and I alluded to earlier the combination of impedance magnitude and impedance phase angle of your speakers probably represents an effective load of less than 2 ohms at certain bass frequencies. 2) No amplifier can provide 210 watts into each of two channels while consuming only 350 watts. And for that matter providing 300 watts (150 x 2 channels) while consuming 350 watts represents higher efficiency than can be expected of a non-class D amplifier (and I assume this amp is not class D). How can these numbers be reconciled? As I mentioned, these questions may or may not represent issues in your particular application, or in other applications, but IMO they are certainly reasonable questions I would recommend asking. Good luck. Regards, -- Al |
- 187 posts total