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High end high quality int. amp for low level listening

Hello to all Audigon members.  I'm quite in a dilemma weather I should upgrade my amplifier. Currently I own Pathos classic one MK3 driving Sonus Faber Sonetto's speakers, and I must say I'm very happy with sound filling my 35 square meters room. However, it's known that the speakers are power hungry as they rated at 86db sensitivity and 4 ohm impedance and I think they will surely benefit from a bigger power supply. With all that being said I'm not sure if I will hear any improvement mostly because 90% of the time I listen at ~60dBs SPL. My budget is around 5k $ and these are the amplifiers I've been considering:  Hegel H390, Anthem STR, Cambridge Audio Edge A, McIntosh MA5300/MA252, Accuphase e280, Rotel Michi x3 or used Pass Labs INT 25, Mark Levinson 5805.

What do you think guys, will any of the amplifiers make ay difference at 60dB SPL ? 
celestial__sound
holmz's avatar
holmz
2,328 posts
 
At 60 db liwstening level , you are only using less than 20 watts ...if that.
He said:
It's known that the speakers are power hungry as they rated at 86db sensitivity and 4 ohm impedance 

So 1 W would make 86 dB. maybe they are 3 meters away so they drop to 76 dB and add in the second speaker and they are at 79dB.
That is still 10 dB higher than “somewhere in the 60 dB range”, so he is arguably using closer to 1/10W.So I am failing to see how sensitivity or [power is what the OP needs?


However this is a good point:
What you need is an integrated with loudness control, for low level listening and still get the punch. 

arcticdeth's avatar
arcticdeth
1,572 posts
 
4 Ohm and 86db. 
 Get an amp that is reliable and stable into a 4Ohm load, which has a solid power supply and will give you a good 300-400WPC into A 4 Ohm load. 
My opinion and experience. 
chorus
976 posts
 
I also listen at low levels. 55-65db. I use the Pass X25 INT with older
Tannoys rated 94 @ 4ohms. I have not heard your Pathos INT but it sounds very interesting. 
If I were you I might keep the Amp and shop for speakers that are higher
in Sensitivity at a higher ohm rating. Like some older Rogers LS 3/5As. 

Please post what you end up with and how you liked it.

celestial__sound OP
102 posts
 
This is Why Audigon is great place full of helpful audience. Thank you guys for all your feedback. It’s clear that replacing the amp will be just a side step and not a step forward. Different sound signature but not necessarily better. I guess i will invest in a better cabling and will upgrade my DAC considering that currently i own Pro-Ject DAC Box S2+. Denafrips Ares II or event Pontus comes first on my mind :)
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
6,195 posts
 
Something like that makes more sense. Those recommendations for a more sensitive speaker or a higher powered amp still have me scratchin’ my head!
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