Recommendations for an Amp/Preamp combo excellent musically and very reliable
Hello, having often encountered major reliability problems with components that may be too sophisticated in their design and which have taken too many months to be repaired, I thank you for giving me your recommendations for an Amp/Preamp combo that is excellent musically and also solid as a rock. My speakers are Magnepan 3.7i with 2 Vandersteen subwoofers.. My room is 550ft2. I am looking for a holographic placement of voices and instruments, a 3D soundstage. I want a sound that gives me goosebumps. I do not want the bass to be sloppy. I am looking for a sound that is not tiring after a few hours of listening. My musical styles are very varied from classical music to jazz, pop, world music, rock, blues, rap, hip-hop...Budget is up to $15k and I could consider used equipment. Thank you.
"Coda Continuum No 8 V1 solid state amplifier....My preamp is a Linear Tube Audio MicroZOTL preamp level 2. The technology used in it equates to long tube life. The pairing of the two sound great together, imo." I have the same preamp. My room is much smaller, and a FirstWatt F8 does just fine. Musical and clear. Therefore, can second the recommendations for a Pass Labs amp with sufficient power for your speakers in your fairly large room. |
I only recommend gear that I have heard and year after year the Maggies sound spectacular at the AXPONA Audio Show. The 3.7i in particular sounded clear, dynamic and with a fantastic sound stage running the Rogue Audio DragoN mono blocks and RP-7 tube preamp. Rogue Audio and Magnepan are they typical match every year at AXPONA and never fail to blow away the listening audience. https://www.enjoythemusic.com/AXPONA_2023/Becker/Part10/page3.htm |
@yyzsantabarbara I think it's fair for you to say that you like the Wotan as well as the Coda No 8 in your system with your speakers, but I don't think you can definitively say that it's as good in any system. |
