Looking for an Amp or Integrated Amp with a solid midrange presence


I bought a pair of Omega Dyna 10 2-way speakers (8 Ohms, 91db sensitivity) that paired beautifully with my old Harman Kardon Twin Powered 930 receiver (1972) and PM 665 vxi integrated, that I'd swap out as the urge hit.  Over the past 6 months both units have needed repairs and after investing a fair amount over the years I'm reluctant to get these worked on again. Would anyone care to recommend a good amp that would have that deep musical weight the HK's provided? I tried the Yamaha AS801 but it was much weaker than the 100WPC implied.  My listening room is 14' wide by 16" deep.  Used for movies and 2 channel stereo only , no home theater .  Budget maximum would be $1500 range.

I appreciate everyone's feedback.

chip7936

 OP

I coined the phrase "Yamawatts": some years ago after experiencing how weak kneed their stuff is.

Having owned many Yamaha amps including the 801, I suggest finding a used Rogue Cronus Magnum II. The Rogue is more mid-centric in a good way, and it sounds much more powerful than the 100 watt rating implies, especially when set to 4-ohm output. It’s a ballsy, dynamic sound but still retains enough detail to satisfy most listeners. It won’t let the very finest of details through (though no amp in this price range does) but it makes up for that in how it renders the midrange and bass textures. The downsides are the heat and some faint transformer hum. If you can forgive those factors, it is one of the best values in an integrated under $5K. 

BtW, the 801 is one of the least impressive Yamaha amps I have owned or auditioned. It didn’t sound weak per se, but it definitely homogenized everything it played and was a boring sound to put it simply. I much prefer my old A-S500. 
 

I coined the phrase "Yamawatts": some years ago after experiencing how weak kneed their stuff is.

Hmmm…Some of their newer MOSFET-based amps (A-S2200 etc.) can manage bass depth and control better than some $10K amps. So there’s that. 
 

Conversely, many of their AVRs do indeed sound “weak kneed” for their alleged power rating, and tend to produce a U-curve response lacking in mid-bass. 

 

I agree with the comment that Omega speakers need the right amp, and vice-versa.  Componenet matching as we all know matters.

FWIW, I have a pair of Omega monitors that sound rich and full with a whopping 4wpc SET (Erhard Ray).  So, you don't need lots of watts, just the right watts.