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Power amp or integrated to go with Marantz 30n

I recently moved and had to sell off all my home theater gear.  The only items I kept are my beloved Marantz 30n SACD player and a pair Ascend Acoustics Sierra 2EX speakers.  Not being able to have a home theater in my smaller new place leads me back to my two-channel roots.  I mainly listen to classical, and detail and clarity are important to me, but also dynamics of an orchestra.  I love the way the Sierra 2EXs sound with vocals and strings, but they also pack a punch. They are a bit power hungry as well at 85db.

So speakers and a CD player, clearly there's a missing piece in the middle! But the fact that the 30n has variable outputs and can connect directly to a power amp muddies the waters a bit.

The obvious choice would be the Marantz Model 30 Integrated.  I've been curious to try the modern class D amps, and it would pair with the 30n aesthetically. Plus my wife is curious to get into vinyl, and its phone stage would give us an opening.

I'm wondering about power amps too, using the 30n variable out.  I've always loved Parasound, owning a five-channel amp many years ago, and also hearing some JC1s back in the day.  An A23+ looks very enticing.

Curious what else I should be considering in the 1-3k price range, and how I should be considering using the 30n variable output.  Some reviews says it's just great, others say that they missed a proper pre-amp stage.

Thanks for the help!

 

markhyams
corelli
1,167 posts
 

I would strongly consider the matching Marantz integrated.  I understand the attraction to going straight into a power amp.  I might wonder the quality of the variable output however. I love my KI Ruby which is the predecessor of the 30n.  They use the same class d output.  This amp will drive your Sierras beautifully.

Check out this link and look at the tremendous power reserves into low impedance.. Incredible!

https://www.hifinews.com/content/marantz-sa-kipm-ki-ruby-sacd-playeramplifier-lab-report

kennymacc
722 posts
 

You should definitely, strongly consider either the extremely powerful and superb sounding Hegel H390/400, or H590/600 integrated amps and add them to your list of possibilities.  About 4 years ago, I had to move my audio system into a smaller room in the house.  My smaller listening space necessitated the need for me to downsize and simplify my 2-channel audio system.  As a space saving measure, I replaced my high powered mono blocks with a Hegel H590 integrated amp ( I don't use the Hegel H590's internal DAC) to drive my inefficient, power hungry Revel Salon 2 speakers.  After 4 years of ownership, I’m still always absolutely amazed at the pure sonic bliss I experience every time I sit down in front of my audio system.  My H590 is capable of driving my full range speakers in a large room as well.  The Hegel was one of my greatest audio purchases in over 30 years in the hobby, and I highly recommend them.  Happy Listening.        

willow7
18 posts
 

Second the Marantz 30 suggestion. Price is in your range (if discounted or open box) and works nicely with your SACD player.  I have the same palyer matched with the Ruby integrated powering focal aria speakers. I would not comsider it a bass lovers amp - however the smoothenss and soudnstage are wonderful for acoustic or classical.  

markhyams OP
29 posts
 

I went ahead and ordered the Model 30.  Thanks for the advice, I'll report back once I've listened to it!

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