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Advice on ~$10K Monoblock Amp/Pre-Amp Purchase

New to this forum after getting back into 2-channel audio setups.  Room is 15x15 - my listening location is 9' from where the speakers are located.  No sound treatments - glass wall behind my listening position so that's not ideal  I have just upgraded to Revel F328be (8ohm - 91db sensitivity) speakers (from F208s that I love).  Amps now are Schiit Vidar (gen1 - 100W/ch into 8ohms) mono blocks with Schiit Freya+ tube pre-amp.  Main source is Eversolo DMP-A6 and an older Classe CD player I run as a transport through a Schiit Bifrost DAC (no analog sources).  Like Jazz and Rock/Blues - alot of Dire Straits/Mark Knopfler, Jeff Beck kind of stuff, Pink Floyd, Steely Dan, Sade, etc...not alot of hard rock at high decibels - prefer more mellow things as I age but I do crank it up on occasion.  Also have a single REL 528SE subwoofer. 

The amp right now is the weakest link - thus the focus on that as the next upgrade.  My only symptom is a slight lack of dynamics and punch at higher volumes which isn't often but things sound different on my system as compared to my friend's $$$ system with the same speakers being driven by some PS Audio BHK600 monos and their new PMG Signature Pre-amp.

I usually buy used to save on the high MSRP costs.  I don't need the latest and greatest but also don't want something vintage where there could be alot of downtime for service needs.  Only 2.1 listening.  So thinking SS for the AMP (want mono-blocks again) and tube/hybrid for the pre-amp.  Not an audiophile so thinking it's easiest (if possible) to get the Amp/Pre-amp from the same vintage/manufacturer to keep things simple in terms of matching up the specs - but this isn't a requirement. 

Items I am considering:  

  • Schiit Tyr amps (new) around $3200/pair as I've read great reviews on them and potentially upgrade the pre-amp over time - also thinking a new version of this is coming out soon so may be worth waiting
  • PS Audio BHK300 monos - probably match with their BHK Pre-amp - $10K about total
  • PS Audio MM1200s - probably match with their BHK Pre-amp also - about $7500 total
  • Ampzilla 2000 2nd Edition - probably keep the Freya+ as pre-amp for now - about $3800 for just amps used
  • McIntosh 501s but worried about age - maybe 601s but getting up there in pricing especially when you add a Mc tube pre-amp - atleast $10-12K total - probably least likely of the options on my list
  • SimAudio Moon 400M - not sure on pre-amp - $4300 or so just for amps
  • JRD 501 Monos - older model so not sure here - would find a similar JRD pre-amp I could afford to mate-up - about $6-7K total
  • Older Bryston monos I could afford - need to research them more
  • Audionet AMP monos - mated to their Pre I G3 pre-amp - about $9K total
  • Orchard Audio Starkrimson Mono Ultra Premium (monoblocks) new - maybe mate up with a PrimaLuna EVO400 Pre-amp - about $9-10K total
  • Benchmark AHB2 in bridged/mono config - maybe with PrimaLuna or LTA MicroZOTL L3 Pre-amp - about $10K total
  • Maybe older Mark Levinson stuff due to their mating well with Revels but don't know alot about them and worried about servicing if too old

I don't have any love affair with any specific amp brand or amp-sound so my list keeps expanding but looking for the best value-play overall.  I want something that can do those speakers justice and would be good enough to be an end-state system for me. It's unlikely I will be able to listen to many of these as it would be impossible to find places with all of these components.  I can sometimes tell differences of amps/pre-amp combos in A/B testing but find it very hard to compare those things when the listening is days apart.  Leaning towards the Schiit Tyrs (upgrade pre-amp over time if needed) or the BHK300s with the matching BHK Pre-amp as its not too old and have good reviews overall and like the hybrid design (but have only heard the BHK600s) or the Moon 400Ms (need pre-amp recommendations for this one).

Open for other ideas.  Welcome the feedback.  Been researching things for a few weeks now and hoping to make a final selection soon......

AndrewT

dfndr110
pkornnh
4 posts
 

My Take on the Starkrimson Mono Ultra LPS vs. McIntosh MC501

I can honestly say I highly recommend the Starkrimson Mono Ultra LPS! And if you’re looking for something classic and bulletproof, a used McIntosh MC501 is still a fantastic choice.

I’ve had my MC501s for over 20 years and just passed them down to my son. They’ve aged beautifully—no issues, no loss of performance. They’re powerful amps with that signature McIntosh character: smooth, slightly rounded highs, and a forgiving nature that makes them a great match for speakers on the brighter side. They create a big, spacious sound with plenty of air, and they never feel fatiguing.

When I decided to upgrade, I went with the Starkrimsons—and wow, what a surprise. The first thing I noticed was how they took control of my Dunlavy SC IVs. The bass tightened up, and the speakers felt more alive than ever. I’ve tried over a dozen amps in this system, but none brought this level of grip and authority.

The presentation is fast, clean, and incredibly open. Transients are crisp, and the sense of timing is spot-on. Imaging is laser-precise, and the soundstage feels wide and deep, with instruments floating naturally in space. There’s a sense of clarity and effortlessness that makes you forget about the gear and just enjoy the music. Every detail is there, but nothing feels exaggerated—it’s balanced and honest.

The MC501s still hold their charm with that warm, inviting sound, but the Starkrimsons deliver a level of transparency and control that feels truly exciting. They let the music speak for itself.

 

Bottom line:

MC501s: Warm, forgiving, and timeless—perfect for those who love a classic sound. This amp is warm when ideling and gets hot when playing at high levels.

Starkrimson Mono Ultra LPS: Dynamic, precise, and open—ideal for those chasing ultimate clarity and realism. Even when playing at high levels, there the warmth was almost imperceptable. 
 

jc4659
620 posts
 

@timothy_m I agree with you as I'm running a pair of AHB2s with a Spatial labs Raven preamplifier.  The combo is incredible with clarity and transparency that allows me to easily identify cables and power cords that work well (naturalness, no grain) in my system.

timothy_m
53 posts
 

@jc4659 Awesome combo!

The OP would be wise to investigate the AHB2s with a quality tube preamp.  Always controversial as equipment tends to be in the audiophile world, but the AHB2 is close to a "straight wire with gain" so the choice of preamp becomes the key item of focus simplifying the decision.  Also, a single AHB2 would do the job freeing up cash for broad selection of preamps.

jallan's avatar
jallan
435 posts
 

As the owner of numerous pieces of Schiit (Yggdrasil OG, Freya+, original Saga, original Aegir), there is definitely a common thread to the sound- it’s robust and driven, not reticent. I wouldn’t call it colored but more likely enthusiastic with lots of drive. Live recordings well done sound real. Not dry.

 Don’t think you could go wrong with the Tyrs, though the Wotan amp showed lots of guts in the Chesky room at CAF.

I own a SST Son of Ampzilla 2 which was to serve as a placeholder before I got a PS Audio BHK amp, but my little amp (with quite a beefy power supply) sounds so good that I never moved on. I would consider that as well as the Ampzilla 2000 (I built the original Ampzilla, and the Schiit sound is in the same arena as the Bongiorno arena).

 

 

elliottbnewcombjr
7,913 posts
 

OP:

"They appear to be about 100w/channel for 8ohms - a little skinny on the power side maybe but my Revels are pretty efficient so I think they could work.  Its unclear to me if the limitations I see in my current amp (also 100w/ch) are power-based or quality-based."

Re-read your original post, you need more power occasionally, don’t compromise on that.

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