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:
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
@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. |
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).
|
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. |
@dfndr110 Lot of great recommendations. Your speakers are way above the pay grade of the pre, amp and DAC. Doesn’t mean it isn’t a great sounding system, does mean you can likely improve the sound a decent amount by pairing some better suited gear with them. If possible, see if your friend will bring over his amps and pre, drop them in your system. This will help you gauge if it’s your room or the gear you are following on love with at your friends house. You can then experiment with room treatment using curtains, throw rugs, exc… hopefully stuff you already have. If it sounds amazing, you know what your path is and you know your DAC can play with the rest of the gear if or when you decide to upgrade but would be the last upgrade made. That said, I would echo another member who suggested an integrated solution. The Coda being recommended, I had one, would blow away what you have currently, provide synergy and allow a DAC upgrade as well. Would really elevate your system on a much bigger way than upgrading the Amps. I have the BHK Pre and MK2 DAC so familiar with PS Audio as well. Synergy is key in any system, matching gear is key. I’d focus on identifying an amp that really fits the speakers, a pre that matches and then a digital from end that plays well, ie, balanced if that’s how the rest of your gear sounds best. If you really like the PS Audio family, you could snag a Stereo BHK, BHK Pre both used and be under budget, have room for DAC / Steamer upgrade as well. Don’t sleep on integrated or stereo amps, I’ve tried a lot of equipment in my set up and a well designed integrated and or stereo amp have easily performed as good or better than Mono’s, good luck! |
