The stratos odyssey I used to owned. They are worth trying.if Iam in your situation I will go for at least 100w . I think you speakers sensitivity 86 db. They need power.
Backert Labs preamp, now a New Power Amp
I posted several weeks back that I was deciding between a new preamp or go integrated. I decided on a used Backert Labs Rhumba 1.3 and it arrived last week. The preamp came with Conn 12au7 tubes, and I have to say the improvement in overall sound quality was a huge step up to the Vincent SA-32 pre. I plan to start tube rolling but also have an itch to upgrade my power amp.
With all all positive feedback on Hegel, paired with Dynaudio, I’m considering a Hegel H20 power amp. Any other power amps that will provide a good match with Dynaudio Contour 20i I should consider? I like a wide/deep soundstage with clarity (but not clinical), and dynamic headroom. Budget is around $6k new or used
Considerations beyond Hegel H20:
- PERREAUX 350
- Simaudio W8
- LTA ZOTL40
- McIntosh MC152
Current equipment:
- Parasound A21+
-Backert Labs Rhumba 1.3
- Lumin D3
- VPI Prime
- Dynaudio Contour 20i
Looking forward to suggestions and appreciate everyone’s feedback.
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- 33 posts total
odyssey’s are very well built no nonsense amps, hegels are excellent too, i have both -- most importantly, both have the critical solid state amp quality in my view, which is being grainless and without any noticeable self imposed ’etch’, the classic solid state nasty seen in way too many ss amps the h20 is a very neutral sounding amp, crystal clear, fantastic low end grip and as close to straight wire with gain as you will find... my upgraded stratos is more rolled off up high, less airy than the hegel with the best sources, and adds a touch more midbass bloom minor note -- klaus’s odyssey’s can have a funky wiring convention with his balanced inputs, so watch out for that, and his amps can have less than ideal ergonomics (deep case, power switch on the rear panel...) |
Congratulations on the new preamp. And TBH when it comes to amp and preamp combination - our system matched almost to the T before I upgraded from a Parasound A21 to the Accuphase A-48S. You will be pleasantly surprised by how much the Rhumba responds to tube rolling. I recently upgraded to an Accuphase amplifier, from the Parasound A21, and this is a huge upgrade in my system. What I am surprised was that - even after I moved from a 250 Watts Parasound to a 50 Watts Accuphase, the "clarift", "harmonics", "drive" and "sense of ease" with the Accuphase is unreal. I keep wondering how can the bass sound so strong with this lower powered amp compared to the previous amp. The Parasound is a fantastic amplifier for the money; but the Accuphase "brings out the realism" and creates "touch me" sound images. My Accuphase might not work with your speakers as they are lower sensitivity. But there is a used Accuphase on US Audiomart that will pair very well with your Rhumba and will provide you with a nice upgrade. I you want to understand more on the Accuphase amplifiers, please go through the thread I started - Accuphase amplifier choice. Good luck and I hope you find and love whatever route you choose - from one Rhumba owner to another!! |
- 33 posts total