Narrowing down choices in a power amp
Hello all,
I am looking for advice / specific models on a power amp for my existing system.
At this time, Baetis Music Server, AES/USB into T+A DAC 8, feeding into Mark Levinson 326S, feeding a ML 532H, into B&W 802 D2. Turntable is barely ever used.
The ML 532H is making occasional popping sound from 1 channel and then drops out. It owes me very little, I have used it for about 10 years, daily, for a few hours a day. Largish room, low volume listening, mostly blues, pop, rock.
Quality of sound is way more important than volume, I can likely live with a few watts of Class A power.
Per a previous post, it seems like some initial Class A is a really good goal.
Pass Labs and their dealer has recommended at a minimum a X250.8, with minimum 14 wpc Class A. The XA60.8 is not recommended.
Classe Delta Monoblocks have 35 wpc Class A, and get great reviews. Likely some development with my speakers in mind.
Classe Delta Stereo had 12 wpc Class A. Also get great reviews.
Benchmark AHB2 is sort of Class A, no one seems to talk about how musical / engaging / sound stage.
McIntosh MC462 has great reviews, no Class A, I don't need 450 wpc anyways.
Luxman M10X has 12 wpc Class A, seems like a very happy following, I am intrigued. More power than I need but, hey.
Simaudio Moon 400M, 10 wpc Class A, can't find any in depth reviews.
Mark Levinson 536 monoblocks, no Class A, great reviews and I have a ML preamp.
Hegel H30A, hi bias AB amp, great reviews, not Class A.
I am sure there are other brands. Being 3 hours away from the closest stereo shop, with snow covered roads, not helping getting out.
So, my research, and it all comes down to not being able to get out to audition, likely until health and roads are better.
Musicality, engagement, sound quality are way more important than sheer volume.
Thoughts?
@oddiofyl I see. Thanks for your comments. Do you have any news stories which talk about this? It seems that the things you're saying add up to advising people to not do business with Parasound? That's quite a warning. @parasound might want to comment. |
Having owned 5 B&W 800 D that I powered with 5 Classe Omega Reference Mono's that run the first 130w in Class A is a perfect match with B&W's. They thrive on power. I have owned more amps than many of the members on Agon so I am speaking from actual listening experiences. I tried Plinius SA250's, Krell Evolution ones and Pass Labs X600's. The Pass 250's as a minimum and the Classe Delta would be my choices. I do have a lightly used late model pair of Classe Omega Mono's listed here and Usaudiomart that would be in your range. My Omegas out perform the Deltas in my Opinion. Text me directly if you would like to chat. 917-304-9800. John K |
I respectfully, and completely disagree with the comment "Don’t listen to people who warn you against hot power amps and efficient power amps... Go for what sounds best even if it might heat the hell out of your house." I my house, here in the SE, a hot amp is not allowed - period. Why? As soon as a hot Amp gets to operating temperature, the AC kicks on - and there goes the listening session, unless you think that HVAC noise is your favorite song! Listening to you advice, I could use my stereo system for only have of the year... what a waste. |
CODA amps sound like a great match, and are current monsters, I'd look at the S5.5 and the #8. The CODA S5.5 specs are: 50 WPC pure Class A into 8 ohms (more power into A/B), and capable of delivering 100 amps peak current. I own the S5.5 and drive several different speakers (Buchardt S400 MkII, Infinity Kappa 7s, Thiel CS 1.2 & 2.3, Clayton Shaw Caladans.....as well as a bunch of borrowed speakers from Pure Audio Project, Revival, Fyne, Volti, Rosso Fiorentino, and Fritz. I don't own the #8, but have friends that do.....and they're excellent as well. Give Doug Dale a call at CODA, he'd be able to give you some insights |
