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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?

 

 

robeffy
decooney
2,565 posts
 

To @robeffy WHY does it have to be a "new" amp - why don’t you try and locate someone within 2-4 hours driving distance (if doable) and simply get someone qualified to go through your EXISTING Mark Levinson 532H and fix it? When it not dropping a channel do you like how it sounds now?  When you meet a capable tech who also does checks and upgrades, it’s worth its weight of the amp to consider this too. You might seriously consider this, even if it’s overnight drive and stay. Sometimes the solution is sitting right in front of us, fwiw. 

They may replace the main power filter caps and check all of the output transistors and check/adjust everything to make it whole again for you. Heck If you were closer, I’d buy the amp from you needing repair, and get it fixed properly and keep it myself and play it on rotation.  You’d have a hard time convincing me your existing amp is not worth saving.  Best of luck to you.  

 

salc
46 posts
 

I demoed the Pass x250.8, x260.8, and the x350.8

i settled on the x350.8, found its sound not as dense as the other 2, more Rock and roll punch and worked best with my Magnepan 20.7s.  The x260.8 monos were nice, more musical than the x250.8  but still had the same flavor on my system.  I would say The 350 have just a touch of warmth, slightly to right of neutral with a tight impact.  Check them out if you can. 

 

ericrhodes1's avatar
ericrhodes1
257 posts
 

@inagroove AC's are part of room treatment sadly. 

phishhhhh4's avatar
phishhhhh4
177 posts
 

Rowland 555

inagroove
268 posts
 

@ghdprentice 

HVAC - A Tale of Two Cities:

Here in the 'deep south' everyone's AC runs more than have of the year (ours is set at a moderate 74F).  Many summer nights are in the 80s, even 90s, so many homes are equipped with two large HVAC heat-pumps.  We have only one. 

My listening/living room is approximately 26' x 17' x 16'high (peaked roof).  Even with a SS Amp, my stereo noticeably shortens the HAVC on/off cycle. 

Your millage may very...

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