1. Home
  2. amps-preamps
  3. 197471-211830

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
devinplombier
1,637 posts
 

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?

Seconding @decooney 's advice. You bought the ML so you must like it? And it's more than up to the task.

If you are set on a change, then consider Accuphase. There's no sense making lateral moves.

 

parkergetdean
1,032 posts
 

There's no sense making lateral moves.

when all I can afford is lateral moves, I will keep making lateral moves until I can no longer afford lateral moves (and I will just downsize)

ohlala
1,273 posts
 

The 532H is modular and very serviceable. I have good experience just sending a part of my 532H to pyramid audio for repair. 

ericba's avatar
ericba
148 posts
 

I have the Pass XA25. It is fantastic. It drives Dybaudio contour legacy with a 90db sensitivity. But I think it may be borderline for your speakers depending on room size as well. Another vote from Simaudio Moon 761. 

toronto416
318 posts
 

Another vote for Accuphase class A amps - the A-80 would drive the B&W 802 well.  In fact Accuphase uses B&W speakers in their factory listening room in Yokohama Japan.

And Accuphase list prices are significantly lower in Canada than in the US - and not on par.  A unit that lists for US$25K in the US lists for C$25K in Canada - which sounds on par except that US$1 = C$1.37.  This discrepancy must have something to do with why Canadian Accuphase dealers cannot post any prices online - and cannot ship to the US.

More to discover