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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
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.

robeffy's avatar
robeffy OP
79 posts
 

So many comments.  yikes!  Apologies if I don't mention every poster..

I am planning on repairing the existing amp.  It seems the closest authorized repair depot is 7 hours away, in Montreal.  Not driving there in the winter. There is a shop in Burlington, ON, who said they have a 50% success rate on ML gear, as they are not authorized. That is around 4-5 hours away from me.

Accuphase sure gets strong love from posters on this thread! 

I wasn't even aware that Marantz made a power amp, one for sale in Winnipeg at a shop. 

Pass 250.8 is on my list of want to listen to. Along with Accuphase. Likely Luxman.  I will consider the Bryston 4B3, I have a Bryston 3B NRB which is working great, in my wife's art studio system. 

No one has mentioned the T+A brand of amps. I have read about their products, and own the T+A DAC 8, a great product. 

 

 

 

georgesallit325's avatar
georgesallit325
26 posts
 

The Pass amps have a sound, pleasant and easy to listen to but distinctive. The Luxman is a superb amp with a great sound. It has bulletproof build quality. The sound is neutral and dynamic with better bass from the 10x than the previous 900s. 

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