So...that's a very long list of potential amps. I owned the 250.8 and ran Sasha 2 with it- much more challenging than your 802 and it was a great combo- and- it never left Class A based on the meter. Very musical, thick, juicy mid range and great bottom end. It ran hot due to being biased into class A. The XA60.8 would be a great set up and are of course 60 rms at 8 ohms, over 120 at 4 and even more at 2 ohms- all class A so much more grunt than the 250.8. Strongly recommended. I currently have an Audio Research REF160s and a Mcintosh mc462, I alternate between them with the Sasha 2 and a pair of Martin Logan ESL- X- the Mac amp is a powerhouse, is not colored and is easy to listen to, plays with detail and musicality and has tons of headroom- great reviews and sexy to look at- runs cools too btw. On the used market the Pass XA 60.8 go for around 9k USD and the MC462 is in the $7-8k range. Great options for you and your speakers (which are not particularly difficult to drive).
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?
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I can concur with the others that have recommended CODA 8 and Pass X-250.8. I have the Coda 8 V1 series pushing a Pair of very efficient Tekton Encores (special edition) 90 or more. They don't need watts but, LOVE Current, and that is just what I want for 90Db or so listening levels, just rock and roll.. Highly recommended. The headroom is incredible. The Coda 8 never leaves class A!!!!! My other smaller system is run by the Pass X250.8 in smaller room pushing an incredible pair of Sonus Faber Guarneri G5 bookshelf's 88 efficiency, At similar listening levels as above. The Pass never leaves class A. I don't think I could sell either, they are that good. Hope this helps. Robert TN |
Well, I have been super busy as of late, not going to bore people with details! I just contacted a Coda Dealer in Canada, HiFi Attic. They are going to find out about a drop ship to my location, they are in BC, I am in Ontario. No local support, etc. Seems like great reviews. I still want to hear the Pass Labs, Luxman, Accuphase and also McIntosh, likely a MC462. The Benchmark AHB2 is also a contender. |
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisbh8df-sugden-fba-800-solid-state Those B&W speakers, not owned, but listened to a decent amount in a friend's space. Fairly aggressive mid/high when driven by all PS Audio. Not my choice of electronics. Think the Sugden might be a great ticket. NO, that's not my amp listing. I've owned many Sugden pieces, never that one. There is a magic to Sugden. Other great suggestions already given. Happy hunting. |
Just wanted to say Thank you to everyone who posted. After much thought, I decided to try Class D. I purchased a pair of Hypex Ncore MPA1200 with Muses02 input buffers. Class A input, Hypex NCX500 output. 380 watts into 8 ohms, 700 watts into 4 ohms. Made by RCVTech in the Toronto area. THD + N is 0.0002, THD alone is 0.00009. Who really cares, they sound great! My stereo separation is improved, my bass is much improved, more detail, possibly slightly "brighter" than the Mark Levinson 532H. I have had less than 5 hours playing time on the new amps, by RCVTech, they are still burning in. I still plan on having the ML532H repaired, it will become a backup or something, no firm plans for it. A number of you told me that I would not regret Class D, and now I honestly say I believe you. |
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