I suggest you take a look at Odyssey Audio amps. You can get two monobloc Stratos amps at 180 wpc for about $2700. They are also high current designs, according to Klaus’ website. I have two Kismet monoblocs in Stratos cases, and they are my end stage amps. www.odysseyaudio.com
Power amplifier advice?
I am thinking about buying a power amplifier. I want something with about 200 W per channel into 8 Ohms, in the price range up to about $2500. The models that are currently at the top of my shortlist are Rotel Rb-1582 MkII, Anthem MCA 225 Gen 2, and Schiit Wotan.
It is not possible for me to listen to these side by side, so I must base my decision on specs, reviews, and recommendations.
If anyone has experience of these amplifiers, I am eager to hear about their impressions and views.
My current speakers are a pair of old NHT 2.5, which are said to be quite power hungry, and a bit bright. I will probably upgrade speakers later, but I want to hear the NHT:s with a more powerful amp first. My current amplifier is an old HK6850 integrated, with 85 W per channel. My DAC (Denafrips Aress II) lacks volume control, so if I buy a separate power amp I will also need a preamp, but that is a later issue.
I mostly listen to hard rock and heavy metal, and I like to be able to crank it up so that I can hear the music while doing chores in the kitchen (no room for speakers there).
Regards,
Kaj
- ...
- 46 posts total
I agree with the others who suggest getting speakers sorted first. I also agree with @jasonbourne71 |
I had the Anthem for a couple years, it’s a fine amp and I’m sure would work well for many speakers…..but I gotta agree amps are not all the same despite “specs” that might look similar, case in point, the Anthem sounded great on my then Martin Logan classic 9’s, UNTIL I bought a Sanders Magtech which is designed for electrostats. Then I moved to Vandersteen Treo speakers, the Magtech certainly got the job done (it’s got tons of power), but then I moved to an Aesthetix Atlas amp and OMG the difference. |
Here's a happy owner of a ROTEL 1582 MKII. It's an excellent amplifier, but I think, like everyone else, that for that budget you'd be better off buying a pair of speakers for US$1500 and an amplifier for $1000. If you decide to keep the speakers, buy the ROTEL, replace the 6 internal fuses, the bidding posts, and the plastic feet on the base with anti-vibration ones, and I assure you, you'll be blown away by the sound. I think that given its quality, you can buy it used; you'll save money, and it's very unlikely to have any problems. It's a tank of an amplifier. |
- 46 posts total