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Recommended Modern Amps

Karl vd Berg said:
Thank you all guys. Really appreciated your notes.

I think I'll get this amp.

slippers-on, many people say that B&W speakers are the natural companion for Rotel amplifiers. But I'm considering about a different model, for money reason: Monitor Audio RX2.

And reading what you guys said here, another question comes out: would it be some kind of components that determine an amplifier's tonality, such as capacitors? I ask this 'cause I have read that some audio grade capacitors can improve the "sound experience" (link here). Maybe only this wouldn't be not true because of a particular electrical schematic the companies make for their own products. I'm not intended to change any component, but it's only for the knowledge.

Anyway, after listening to the coming amp, I'll tell what I felt.

Many thanks.
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Hi Karl...

Sorry, I just now saw this posting. I don't know that they help in sound, I suppose they could, but caps usually help in smoothing out voltage spikes and aide in transients.....but you may want to reach out to GlenB, who is an expert in this field....he would better server your question.I will direct him here as he will serve your question gladly. GlenB is a very nice fellow.

If you go over to Club Rotel, yes you find a large community of Rotel fans who love to pair them with B&W....I am not a fan of B&W....in the old fighting, debate days years ago about which is better, B&W or Paradign, I was on the Paradigm side. The MA RX2 is not a bad choice...they may server you well. I have no personal experience with them but have heard on good faith its not a bad speaker.


...slippers---
 
slippers-on said:
Hi Karl...

Sorry, I just now saw this posting. I don't know that they help in sound, I suppose they could, but caps usually help in smoothing out voltage spikes and aide in transients.....but you may want to reach out to GlenB, who is an expert in this field....he would better server your question.I will direct him here as he will serve your question gladly. GlenB is a very nice fellow.

If you go over to Club Rotel, yes you find a large community of Rotel fans who love to pair them with B&W....I am not a fan of B&W....in the old fighting, debate days years ago about which is better, B&W or Paradign, I was on the Paradigm side. The MA RX2 is not a bad choice...they may server you well. I have no personal experience with them but have heard on good faith its not a bad speaker.


...slippers---
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Byron,
You give me way too much credit. I've done some recaps and mods, but I'm just a regular guy. Guys like Echowars, d3imlay, dr*audio, and others here on AK are the real experts. Yes, the use of premium caps can improve sonics. Late last year I refurbed my SAE2300 with Nichicon Muse and Elna Silmic II's among other upgrades, and that did step things up.

Glen
 

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Glen B said:
Byron,
You give me way too much credit. I've done some recaps and mods, but I'm just a regular guy. Guys like Echowars, d3imlay, dr*audio, and others here on AK are the real experts. Yes, the use of premium caps can improve sonics. Late last year I refurbed my SAE2300 with Nichicon Muse and Elna Silmic II's among other upgrades, and that did step things up.

Glen
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hahaha! No Glen....to us audiophiles, especially the ones who sit back in slippers all day listening, you're more than a regular guy. You can actually fix stuff! To us regular guys/audiophiles, you are a expert....:thmbsp:

...slippers---
 
I can recommend the Manley Stingray (not the Stingray II which I have not heard), but it seems to depend on the speakers used.
Easy to drive speakers like my Tekton Lores and my Econowaves (both in the 95 - 98db range, 8 ohms and fairly flat) sound really good with this amp. Nice and full sound and very detailed. Even the Econowaves with the horns are easy to listen to for many hours, absolutely zero harshness.
On my friend's Wilson WP 8s, not so much. The Wilsons sounded a little lean and tipped up with the Stingray. The Wilsons are 92db (I believe) but I suspect they have pretty hairy impedance curves which the Manley might not handle very well.
The Stingray was the first amp I've tried on my Lores and Econowaves that made me move my 2A3 SET amp out to the Living Room.
 

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JohnVF said:
I whole-hearted recommendation here for the Leben CS-300xs.
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I've only heard a 600, which is an incredibly great amplifier. Easthetically very pleasing too.

My recommendation is on the 'other side' of the amp spectrum in a way:
The Hexateq Studio 700.
http://www.hexateq.com/studio700.html
Actually, any amp in their range fits my listening (and more) taste like a glove.
http://www.hexateq.com/products.html

Hexatec uses Hypex components, when their NC400 will be integrated into a new product that will probably become the go-to product for 'us':
http://www.hypex.nl/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=100&Itemid=102

I am also mad about Firstwatt amps, and still undecided about which of 'their' (Nelson Pass) amps I like best. http://www.firstwatt.com/prod.html

And, for anyone in search of a really, really, really cheap but still very decently sounding (not kidding..) amp I recommend the SMSL amp03 (but there are much more ta2020 chipamps out there which are essentialy 'the same'). I have extensively listened to all of the above amps (just some of the Firstwatts), I own 3 of these SMSL's and bought a dozen or so for friends. If/when I have the cash I honestly don't know if I prefer a Hypex-powered amp or a Pass design.

SMSL amp03:
DSCF4111.jpg
 
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Early on in this section, Catcher10 put in his two-cents' worth regarding the NAD C 356BEE integrated amp. I would like to chime in on the C 326BEE, the 50 wpc little brother. I have had this unit for the past two years, using it as-is to drive my IMF TLS80s (not the most efficient speaker out there) and using the power amp (it has pre-in and main-out, a nice feature in this price range) in combination with my tube pre-amp, mostly listening to classical and female vocalists. I have grown quite fond of this piece in both arrangements: plenty of power for the listening levels that I enjoy, nicely featured, and not the least bit fatiguing. I consider it a very nice all-around amp and a very good value.

I have to confess that I also use it to drive a pair of rebuilt EPI 100s in combination with twin subs when I listen to Pink Floyd's Pulse when my wife is not around. Ooh baby, this thing sounds good when pushed :D
 
Yamaha A-S500

I have to put in my recommendation for the Yamaha A-S500 integrated amp. 85 clean watts per channel at 8 ohms with high current capability. I am driving a pair of KEF Q-300 speakers in my study 10.5 x11 feet. I found it to be extremely detailed using direct mode but have learned to use the variable loudness control to give music the right amount of warmth at the listening levels I prefer. I enjoy Pandora and listen to vocals from Carly Simon, Rosemary Clooney, Julie London, Doris Day, Frank Sinatra and other greats of that era. It's like being In a nightclub and hearing them live. In my career I worked on live productions both in the editing room and on the floor on productions like the Perry Como Music Hall, and others. This setup puts me back there!:music:
 
I've been toying with the idea of buying an A-S500. They're reasonably priced and apparently work very nicely with MA RX1's. My Brio-R is highy commendable in many ways but does generate a fair amount of white noise through my RX1's.
 
another vote for the AS500....mine has been with me for a month, and is an eye opening value. Excellent sound for the money(or even a lot more, IMO) and with my speakers, capable of filling any room with high quality sound.
 
I've been using a Rotel RSX-1065 since new for 10 years now with B&W CM2 and CMC center channel speaker. I have had the Rotel back to the factory once to have the video processor blade upgraded for component video. In addition I have what is probably overkill, a B&W ASW-4000 subwoofer. Overall I am very happy with this gear and have not had any real desire to upgrade. I did get a Logitec Harmony remote a few years ago which I think was a good investment. I did try using a separate amp for 7 channels but wasn't that impressed with the results.
 
Good lord, has no one mentioned the Rega Brio-R yet other than OP? The thing is phenomenal, musically voiced, powerful, and cheap (relatively). I didn't find a single amp under $2500 that I liked better.
 
midflder92 said:
Good lord, has no one mentioned the Rega Brio-R yet other than OP? The thing is phenomenal, musically voiced, powerful, and cheap (relatively). I didn't find a single amp under $2500 that I liked better.
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Loved the Brio-R with Magneplanar MMG's thru Acoustic Zen Satori wires. But the Bottlehead Stereomour ($749) w/Blumenstein Orca's (formerly $595) takes the cake. :tresbon:
 
I recently demoed a Dynavector HX100. Stunning grip with its 180w p/c and "musical" at the same time. It is certainly on my 'last amp' short list.

Currently listening via a borrowed Naim Nap300 which may be even more musical but does not have that same overt level of grip.

The DV had the bigger soundstage but that is not really a selling point to me.

Detail wise they are both an a par. The Naim may have it slightly on subtle detail but it has been several weeks since I had the DV so my audio memory may be letting me down here.

Steve
 
Beware - the first recommendation the Audio Source amp 100 catches on fire by itself!

Shy away from it - and if you have it, don't use it!
 
Bigerik said:
Where did you hear this?
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I see there are a few reviews on the Amazon website which mention smoking Amp 100's. However these are few, and outweighed by the people who are generally happy with them, input 1 auto-switch off gripes excepted.
 
After almost a year, I'm still a big fan of my Topping TP60.

Pricewise, it's hard to beat it if you're looking for a no-frills integrated amp with 2 inputs. A little over $200 at Amazon.
 
Hi, first of all thanks for this thread been a big help. Now that thats out of the way can any one tell me if pyle products are worth looking into for a home theatre setup. Or is it cheapo ebay crap. Trying to find 3 amps for the set up 50w perchannel is more than enough. My budget is low if there is a better product let me know please. If not might go with 3x audio source.
Thanks
 
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