[Hantra]

All:

I have identified some constants in my system now.  My speakers are a constant.  They probably are not going to change.  My cables, well they are constant now also.  My front end is constant, or at least it should be in the next couple weeks.  

One thing that has never been constant for me is amplification.  And perhaps it is because my requirements are too specific and picky.  

But here they are.  If you have ideas on what I should try, they are welcome:

I have a small room, so heat is a consideration.  I like Plinius, but the 102 wouldn't drive my speakers, and the 250 is WAY too much heat.

I need something resolving and pretty at the same time.  I have a DK Design VS1 MkII right now and I'm getting rid of it, but it's as close as I have heard to pretty and resolving in my budget.

My budget for amplification is $3,000-$4,000.

One of my number one requirements is resale value.

Another requirement at this point in my audio life is pride of ownership.  The DK certainly lacks that.  I want something that I can look at and love.  Think Krell FPB or Theta Dreadnaught.  

One more requirement is that I need a lot of power.  As I said the SA-102 wouldn't deliver the goods when it came to that.  The only amplifiers I have had in my system that would satisfactorily control my speakers are the Bel Canto Evo 4 in dual differential, the Perreuax 350 and Radiance, the DK, and the Plinius 8200MkII.  The Rowland 201's almost did it, but not quite.  None of these amps really got me going emotionally except for the 8200MkII, and it lacks pride of ownership on the level of my Piegas.

So I am left with. . what exactly?  I was thinking DNA-500.  It's so plain looking though. . I dunno.  I was thinking FPB, but having not heard one on Piegas. . .

Comments on how insane I am are not welcome, but recommendations are.  

[dave_c]

When you say "pride of ownership" are you talking about looks or reputation?  

Either way, check out the new Jjaz ICEPower review on Six Moons:
http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/jjaz/jjaz.html

[Hantra]

When you say "pride of ownership" are you talking about looks or reputation?  

Either way, check out the new Jjaz ICEPower review on Six Moons:
http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/jjaz/jjaz.html

Hmm. . . I guess both.  

JJAZ might be a good one, but they're too expensive.  I can't imagine paying Rowland prices for the JJAZ even though they are more power.  

Thanks!

B

[meilankev]

hantra,

The DK Design unit is an integrated amp, right?  Therefore, are you looking for another integrated amp (for the price you state)?  Or do you have another preamp, and the price stated is for power amp only?

Kevin

[Hantra]

hantra,

The DK Design unit is an integrated amp, right?  Therefore, are you looking for another integrated amp (for the price you state)?  Or do you have another preamp, and the price stated is for power amp only?

Kevin

Kevin:

I have a preamp I can use for now.  That'll be an entirely different thread.  So for my budget, that's amp only.

Thanks!

B

[meilankev]

hantra,

There's someone on Audiogon selling a McIntosh MC-352 stereoblock for $2,600 !!!!  That's 350W of 8 ohm juice, from a company of unquestioned reputation (not to mention re-sale value).

At a glance, it appears a win-win situation.

Kevin

[Carlman]

What about a Pass or Levinson?  
I thought this might be a nice amp for you:
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1116529175

A McIntosh sounds right up your alley also...

I came to this same decision point with cars... and essentially I wanted something a little unique but with excellent reliablity, driving satisfaction, and very good resale value... So far I haven't found better than an '05 Toyota Avalon. (not '04)  I would've never guessed I'd be interested in what's considered a 'senior's' car but I did... So, I'm thinking maybe you need to look at 'senior's' amps...    

Anyway, I found something that isn't all that unique but I like it.

Best of luck... I still can't fully understand how you'd give up the DK after the experiences you've had with it... but I can pretend to understand with no problem.

[Hantra]

I wonder if I can get a "senior" discount on some of those pieces?  

Well man I still like it, and I'm still listening to it, and I'm not in a huge hurry, but I will be getting rid of it in favor of something I can see myself with for the long(er) term.  

[PhilNYC]

I have a preamp I can use for now.  That'll be an entirely different thread.  So for my budget, that's amp only.

What's the preamp?  That'll affect the amp recommendations.

[Hantra]

I have a preamp I can use for now.  That'll be an entirely different thread.  So for my budget, that's amp only.

What's the preamp?  That'll affect the amp recommendations.

I don't know really.  I'd probably borrow a passive, or a cheap one from a friend.  Nothing exotic.  I'd be looking for a pre as soon as I got my amp. . .

[rosconey]

http://www.jungson.com/content/product_pages/ja200.htm

http://www.jungson.com/content/product_pages/ja100.htm

[PhilNYC]

For solid state stuff, my favorites with options in your price range (new and used) are Pass Labs and Sim Audio...although the Pass stuff gets a bit hot and may not fit your criteria that way.  Levinson could also be a good option...

[ZooDog]

A Simaudio W-5 might work well.  Maybe a used Pass X250 or X350.

[muralman1]

Has to look great, sound great, be powerful, not hot. Gee, that's not asking for much.

If the amp isn't going to get hot, you need to stay away from tubes, and solid state. They both will turn your small room into a sweltering sauna.

I can't do anything for you when it comes to looks, but the H2O amps fill all the other must haves. Unlike the Z, and the JR 201, the H2O has a big analog power supply.

You need to mate the H2O with a clean solid state active preamp.

[Hantra]

I can't do anything for you when it comes to looks, but the H2O amps fill all the other must haves. Unlike the Z, and the JR 201, the H2O has a big analog power supply.

You need to mate the H2O with a clean solid state active preamp.

H2O?  Not familiar with it. . .  Link?

[jcoat007]

Not sure if this meets your criteria, but it has tubes without the heat:

http://www.butleraudio.com/tdb2250.php

6moons review:  http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/butler/2250.html

[doug s.]

i would recommend electrocompaniet amps.  what i'd be using if i weren't enamoured w/toobs.     they have incredible current output, for their power rating.  they are extremely smooth for s/s amps, yet still offer up loads of detail.  and (due to their prodigeous current output?) they can drive most any speaker.  they're rated as stable into <0.5 ohm loads.

here's a couple on the used market - no resale issues if ya purchase used.  

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1116109662
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1115691201

their home page:
http://www.electrocompaniet.no/

doug s.

[muralman1]

Like all class ICE amp offerings, H2O is new. The H2O site (under construction) leaves much to be desired. A better place to start familiarizing yourself with the H2O is visit audiogon, and read the H2O Signature review by audiofankj.

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?aamps&1103079446&read&keyw&zzh2o


I'd show a pic, but I don't know how to upload it.
[/img][/url]

[andyr]

If the amp isn't going to get hot, you need to stay away from tubes, and solid state. They both will turn your small room into a sweltering sauna.  ....

Muralman,

I think you mean "stay away from tubes, and Class A solid state"?

I assure you the heatsinks of my Class AB AKSA ss amps get no more than warm when I crank up Pink Floyd.

Regards,

Andy

[Al Garay]

You want something classic and distinctive look at:

Ayre v-5x
http://www.ayre.com/products_detail.cfm?productid=8

Crown Studio Reference
http://www.crownaudio.com/amp_htm/studref.htm

Coda
http://www.coda-continuum.com/

used:

Accuphase
http://www.accuphase.com/

Atma-Sphere
http://www.atma-sphere.com/

Manley labs
http://www.manleylabs.com/

Threshold
http://www.threshold-audio.com/

Krell, Mark Levinsion, McIntosh have been mentioned.