I run Diluceo's as my front l/r speakers in a hybrid 2channel/HT system. Right now they're being powered by a Rotel RB-1070 and I think it's time for an upgrade. I've been using this amp for approx. three years and it's time to start using it to power my centre or surrounds (it can be bridged to drive my cc).
My system has nice soundstage width and depth but lacks the focus that I've heard in the best systems that I've auditioned. Everything seems good, I just know that my current amp is limiting the ultimate performance of my system. I'm not looking for something that's hugely expensive and I don't need gobs of power. I'm just looking for something that will provide excellent transparency and resolution and hopefully provide a slightly smoother presentation in the high frequencies.
I have little/no constructive advice to offer, but I must agree: the Diluceos are very revealing of amplifier capabilities. They are extremely transparent, brutally honest, and don't add any extra body and texture to the sound. With my tube amps, I can hear stupidly-subtle variations in my system -- tube bias, line voltage, trivial channel imbalances, differences in tube brands/production runs. By comparison, my Paradox 1's sounded mostly the same regardless of what I did (which is good, but the Diluceos are simply in a different league of resolution). They aren't easy to position either (of course, my room sucks)..., some times everything "clicks" and I get holographic-staring-into-another-world imaging, other times I feel like I'm going crosseyed
. This is not to say I don't like them -- they really make music when they are fed properly. I've been using them (on my tube system) for some recording/mixing projects for a friend and,
damn, you can hear everything, and it doesn't even hurt
. Frankly, I'm at a total loss as to what I could even replace them with if I get a bigger room
.
Regarding amps, I'd be inclined towards tubes (push-pull) or traditional solid state, something which is 4-ohm-friendly, with a goodly bit of grip and finesse. I would, personally, hesitate to go in the digital direction but I suspect Danny could make some recommendations for them. Out of the amps you mention, the Butler sounds promising on paper (although the zero-feedback claim troubles me), but I've never heard them. So, my post is useless, but I can relate to your concern... the Diluceos have laughed at many amplifiers I've dared to try with them. They never sounded bad with my lesser amps (and some of my lesser amps were certainly a few steps below your Rotel), but it took some evolutionary amplifier upgrades before they started to show off.
