[Telstar]

I see, The picture seems to clear up a bit, it is most likely that it is in the midbass that
your speakers are putting the most toll on your amps.

I know, budgets are always there, and the midbass and the tweeter sweet is usually what goes first when
a amp is under strain... Then the soudstage depth goes out the window and tutti frutti and all that dudu!
I was under the impression that this could be the case, how to get an amp that has a massive yet nimble
powersupply and that don't get coarse under a bit of strain, and that don't kneel with the midbass doing all
this!!

You got the picture right.
I didnt write that i feel somewhat harshness in the highs, but its there. And it has to go.

On a sidenote..Telstar, how about getting a different pair of speakers? Have you considered this as an option?

I answered this in post #4:
"I have also been suggested by various people to replace the speakers. I have a forced room positioning and i could go only with slim towers possibly without bass reflex. Nothing good under 5-10k (euros) and even in that pricerange, I havent heard yet something that clearly sounds better than my linns, even with all their defects."

So i decided to sort out the amplification first and eventually change the speakers when I move house.

[Imperial]

OK.
I think it's within you budget, it's called Musical Fidelity A5CR.
It's the one I would like to add to your list, that you're likely to afford.

Keep searching! Don't give up!

Imperial

[denjo]

It seems the YBA is to be excluded due to pretty low power.

Telstar
I can personally vouch that the YBA is much more powerful than its paper specs. As an illustration, I drove my Thiel CS2.4 (not the easiest of loads) with a diminutive YBA Integre DT (rated at about 90w at 4 ohm) and the Thiels were much more lively than my huge 600 watter!! If you have the opportunity, I would ask you to give the YBA a listen

I also auditioned the Passion breifly and although it was the same specs as the DT, the Passion felt twice as powerful and sounded quite different. The DT has a passive pre while the Passion has an active one.

Best Regards
Dennis

[Telstar]

I can personally vouch that the YBA is much more powerful than its paper specs. As an illustration, I drove my Thiel CS2.4 (not the easiest of loads) with a diminutive YBA Integre DT (rated at about 90w at 4 ohm) and the Thiels were much more lively than my huge 600 watter!! If you have the opportunity, I would ask you to give the YBA a listen

I also auditioned the Passion breifly and although it was the same specs as the DT, the Passion felt twice as powerful and sounded quite different. The DT has a passive pre while the Passion has an active one.

Best Regards
Dennis

I could listen to the passion 100 and to the yba design, both integrated amps, in a shop. eventually either of them in my setup.
I also have an appointment with a private person to listen to his system of YBA signature top of the line.
This will make my opinion on the yba sound. If i dont like it, i will scratch yba from my list, if i love it, i will buy the yba-2* immediately, if inbetween, i'm about in the same boat as now.

*The YBA-2 which I have the chance to buy (for an excellent price i have to say), is 180W on 4ohms measured by stereophile. It is more similar to the classic than the passion line as sound. I dont have the chance to listen to it in my system before I buy it, but it shouldnt be difficult to resell.

Tomorrow i will know if the Symphonic Line G1 is still available or if it is sold (the entire setup was for sale). still no chance to listen, but sounds tempting.

I have less pressure with the Belles, which i will have with a money-back guarantee (minus shipping).

This is the current situation. I'd prefer to not add more names on the list, because is very hard to audition used gear. I have spent a lot of time

[denjo]

Telstar

If you go for the Passion its got to be the 300. The advantage of the Passion 300 over the YBA*2 (another excellent choice) is that its simpler with one box (one less pair of ICs). Good luck!

I would have gone the YBA route had it not been for the high Euro and the steep markup of my local agent. I ended up with the Leben CS600 (also an integrated) but am now in tubeland!

Best Regards
Dennis

[Imperial]

Telstar, since you do go the drive - dac - pre route..
I'd like to mention a product that could be of interest to you.
It's the Lyngdorph DPA-1. And yes, I am suggesting you replace your behringer unit.

This one adresses several of your problems I believe. Freeing up you amp choice somewhat further...
You may with this baby bi-amp in a rather unique way.

Imperial