[revrob]

Need some advice from owners of the HT3. I have a pair and have decided to upgrade my integrated amplifier to a power / pre amp combo. I have narrowed it down to two systems, one used and the other new.

1. Used system is Pass Labs x250 and X-1
2. New System is AVA Fet Valve Ultra Double 350 or Double 550 amp along with the new AvaStar hybrid preamplifier.

I want a system that can play at ver low levels without losing the great sound of the Salk and play at loud levels with clipping. I know the AVA stuff is a great synergy with Salk. I also know the AVA will have a warranty but if I buy the Pass stuff from Reno Hifi it will come with a 1 year warranty.

What would be the pros and cons of each sytem besides the warranties. My budget is about $4500.00

Thanks,
Steve

[I.Greyhound Fan]

I've been to Mr. Van Alstine's house and listened to his HTR-3's several times auditioning his equipment.  All I can say is that VA gear has a certain synergy and magic with the HTR-3's. It's like they were made for each other.  So my vote would be to go with the Van Alstine gear.  If you did not want to go that route I would also consider Conrad Johnson but it will cost you an arm and a leg unless you go used.

[Big Red Machine]

As a previous HT3 owner who has tried numerous combos including Pass pre's and X350.5,  the AVA gear will be much more musical and way less analytical.  It's a no brainer to me.

[mark funk]

                   Van Alstine Ultra+ Double 550   

                                                                               

[revrob]

As a previous HT3 owner who has tried numerous combos including Pass pre's and X350.5,  the AVA gear will be much more musical and way less analytical.  It's a no brainer to me.

Big Red,

Did you feel that the Pass gear just wasn't a good match for the HT3 or was it that the AVA was just a better match.

Thanks,
Steve

[zybar]

As a previous HT3 owner who has tried numerous combos including Pass pre's and X350.5,  the AVA gear will be much more musical and way less analytical.  It's a no brainer to me.

Here is a vote in the opposite direction.

I prefer Pass to AVA from a sonics standpoint.  The AVA gear does probably present a better value.

revrob,

Are you limited your choices to just Pass and AVA or are you open to suggestions?

George

[revrob]

George,

I am open to suggestions. I would really like to get this best bank for my dollars whether used or new. I want something that I can be content with over the next several years. My budget is $4500 for the amp and the pre.

Thanks,
Steve

[ctouhey]

Need some advice from owners of the HT3. I have a pair and have decided to upgrade my integrated amplifier to a power / pre amp combo.[snip]

What would be the pros and cons of each sytem besides the warranties. My budget is about $4500.00

Thanks,
Steve

Can't comment on that...but I have recently upgraded my system.  I like the Denon AVP A1HDCI as it sounds great with 2 channel and handles media servers and Internet Radio - although the interface could be significantly improved.  I like my McIntosh amplification, but this combo is out of your stated budget.  The folks here can better address your question.  I’ve yet to experience Van Alstine with my HT3s…

I can say upgrading from an integrated amp to an AVP/amp made a tremendous difference.

Good luck with your upgrade!

Chris

[stew]

George,

I am open to suggestions. I would really like to get this best bank for my dollars whether used or new. I want something that I can be content with over the next several years. My budget is $4500 for the amp and the pre.

Thanks,
Steve

Hi Steve,

I enjoy the combination of Blue Circle separates and my Salk HT1-TLs. Very musical combination... voices are rich and a pleasure to listen to. Dynamics and PRAT are fantastic, IMHO. I own a modded (tube) BC21.1 pre and (SS) BC22mk2 amp. Neither are offered anymore, but there are similarly priced separates available new, and you can find some used BC gear on audiogon. For $4500 you can get a great value with used.

Aside from quality of sound, another great pleasure of dealing with BC is that everything is handmade, a lot of it by the owner Gilbert himself (he modded my BC21.1 personally and I've had many email exchanges with him about various topics), and he is always available to his customers.  He's quirky . But he's a great guy and passionate about audio. Both BC and Salk are handmade gear that are very customizable. I greatly enjoy that aspect of both companies.

Good luck!

Cheers, Stew

[revrob]

Thanks for the all the replies so far. I have a great integrated, LSA Signature. It is by far the best amp / integrated I have ever owned or listen to. My problem is that it has problems at high levels with the bass on certain songs so I can not crank up the volume like I want without clipping.

I need something that is silky smooth like the LSA but also can handle the demands that HT3 puts on amp during heavy bass passages in songs. The bass at high levels is the ONLY reason I would sell the LSA, its that good.

Thanks,
Steve

[jbtrio]

Does the dealer have any used Pass XA series amps. Those would pair much better (warmer) with your HT-3s.
 Never heard AVS gear with the Salks, so I can't comment. Supposenly good value for the money, but not in the same class as Pass Labs IMHO.

The HT-3s like a lot of power. Class D amps give you plenty watts for the money. If you go that route use a good tube pre-amp, which would give a fuller tone.

Class D amps takes a little more effort, but if you choose synergistic components, IC's (copper or gold), PC's, etc. you will be rewarded.

That what I use and the sound is very dynamic,fast, smooth, detailed, and effortless!

Joe

[martyo]

Hi Steve,

I have the HT3's and the Ultra+ Double 550. If you go AVA you'll want the 550. A friend of mine with HT3's (actually he bought Big Reds) auditioned in home the Bryston, Bel Cantos, and even bought the Spectron M-III before returning it and getting the Double 550.

As a previous HT3 owner who has tried numerous combos including Pass pre's and X350.5,  the AVA gear will be much more musical and way less analytical.  It's a no brainer to me.

You get a very unbiased opinion from Big Red (he ain't no AVA fanboy  ) who most likely heard more gear through his HT3's than anyone.

 

[kingdeezie]

I don't own HT3s, but I could also suggest looking at Odyssey Audio.

If bass if the issue that you are looking at fixing, the Odyssey is a great alternative to class D amplification.

They have a damping factor of greater than 800, and the extreme version passes over 120 amps of current for excellent control of the drivers in the HT3s; especially that woofer.

They are 2 OHM stable, and even though they are conservatively rated at 200 watts per channel, I never have a problem driving my speakers to ear splitting levels.

The build quality on these is out of this world as well; built like tanks, and customizable as well. 

 

[davidrs]

Hi Steve,

This recommendation is outside of the two combinations you have listed. But am writing this post since you mentioned listening at low volumes and clipping issues in your post.

I had a pair of Totem Winds, that are rated at 86dB and go down to 24Hz, very similar to the specs on the HT3s.

One thing I really really enjoyed about the amp & pre combination I used with the Totems was that the scale of music remained intact at very low volumes (even at the start of the volume scale) and there was never any clipping that my ears were able to pick up at the loudest levels I could endure.

The amp is by Spectron (Musician III SE mkii) and the pre is a BAT-VK51SE

You can pick up used Spectrons and match with the pre of your choice within your $4500 budget. The Spectron is silky (not ss and not tube) and was never strained. There is something to be said for having power on hand.

I did pair this pre/amp combination up with my Salk SongTowers (as an audition) and the combination worked extremely well.

Good luck with your decision.

- David.





 

[greenhouseman]

Again outside the box ----   AVA gear is very, very good and have heard it on many SALK models over a period of time but consideration might be given to the Wyred4Sound products---do not have HT3's but have the 1"s and 2's and although different animals the Wyreds are very good especially after a substantial break-in period(200+hrs). Initially they are a bit bright and that can be a bit disconcerting, but with a little patience they begin to revel some very good sonic qualities. I have the ST-500 but you would probably want more and the ST-1000 or SX-1000(Monos) are an option. The STP-SE is also a very capable pre and you will find that this combo will work in your budget. Happy hunting

[Nuance]

greenhouseman,

Every time I see those yellow ST's in your avatar I get a big grin on my face.  Too cool!

Some other brand suggetions:

Plinius
Parasound
Musical Fidelity
Audio Research
Modwright
Odyssey
Rogue Audio
Bryston
McInotsh
Peachtree Audio
Naim Audio

There is a lot of good stuff out there.  Do you have a preference between tubes and SS (mainly talking about the preamp here, as I've read its tough to get good woofer control using tubes amps with the HT3s)?

[Big Red Machine]

Again outside the box ----   AVA gear is very, very good and have heard it on many SALK models over a period of time but consideration might be given to the Wyred4Sound products---do not have HT3's but have the 1"s and 2's and although different animals the Wyreds are very good especially after a substantial break-in period(200+hrs). Initially they are a bit bright and that can be a bit disconcerting, but with a little patience they begin to revel some very good sonic qualities. I have the ST-500 but you would probably want more and the ST-1000 or SX-1000(Monos) are an option. The STP-SE is also a very capable pre and you will find that this combo will work in your budget. Happy hunting

Hey, can you PM that rock song or album you gave to Jim?  It was an outstanding hot guitar song!!

[Nuance]

^ Actually, can you share it with the rest of us?  Inquiring minds want to know. 

[I.Greyhound Fan]

I brought my Parasound Halo A21 amp at 400wpc over to Franks studio and paired it with his T-8 and Ultra preamps with his HTR-3's and they sounded great together.  The A21 is an oustanding amp with great dynamics (dampening factor is >1100), speed and bass.  Its one of the best kept secrets.  I run mine with a Van Alstine Ultra Preamp and Ultra DAC with Magnepan 1.6's.

[Kwebb]

I have the Anthem P5 at 325watts (in 4 ohm) for each of the 5 channels.  While it is hard to say what is "the best" I do think this P5 has a very good sound with tremendous range and power.  Has anyone else used the P5 with HT3's or HT2-TL's?

Kyle