High-End amp for High-End-speakers

[L01]

Hi,

I am actually no recording-pro, but I love to listen to good music and I am considering to buy myself some nice new amp for my speakers (B&W 802).

Some months ago I bought the Benchmark DAC1 as a DAC for my music-listening-system and I realized, that the quality of pro-equipment doesn´t has to be worse than hifi-equipment at all: Even for pure music-listening!

Now, my question is: Can professional amps compete with hifi-amps and if so: Which amps can be recommended for pure music listening in the living room (no fans please)? Price range is something like ~ 0-3500€

I considered some companies like crown (www.crownaudio.com - k-series?), but maybe you can give me some tips :-)

cheers and kind regards
Andreas

[Brad Blackwood]

These amps sound very good with N802s, imo...

[George Necola]

I think it's time for you, for an excellent class A tube AMP

[L01]

Originally Posted by Brad Blackwood

These amps sound very good with N802s, imo...

I am sure it does, and so do other hifi-brands like mcIntosh, mark-levinson etc.

My question is, if there are any professional brands like crown, kme, etc., which can compete with these hifi-brands in sound-quality.

I already made lot´s of experience with hifi-brands, but somehow I have the feeling, that most of the pure pro-brands are of similar quality, on a often much more reasonable price.

cheers
Andreas

[L01]

Originally Posted by Gearslutzer

I think it's time for you, for an excellent class A tube AMP

I already tried some tube-amp (conrad johnson) and it was not bad at all, but somehow I wanna try some professional equipment, if it makes sense.

[Fletcher]

All the amps in my world [that aren't built into the monitors] are McIntosh... they probably don't "spec" as well as a bunch of others but I've never heard anything that sounded better.

As always [especailly with amps and speakers!!!] YMMV

[L01]

Originally Posted by Fletcher

All the amps in my world [that aren't built into the monitors] are McIntosh... they probably don't "spec" as well as a bunch of others but I've never heard anything that sounded better.

As always [especailly with amps and speakers!!!] YMMV

This, I also know: McIntosh is also my favourite, but I can´t pay a couple of mono-blocks of these yet.

[Jim Williams]

Originally Posted by Brad Blackwood

These amps sound very good with N802s, imo...

I had some of the Pass Labs amps in the shop for listening. It sounded OK until I hooked up the modified Adcom 545. It didn't sound very good after the comparison to the Adcom. The Pass Labs amp costs $4800. The used Adcom I bought from Wes Dooley for $210.

The Macs are real nice in the living room, too much color for the control room.

One reporter's opinion...

Jim Williams
Audio Upgrades

[Gilles]

I'm a proud user of Manley amps and preamps since 1988. I can tell you, that will not be easy to find better. From the integrated Stingray to the 500 watt monoblock you should find something within your budget.
Try to get one with triode mode option.

[Bob Ross]

Originally Posted by L01

My question is, if there are any professional brands like crown, kme, etc., which can compete with these hifi-brands in sound-quality.

FM Acoustics, from Switzerland. But I think they are WTF out of your stated price range.

[L01]

Originally Posted by Bob Ross

FM Acoustics, from Switzerland. But I think they are WTF out of your stated price range.

ohh yeah.... I am actually even willing to pay more.... but their prices are

[chetatkinsdiet]

I, like Fletcher, am a McIntosh guy for my home system. I have a nice little MC2205 that sounds very nice paired with my C26 pre.

But to answer your question, I have a UREI 6260 that is a fanless amp intended for studio control room use. You can find a spec sheet here:
http://www.jblpro.com/pub/obsolete/6200ser.pdf

I just happen to have a nice one for sale. I'd think that you could build up a very nice sounding system using this series. Maybe get a single 6260 for the L/R channel. Then add another and bridge the amps to mono. Then get one or two more for the rear channels....even move down to a smaller amp in the line if needed. Then grab another one for the center or sub.

It would look really cool to open a closet door in the house and see a rack of these.

Given the fact that I'm selling this 6260 for a mere $300 is enough to jump all over it. Are there better amps out there? Yes. For $300? No.
...and these amps are THX rated....if that means anything to you.

later,
m

[robdarling]

Look into the Audio Research solid state amps. I've used them for years and have really loved their balance of musicality and precision. Not too quick, not to slow, lots of room to breathe. Great amps.

[Yannick]

Get a Bryston 3B SST (or 4B SST if you need the power) and don't look back.

The SST series is genuinly highend, and don't forget the 20 year warranty

I also own two DAC1s and a Bryston 875 8ch amp (for surround setups ...).

Call me addicted

[SoZo]

my favorites are Pass Labs and Bryston... For SS amps.

[thethrillfactor]

Originally Posted by Jim Williams

The Macs are real nice in the living room, too much color for the control room.

One reporter's opinion...

Jim Williams
Audio Upgrades

Macs sound great on NS10's.

[thethrillfactor]

For 802s i liked Pass Labs,Gamut, the older ML's,certain Krells,some Threshold,Boulder,Electrocompaniet and certain Classe's.

[Rob G]

Amps from Red Rose Music, Cello, Krell, Mark Levinson, or Bryston should match well with the B & W's. My suggestion is B & W 801's with Mark Levinson amps/pre amps. You can source how you choose but if you're going digital use dCS converters. They are one of the few converter companies that also supports DXD(Direct Extreme Digital).

Rob G..

[Shuffletone]

This is off the subject, sorry. I bought an existing studio with five FM Acoustic 601 amps which power 5 Kinoshita's. My amp for my Subs is called an OTEZ. Have any of you ever heard of that and if so, is it high quality? Could someone use it to power a set of passive nearfields? Thanks, JD Shuff

[Rob G]

Shuffletone

Almost 'anything' put out by, or endorsed by 'Tom Hidley', or 'Shozo Kinoshita' is going to be awesome. It was these two guys that put FM acoustics on the map professionally. But, you also need their consultation to have the system set up right. If they do it it'll be right. I've heard main monitor systems that they have installed that were as accurate as a B & W 801/Krell Audio speaker/amp combo respectivly. So accurate it hurts your feelings. Meaning you won't miss much in your mixes. Pretty much all will be exposed.

Rob G..

[Shuffletone]

The reason I asked about the OTEZ amp is because Mike Cronin gave me this set of Kinoshita nearfields that are supposed to translate really well with my Kinoshita Soffits. I don't use the subs and I was looking for an amp to use with these nearfields. I think they are called KMV1A's. My Kinoshita bigs have horns and I am looking for something that translates 16-20k a little better. I asked Shozo about putting in some super tweeters and his reply was that it would reak havoc on my accuracy because the throw on a super tweeter would hit my ears at a different time than the horn and woofer. By the way, these nearfields rock.

[De chromium cob]

Originally Posted by robdarling

Look into the Audio Research solid state amps. I've used them for years and have really loved their balance of musicality and precision. Not too quick, not to slow, lots of room to breathe. Great amps.

Me too...

[barefoot]

Originally Posted by Yannick

Get a Bryston 3B SST (or 4B SST if you need the power) ........

I'm a fan of the Bryston SST as well. They run cool and efficient like professional amps but the linearity is world class – due in big part to their brilliantly designed output circuitry. They also lessen the need to buy an amp that has more power than what is actually required for the application. The SST retains it high linearity performance right up to the clipping point. So a 150W 3B SST really means 150 Watts of clean output.

Thomas

[robot gigante]

Originally Posted by thethrillfactor

For 802s i liked Pass Labs,Gamut, the older ML's,certain Krells,some Threshold,Boulder,Electrocompaniet and certain Classe's.

Which Classe's?

[thethrillfactor]

Originally Posted by robot gigante

Which Classe's?

If you can swing it a pair of the new CA-M400 mono blocks sound really good.

Its an investment though because they are not cheap.

If that's too much, try an older 401 or a 301 used.

These 2 amps sound like the Bryston ST series but with a little more depth and power.

[robot gigante]

What about the 2200? Is there a big difference between that one and the M400s?

I've got a line on a really good deal for one is why I ask. My speakers are 802's.

Thanks!

[flame Linear]

When not using my Phase linear 700 to heat the studio,
I like Thresholds amps

[oceantracks]

When you are ready to sell your house, car, and other belongings for the love of sound, these are the power amps, and pre amps you will own.

Amazing stuff. The fastest, most open sounding audio gear in the world (no, not a dealer, just someone who wishes they hadn't sold their Spectral preamp years and years back).

http://www.spectralaudio.com/2.htm

[thethrillfactor]

Originally Posted by robot gigante

What about the 2200? Is there a big difference between that one and the M400s?

I've got a line on a really good deal for one is why I ask. My speakers are 802's.

Thanks!

Yeah there is difference in oomph!!


The 2200 is a really good amp, but the mono amps just give you the extra push you really need to hear it all.


Will you be using a sub with your 802's?


If not you will want one.

[SoZo]

If your on a budget... and cant afford Mark Levenson, Bryston, or Pass I love Rotel. great sounding amps. I own one.