Amp Opinions?

Mr Peabody

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Sound quality is subjective I know but I thought I'd throw this out for discussion.

I currently use the Levinson 532h which is my sweet spot personally for amp sound, pretty much. I would like to have a high current amp but the next Levinson is $20k. The 532h uses banks of smaller capacitors for quick response but isn't actually high current like typical Levinson.

When I say sweet spot, I like a quick amp with control but not sterile. Like control with micro/macro dynamics. Pass is too polite for example, although I do like Pass. Bryston is some dry and seems to lack the micro/macro I like. These are my opinions, both good amps. On paper D'Agostino would meet this but I have yet to hear the same characters personally as stated in reviews.

Here's the question, is there any power amps under $10k that is high current and would be some upgrade from the 532h? Like a Levinson without the name. I know some may not even be a Levinson fan but this is all from my perspective, smile. Also, not meaning to start any arguments over amps but if I didn't give my opinion you wouldn't have a reference for a personal enough suggestion.
 
Constellation Inspiration perhaps. It might be a couple of grand above but it seems one of the unbelievable bargains in high end audio.


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Luxman M700u. With your speakers, you don’t need any more power.

Frankly, if it was ME, based on your desired characteristics, I would look at a NAIM system. NAIM is super dynamic, super FAST, musical, 3D, never fatiguing.

Since you have such efficient speakers, you could look at:

SuperNAIT 3 with a HiCAP DR.

Strongly recommend a NAIM source to go with it and don’t forget you need NAIM speaker cables!

One last suggestion: SimAudio 760A


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I like Naim, really don't want to change most of the system. Sim, to me, has even more of that Canadian house sound than Bryston.

I will look at the Luxman. I got the impression from comments Luxman leaned some polite. Does T+A have anything that fits the criteria?

Luxman M700u. With your speakers, you don’t need any more power.

Frankly, if it was ME, based on your desired characteristics, I would look at a NAIM system. NAIM is super dynamic, super FAST, musical, 3D, never fatiguing.

Since you have such efficient speakers, you could look at:

SuperNAIT 3 with a HiCAP DR.

Strongly recommend a NAIM source to go with it and don’t forget you need NAIM speaker cables!

One last suggestion: SimAudio 760A


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Nope. Nothing from T+A in your budget range.


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Looks like $32k and I'm not sure if that's for a pair. I don't have it like that, LOL But if someone was to gift me a pair...……
Thanks for the reply though.

Of course there’s a significant difference in pricing for EU gear in the US, compared to Europe.

In the EU they are 20K/ pair, and there’s also a newer slightly smaller sibling AVM Ovation MA 6.2 for 15K/pair (newer, even more favorably reviewed).


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if you are patient and enjoy the hunt ...you can often find the Levinson No536s used for $15k pair or less used and they would go really well with your No526 Preamp! I've seen the No534 used for $10k or slightly under used. I own the No536s and they are really good amps.

George
 
I"m with Mike on the Naim gear. I"ve always loved it for the price ranges it competes in. What most folks just don't seem to deal with is how components work together in a system. Levinson may sound great in your system and not as good in others. Same with Naim or anything else for that matter. It's why I need to work with dealers who have a nice assortment of gear. I've rarely gone into Mikes (when visiting family in Sarasota) and not seen totally different systems set up. The last time down, he showed me how great the Harbeth 40.2's were. Heck, I've heard them at friends houses and even at Walters (the distributor). I have always liked them, but not like Mike had them set up. WE could have listened for hours and hours, but I had a timeline due to family things. He was using top MSB gear and a full loom of AQ Dragon.

I forgot what pre you are using? Will you change out to the same brand pre? Just things to keep in mind as we all tell you how great our own amps are etc... lol. ;).
 
I"m with Mike on the Naim gear. I"ve always loved it for the price ranges it competes in. What most folks just don't seem to deal with is how components work together in a system. Levinson may sound great in your system and not as good in others. Same with Naim or anything else for that matter. It's why I need to work with dealers who have a nice assortment of gear. I've rarely gone into Mikes (when visiting family in Sarasota) and not seen totally different systems set up. The last time down, he showed me how great the Harbeth 40.2's were. Heck, I've heard them at friends houses and even at Walters (the distributor). I have always liked them, but not like Mike had them set up. WE could have listened for hours and hours, but I had a timeline due to family things. He was using top MSB gear and a full loom of AQ Dragon.

I forgot what pre you are using? Will you change out to the same brand pre? Just things to keep in mind as we all tell you how great our own amps are etc... lol. ;).

No doubt we all have our own biased opinions and mine is certainly no less biased than most :D I had suggested the Levinson amps as he already has the matching Levinson Preamp and the synergy of those components is quite good. To start swapping out everything close to his budget could lead to more of a lateral move than a definitive upgrade. Just my 2c and not worth much more! :D
 
No doubt we all have our own biased opinions and mine is certainly no less biased than most :D I had suggested the Levinson amps as he already has the matching Levinson Preamp and the synergy of those components is quite good. To start swapping out everything close to his budget could lead to more of a lateral move than a definitive upgrade. Just my 2c and not worth much more! :D


Dawg, I hope I didn't upset folks with my statement, but as we all know we bought our gear, because we love it. It works for us and most will recommend what we own. It's not a bad thing either as folks can follow peoples posts and what we like and don't like.

I stated similar to you IRT keeping your electronics the same. Synergy is the most important thing for electronics. This is why I personally wish we had more active speakers. I missed the fact that he said he has the matching preamp. The only caution I have is that Levinson has changed their designers often over the years. It's mostly been by committee. If he gets a new amp, it probably isn't as similar to the older preamp, so the synergy may not be there. It's just something to think about as another variable.

This is why it's so important to bet an amp into his system to see how it works.

If I was in OP's situation, I'd think amp LAST. The Preamp is the most important piece of the puzzle. So many think that changing amps is the best way to go, when in fact, if you aren't getting what you want, look at the pre first. I was at Ayre last summer and visiting with friends there who talked about preamp over amp. WE then went into the listening area and they showed me. I've felt that all along and after that demonstration, to me, it's the reality.
 
Dawg, I hope I didn't upset folks with my statement, but as we all know we bought our gear, because we love it. It works for us and most will recommend what we own. It's not a bad thing either as folks can follow peoples posts and what we like and don't like.

I stated similar to you IRT keeping your electronics the same. Synergy is the most important thing for electronics. This is why I personally wish we had more active speakers. I missed the fact that he said he has the matching preamp. The only caution I have is that Levinson has changed their designers often over the years. It's mostly been by committee. If he gets a new amp, it probably isn't as similar to the older preamp, so the synergy may not be there. It's just something to think about as another variable.

This is why it's so important to bet an amp into his system to see how it works.

If I was in OP's situation, I'd think amp LAST. The Preamp is the most important piece of the puzzle. So many think that changing amps is the best way to go, when in fact, if you aren't getting what you want, look at the pre first. I was at Ayre last summer and visiting with friends there who talked about preamp over amp. WE then went into the listening area and they showed me. I've felt that all along and after that demonstration, to me, it's the reality.

Hey ... I can't imagine anyone gettin upset with your post! :D Totally valid for sure! Of note and the reason I suggested he might want to consider the newer Levinson amps is that he has the newer matching preamp already that was designed by the same team led by Todd E who came to Harman from Krell several years ago and both his 526 and the 534 or 536 have the same general architecture. I had the 526 in my room for a while with the 536s and they do work really well. I just opted for a tube front end recently after trying several different preamps and found one that worked well with those amps. And I certainly agree that without the ability to do extensive testing you can often get best results matching gear. Cheers!

George
 
....

If I was in OP's situation, I'd think amp LAST. The Preamp is the most important piece of the puzzle. So many think that changing amps is the best way to go, when in fact, if you aren't getting what you want, look at the pre first. I was at Ayre last summer and visiting with friends there who talked about preamp over amp. WE then went into the listening area and they showed me. I've felt that all along and after that demonstration, to me, it's the reality.

If you are correct and one's preamp is just a switch box (just an analog bypass box), then the most important equipment is the DAC feeding the switch box (preamp).
 
I use a darTZeel NHB-108 which I am a huge fan of. A used one might not be to far outside your budget...
 
MEP, nothing wrong with my current amp, it replaced a Pass X250. It's not like I have to upgrade or unhappy. The JBL's seem to sound better with some volume to them, I was wondering if an amp with higher current would get them off the ground better at lower volumes. The 532h is a very good amp, differentially balanced, yet a different design than typical Levinson amps,, it's not exactly a high current amp. I find it to be nicely flat and accurate, it doesn't add anything, shows the difference in bass response between recordings etc. I'm just sort of exploring, so far it seems many of the complaints on pricing is warranted. Sometimes looking over the fence helps you realize your yard is fine, LOL

Guys, the only thing I was exploring was a possible amp change. I love the 526, it has a much nicer sound than the 326, IMO. I do try to follow same brand and keep with brands that have synergy.

I actually have a Coda CSX, it is a good amp if looking for solid state leaning toward a tube sound. In my system the 532h is better/preferred. My friend has a couple of the Coda Class A amps, I forgot the model, they are great amps, just don't think they are what I am looking for. Good suggestion though.

I read a review on the Constellation 1.0, the reviewer had Levinson amps for comparison and Revel Salons. I didn't like his impressions on the 1.0 bass response but in the end it was his preferred amp to listen to. I'll have to track Constellation down at my next audio show.

The Luxman M700u is worth a listen as well, good reviews. It doesn't look to be balanced though. It has XLR inputs but not differentially designed.
 
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