Help build my list of amps to try

jmusica said:
Would like to try out some amps around a Lumin X1 and Scansonic MB3.5 B. Will do my best to describe my constraints and preferences. Just looking for any subjective thoughts or input, if you're game.

  • Budget ~<$10k, new or used.
  • Form factor is important. Has to be less than 18" deep, around 16" is ideal (width/height don't matter as much). Weight <80 max, prefer <60.
  • Prefer a stereo amp in one chassis, but would consider monoblocks.
  • Not looking for an integrated, but would consider if all else is right. Simpler the better. Lumin out to the amp; I have no other input needs.
  • I listen mostly low-mid volumes, sitting about 9 feet from the front plane of the speakers. Mostly jazz, classic rock, classical (baroque, orchestral, piano), alt-country, world/eclectic. Nothing too heavy really, beyond the occasional Sabbath or Rush disc.
  • I like part of @joeinid 's description of the Enleum: "an open, lit from within sound". Also: big soundstage, placement/separation precision and air, speed, a good thwack of a drum hit, vocals like they're in the room. Organic and musical.

On the list for possible rotating in:
Enleum 23r, Bakoon 41/51, NAD M23, T+A Amp 200, Ayre VX-R, Soulution 311, something Gryphon

(yeah, I suspect these may be very different from each other and some may be challenging to find in budget)
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Minimum power?
 
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The winner: Boulder 1161

Very happy to have found this amp, love the synergy I’m getting even after just a few hours.

I tried several on my original list/this thread, although not all, plus some others. Would be surprised if I found one I didn’t try, that I’d like substantially more than the Boulder.

Many thanks to Mike, Mike and Matt at Suncoast Audio for taking me on the journey. It led somewhere a bit unexpected, but immensely satisfying. They made it an easy, fun process, and gently nudged me in the direction that ended up being best, without ever a hint of pushiness, just sincere interest in helping. Their passion for the hobby is evident; they’re patient and they’re friendly. I heartily recommend dealing with these guys if you have the opportunity.
 
Puma Cat said:
Class A AmpCamp amps run as bridged monos availble from the DIYAudio store.

A whopping, budget-busting $654 for the pair. Gotta build 'em yourself, though.

ACA-Top-View-Wired.jpg

...

Designed by Nelson, so there ya go...
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Humm ... well the Camp Amp is just the ticket for distortion lovers but objectively its performance is abysmal. Check out the review at ASR, (Pass ACA Class A Power Amplifier Review | Audio Science Review (ASR) Forum).

NAD amps based on Purifi technology, such as the M33 or M23 should do a nice job but you don't have to spend that kind of cash for Purifi-based amp in a nice case.

For that check out Nord Nord Three SE 1ET400A MKII Dual Mono Stereo, (here), about US$1950. Also, see the ASR review (3 channel version), (here).

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