Amp alternatives at £2k?

I'm likely to be in a position shortly where I will be changing my amp. Thought it might be a good idea to see if you could suggest any alternatives to go listen to.

I presently use a Nait 5 with a hicap powering a pair of Linn Kabers.
Now I've listened to a reasonable amount of gear, and happen to like the "naim" style of sound.
For example, I've heard meridian and MF, both of which I think sounds a little too yawnable. Another option would be something like the Belcanto which I've heard at WMs. However, I don't think that's quite my cup of tea either, as whilst it's amazing at what it does, I find it a little dry and lacking in air (just my opinion).

So my initial thought would be to replace the Nait with a 112 pre amp and add a 200 power amp. Total cost would be about £1100.
Of course alternative B would be to sell the Nait and hicap and use the total amount available (approx £2k) for a replacement amp.
I don't care whether it's integrated or pre-power. A valve is probably not a good match for my speakers, and it needs to be pretty "forward" for my musical taste.

Got any suggestions? Preferably second hand/ex dem so that I can get the most for the cash.

 

oh go on, try a valve amp!!

theyre not all warm and mushy u know .


how about a nice Graaf Gm20? second hand for about £1900-£2000. You would need a pre though.

A second hand Gamut?

A classe?

tell you what was quite nice - Conrad Johnson Mf2700 - solid state 250w p/ch - I see them second hand for about £1300.

ermm oh I dunno, I'd want a big valve amp, so Im the wrong person to ask!!

another alternative - have you considered going active on the kabers?

Cheers
Chris

 

Bottle>

I have heard some valve amps and have been incredibly impressed, as they are obviously VERY good at certain things.
Having said that, what they're good at is not my personal area of focus, and the valve amps I've heard fall a little short in this area.

On top of that, I really don't think that my Kabers would be suitable for valve, they're just too inefficient.

Of course another option would be to replace the Kabers with something like a pair of LV Auditoriums, but that is frankly well outside my price bracket.

I did consider going active. However, I've read around the area, and get the impression that unless I swap to Linn amps, that it won't be that easy. I've heard full Linn systems, and find them a little too clinical for my personal tastes.

 

All fair and reasonable stuff! - apart from the inefficiency thing - - the GM20 for example is 100watts per channel - and thats class A valve watts - they could drive a tank! , being output transformerless, you get a very clean agile sound too, not what you'd think of as a typical valve sound ..

Henry T has a Gamut, he'd be a good person to ask about those, and the CJ MF2700 is a great sounding solid state powerhouse, and its not cold sounding either.

You'll have to keep us informed with how your auditioning goes?

 

Why?

 

Moon I5, used of course

This amp is capable of seriously upsetting Naimee's everywhere IMHO

 

From what I've read, I've only seen two solutions:
1. Use linn amps with a linn card
2. Use Naim amps with a SNAXOS (of whatever the name of it is)

As mentioned, I've not been that impressed by the complete Linn systems I've heard, just my opinion of course.
Ref the Naim option, there's a lot of debate on their forums about going active and using x3 amps (which is what I'd need for the Kabers) or just a single stereo amp of the same overall cost.
The concensus appears to be that the single amp actually sounds better. It would be nice to be able to dem that, but frankly that's not exactly too realistic as the kabers have been discontinued for several years.

 

I will say one thing here, the amp (B/C) is totaly transparent, so only gives what it gets. bear this in mind when hooking one up to a CD5i, the gamut D200 is good also, has more air, and upper freqency openiness, should get a used one for £1800, or a Pass X 150, proper class 'a' power.
A dynavector HX1.2, powers not bad, an earthy Fave to consider. Wm

 

Don't know what the cost is in the UK, but it may be worth giving a s/h Accuphase integrated a listen - if you can find one. I believe they suffer terrible depreciation, so should probably be avoided new in the UK/US.
My Aura is still in hospital, so I'm using a little Luxman integrated which rocks - although the Harbeths are an easy drive.

 

If you wanted to go the active route, you could use any commercial active crossover. You just have to know the crossover frequency and choose a suitable slope.

I can't comment on whether this would be the way to go or not, just that there's no magic Linn speaker ingredient that excludes the use of non Linn/Naim preamp/crossover/power amp solutions.

Alternatively, the Sugden Masterclass Integrated class A amp could be good for you, although at £3,150 retail it may be beyond your budget, even if you sell the Nait and Hicap. Perhaps a used Masterclass Integrated would be worth looking into.

 

7v>

I've listened to Sugden kit before. Seemed very similar to a valve sound, i.e wonderful in certain areas, but frankly not what I'm looking for.

 

if penance hadn't bought those avis...they would have been a good choice...let us know how you find them won't you pen.??

maybe try michell alectos, however, I had a pair, and towards the end, I think they were a tad clinical and correct...you may not like this kind of thing...fine amps nevertheless..

 

I sure will mate, just worried about Yaboo's comment, something about if they have grey case
ah well

 

Not true - as I keep on telling you! Look at their web-site! Only the first 15W is class A. The remainder is A/B. Nothing wrong with this (actually a good compromise between sound and cost) - but it's NOT 150W class A. IME full class A makes quite a difference (and not just to the leccy bills).

 

Just seeing if you were on your toes besides, we haven't had an LC recommendation yet , still the pass X series does sound sound pretty bloody good, if a little exsorbatant on the mains

 

Agreed, and they look bloody awesome in the skin.
I got to listen to some Pass gear the other day (through the "Rushmore" speakers) and I really liked what they did... Didn't seem to be too woosie on the bass either (although I didn't get a long enough listen).
S/H on audiogon seems to be the route (providing you can rent space on an Antonov to transport them).
But the leccie bill is a worry...
BTW, Graham, have you heard heard the Avantgarde "Trio" system? Right up your street, if a little on the pricey / large side.

 

being a contrary sort i say get yourself a nac 82 (i've seen some bubbling around the 1100 quid mark) and use the nait as a power amp until you can get a 2nd hand 250.
cheers


julian

 

£1100 and a Nait 5 should turn into a second hand 72/250, perhaps a lesser preamp if remote is essential. In the event you don't like the result passing the kit on will be easy and cost neutral.

I'd try this before diving into exotic OTL valve amps driving 4 Ohm speakers.

Paul

 

I heard the Pass labs Aleph amp against the CJ MF2700 and it ate it up and spat out the pieces....

The CJ is so powerful that the overhead lights DIM when you fire it up... this is one beefy MF!! (and I dont mean musical fidelity)

Havent heard the X series though, and maybe they are better..

NB
Steve (7_V) has some unused crimson monoblocks that I wonder if he might sell on... a good value way of getting lots of power..if he wants to sell them?

Chris

 

Interesting question. The Sugdens are class 'A'. In theory this should give a more natural (truthful) and less distorted sound. What exactly is lacking ... detail, slam? Any theories W_M?