Amp Upgrade

[tomorr1949]

My current (ageing) system is Bluesound Vault2, Chord Hugo1 DAC, Roksan Caspian M2, Spender D7.1. Would a new amplifier be a meaningful upgrade?

 

[SteveH72]

I think you need to consider what it is you feel is missing from your system at the moment?
What do you want to achieve or is it just upgrade-itis.
Do you have a budget?

 

[tomorr1949]

Could be upgrade-itis! Some of the inputs aren't working any more on the Roksan and I'm feeding the Hugo into the aux input rather than CD. My thinking was a new amp rather than costly repairs, but I do feel the speakers would benefit from a better amp. Budget £1500 -£1800. Thanks for the reply.

 

[record_spot]

Not seeing any obvious upgrade path there unless you get a used higher end model for your budget. Maybe try repositioning your speakers a little to see if that changes the sound a little in the first instance.

 

[RJW232]

Could be upgrade-itis! Some of the inputs aren't working any more on the Roksan and I'm feeding the Hugo into the aux input rather than CD. My thinking was a new amp rather than costly repairs, but I do feel the speakers would benefit from a better amp. Budget £1500 -£1800. Thanks for the reply.

If it's anolog inputs that don't work anymore, I can't imagine it would be a very complex repair. Soundwise, don't expect huge (if any) improvements from newer amplifiers. A good amp from 15 years ago is still a good amp. A good amp from 35 years ago is still a good amp. The only major change in the last decades is the introduction of switched power supplies and Class D power amps. But they used a lot of time to catch up with Class A/B amps with linear power supplies. They are now almost as good.

 

[Integralista]

My current (ageing) system is Bluesound Vault2, Chord Hugo1 DAC, Roksan Caspian M2, Spender D7.1. Would a new amplifier be a meaningful upgrade?

Hi, you have very good system. If my system, I will upgrade front of the system first. Roksan Caspian M2 is still very balanced and musical amp. I think no need to upgrade. Combination with Spendor D7.1 is very good. I recommend to try streamer Lumin Mini U2 which is a real best in class. I think this will be a big step ahead and improvement of your system. To get real improvement of amp, you will need some very good amp, something like Copland hybrid integrated, Sugden class A or some Audiomat or Canor tube integrated. Spendors love good tube amps. BR.

 

[matthewpianist]

The Roksan issues are quite likely down to dry solder joints and not expensive to fix - less so than selling it for 'parts only' and finding the money for a change that may not give you what you are seeking.

The first question to ask yourself is what are you seeking from a change/upgrade? There are things you might consider, even second hand to get maximum return on your spend, but a scatter-gun approach isn't going to work, and could start an expensive chain of events.

 

[RoA]

Why not just listen to a few new amplifiers and see what you think?

 

[rymidd]

My current (ageing) system is Bluesound Vault2, Chord Hugo1 DAC, Roksan Caspian M2, Spender D7.1. Would a new amplifier be a meaningful upgrade?

i had the Roksan m2 and it was a amp i was happy with. it upgraded to sugden a21 with is around a 20 percent improvement with the right speakers. it sounds clearer and more detailed and a bit warmer and sounds just a powerful in the real world.
also the naim 3 xs look interesting.