Amplifier for ProAc D18

[sa2013]

I heard Naim with D18s, sounds pretty good. Quite detailed, rounded. Bass wasn't overbearing.

Thanks. Which Naim was it? Did you find bass to be overbearing with D18 and some other amp? It is just right for my liking and my room.

 

[boshk]

I heard Naim with D18s, sounds pretty good. Quite detailed, rounded. Bass wasn't overbearing.

Thanks. Which Naim was it? Did you find bass to be overbearing with D18 and some other amp? It is just right for my liking and my room.

Naim XS2 and the CD5XS. I didnt find the bass overbearing at all. It was actually a very nice match.

We listened to Diana Krall Love Scenes, Eva Cassidy and Brubeck Time Out, all CDs.

He did have the volume a bit too high at one point and her high notes/pitch was a bit.....annoying/piercing but I think thats with all speakers.

Bass wise, at normal listening levels, I thought was quite subtle, not gone but not over powering. The mids and highs were quite detailed.

I wouldnt say it was smooth rounded like the B&W CM8 which are warmer and rounded, it was sharp.

sorry for the poor description, I dont know the terms.

 

[sa2013]

Naim XS2 and the CD5XS. I didnt find the bass overbearing at all. It was actually a very nice match.

We listened to Diana Krall Love Scenes, Eva Cassidy and Brubeck Time Out, all CDs.

He did have the volume a bit too high at one point and her high notes/pitch was a bit.....annoying/piercing but I think thats with all speakers.

Bass wise, at normal listening levels, I thought was quite subtle, not gone but not over powering. The mids and highs were quite detailed.

I wouldnt say it was smooth rounded like the B&W CM8 which are warmer and rounded, it was sharp.

sorry for the poor description, I dont know the terms.

ok thanks

 

[sa2013]

I've listened to Accuphase e460 and Pass int-150 with D18's. To be honest I couldn't tell one from another. This was at the volume I am comfortable with, although the dealer put the volume too high for my liking initially and was trying to get me listen to his own recordings, but I insisted on using the cd I brought with me.

Not really sure what to make of this, perhaps my hearing isn't that good, or they just sound... well, the same. Will be interesting to get one of these amps for home demo and compare it to my Marantz.

 

[matt49]

I've listened to Accuphase e460 and Pass int-150 with D18's. To be honest I couldn't tell one from another. This was at the volume I am comfortable with, although the dealer put the volume too high for my liking initially and was trying to get me listen to his own recordings, but I insisted on using the cd I brought with me.

Not really sure what to make of this, perhaps my hearing isn't that good, or they just sound... well, the same. Will be interesting to get one of these amps for home demo and compare it to my Marantz.

I'm not at all surprised they sounded the same to you. They're both very well regarded amps that operate (almost entirely) in Class A and have big reserves of peak power.

Assuming you think these amps represent a significant improvement on your Marantz, then you'll be faced with a choice between the Pass Labs and Accuphase that'll be based on factors other than SQ: price, functionality (e.g. tone controls), looks, perceived value, support network etc. There's absolutely nothing wrong with using these other factors.

Matt

 

[sa2013]

I've listened to Accuphase e460 and Pass int-150 with D18's. To be honest I couldn't tell one from another. This was at the volume I am comfortable with, although the dealer put the volume too high for my liking initially and was trying to get me listen to his own recordings, but I insisted on using the cd I brought with me.

Not really sure what to make of this, perhaps my hearing isn't that good, or they just sound... well, the same. Will be interesting to get one of these amps for home demo and compare it to my Marantz.

I'm not at all surprised they sounded the same to you. They're both very well regarded amps that operate (almost entirely) in Class A and have big reserves of peak power.

Assuming you think these amps represent a significant improvement on your Marantz, then you'll be faced with a choice between the Pass Labs and Accuphase that'll be based on factors other than SQ: price, functionality (e.g. tone controls), looks, perceived value, support network etc. There's absolutely nothing wrong with using these other factors.

Matt

That makes me wonder however, should I try something less expensive and see if that sounds good to me. After all, those amps are about three times of what I paid for my speakers.

I did start with high end on purpose though, I wanted to be sure I can hear difference between my current amp and others.

 

[matt49]

That makes me wonder however, should I try something less expensive and see if that sounds good to me. After all, those amps are about three times of what I paid for my speakers.

I did start with high end on purpose though, I wanted to be sure I can hear difference between my current amp and others.

I think that's absolutely right. There's no point in spending more money than you need to.

Matt

 

[sa2013]

Has anyone heard the new Krell's integrated, Vanguard. The specs look impressive, an optional ethernet streamer can be fitted, looks interesting.