Amplifier Upgrade Advice Please

[Excitable Boy]

Hi

I am currently in upgrade mode, and would appreciate your help in putting together a short-list of products to consider. Generally, I am happy with the sound of my current set-up, but am considering an amp change in an effort to add a bit more detail, broaden the soundstage and maybe adding a tiny bit of warmth.

My current set-up is :
Source : Audiolab 8200CD/AVA Rip-N-Play/Squeezebox Touch
Amps : Audiolab 8200P/Q Pre & Power
Speakers : KEF R500

Am very happy with the sources, and love the R500s. My plan is to move to a better integrated, with a budget of up to about £1.7k plus what I can get from selling/trading in the Audiolab amps. The current shortlist is :
- Primare i32
- Music Fidelity M6i
- Bryston B60R
- Roksan Caspian M2.

Any thoughts on my plan and the short list would be gratefully received.

 

[plastic penguin]

TBH, I don't think you'll be disappointed with any of those mentioned. I'd also search out Leema Tucana and Lavardin, although the latter is a little light on features.

 

[jjbomber]

with a budget of up to about £21.5k plus

For that sort of money, you can hire the artist to come and sing in your front room!!!

 

[Excitable Boy]

with a budget of up to about £21.5k plus

For that sort of money, you can hire the artist to come and sing in your front room!!!

Bloody iPads !! Now edited. Thanks 🙂

 

[Jacko]

The Audiolab 8200Q is a good power amp. How about keeping it and trying a new pre-amp? Bryston, Primare and Music Fidelity all have great pre-s which might work well and would be cheaper.

 

[Excitable Boy]

I'd also search out Leema Tucana and Lavardin, although the latter is a little light on features.

Thanks PP - will add the Leema to the list. The Lavardin has no remote which is a bit of a show stopper for me.

 

[Electro]

Some very good amps on your short list but I think you should add the Electrocompaniet ECI3 integrated and they retail at £1925 , it is a solid extremely well built superb sounding amp .

Well worth a listen IMO 🙂

http://www.techradar.com/reviews/audio-visual/hi-fi-and-audio/amplifiers/electrocompaniet-eci-3-618281/review

 

[Macspur]

Some very good amps on your short list but I think you should add the Electrocompaniet ECI3 integrated and they retail at £1925 , it is a solid extremely well built superb sounding amp .

Well worth a listen IMO 🙂

http://www.techradar.com/reviews/audio-visual/hi-fi-and-audio/amplifiers/electrocompaniet-eci-3-618281/review

Beat me to it Electro!

Mac

 

[Wolf75]

I would add the Heed Obelisk Si (with or without the X2 power supply) to your list, it's a beautiful sounding, very musical amp.

 

[Al ears]

Personally I would go straight out and buy that Primare i32.

Although I have not heard this particular amp every bit of Primare kit I have owned has amazed me with it's build and sound quality.

The option to add the multi-media module at a later date should make this choice a no-brainer. 🙂

 

[hoopsontoast]

If you want to keep it as an integrated, see if you can get a demo of the Denon PMA-2020ae, I have the 2000ae and its a cracking amp.

An Audionote Oto may well be worth an audition at that price too, you be supprised how far 10wpc can go

 

[nopiano]

A bit left of field, but I'd want a listen to the Cambridge Audio Azur 851a which retails at c £1200. It has had raves both sides of the Atlantic and would do DAC duties too, if required. But with sale of your Audiolabs, you could afford Electrcompaniet, Primare, Krell and Copland integrateds, not to mention some interesting valve devices, like Prima Luna.

 

[Excitable Boy]

Thanks very much for your input - much food for thought. I have a Primare i32 on home loan now. It's a great looking, beautifully built amp that sounds very crisp and full of detail.....

 

[Excitable Boy]

Thanks very much for your input - much food for thought. I have a Primare i32 on home loan now. It's a great looking, beautifully built amp that sounds very crisp and full of detail.....

 

[Excitable Boy]

PS Why do so few amps in this price bracket have headphone sockets ?

 

[alchemist 1]

If you want to add a bit more warmth try the Yamaha As2000 intergrated amp.

Built to very high standards , sounds superb.

Tone controls, phono stage, All the connections you can think of.

PLUS headphone jack. 🙂