Best amp for under £500 for detail, and large orchestral classical

[pkerai]

As you can see from the title and my equipment.

Im looking for an amp specifically for this kind of music.

Coupled with the Audiolab DAC it should be amazing.

Any suggestions much appreciated.

 

[pkerai]

Forgot to mention It will mainly if not solely be used for classical (world) music and some electronic chillout music.

Something like strauss or orchestral including strings is the main use.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi, strongly suggest you put the Rega Brio-R on your list for auditioning in that price range, you'll be pleased you did.

Happy hunting.

 

[pkerai]

Rega brio may lack the detail im after.

If its anything to go by the rega dac was inferior to the audiolab 8200CD dac.

It sounded more smooth, warmer and for jazz sort of music.

Correct me if im wrong but it doesnt dig into the detail, nor convey layers as other brands do.

 

[Shanka]

Hi,
I am not sure on this as I see you currently have a CYRUS Amp ant this may be a bit too smooth but saw this Yamaha amp AS1000 which was on for 600 now £200( retailed at £1k ) which is reviewed on this site.

I have heard one and quite liked the power and smooth delivery but wasn't overly punchy so may work well with your taste in music , I also like the look but that is my view and if you were willing to look secondhand.

Link http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/230818040883?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:VRI&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2661

Failing that new maybe a Marantz Pearl Lite as they come up for £500 ex dem quite often.

As you have Cyrus and if you are happy with that style of sound why not look at ex dem Cyrus 8 or new 6 ?

Have fun, just a couple of ideas to look through

 

[Rethep]

If your speakers can handle it, some secondhand valve-amp might do the trick. My Audio Innovations has been sold 1/2 year ago for that amount of money.

 

[Shanka]

Maybe disregard my suggestions as you just said you didn't like smooth, however a tad over budget but great value at the price would be this, http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sugden-Mystro-New-/140782231910?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Amplifiers&hash=item20c7466166 or look into Cyrus ex dem as suggested

 

[matthewpiano]

You're going to have to go pre-owned to get what you want I think.

There is a Naim Nait 5i here:

http://www.2ndhandhifi.co.uk/amplification/naim-nait-5i-integrated-amplifier-2/

I notice Fanthorpes have a pre-owned Audiolab 8200A for £449 and also a pre-owned Creek Evolution 2 for the same price:

http://www.fanthorpes.co.uk/p0/preowned-equipment/281060.htm

Finally, if you can stretch the budget a bit, there is a great deal on a pre-owned Musical Fidelity M3i here:

http://www.audioemotion.co.uk/pre_owned.php

Hopefully one of these links will be helpful.

 

[paradiziac]

Sugden Mystro on eBay:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140782231910

Don't come up often, mine's staying where it is...

 

[pkerai]

I must thank you all for your responses.

I must say Im glad to see using their equipment for quality music!

Other kinds just arent as important! Or dont require audiophile equipment!

I have the cyrus 8 which Im not really happy with. It doesnt do the Audiolab DAC the justice.

Furthermore, something else I for got to mention is whether having tonal adjustments is a good idea with classical music or indeed with these sort of amps.

I would also like to have 2 sets of speakers setup with the amp-adding to the orchestral setup.

And may I add with the option of choosing between the pairs as well as having both.

 

[pkerai]

How about the

Cambridge Audio Azur 840A

V2 of course.

 

[nlanks]

Not a huge amount of knowledge on Cyrus as never owned any, but aren't thy upgradable? Would that be an option to convert it to a higher spec model - all the details and options are on their website. Perhaps someone with more Cyrus knowledge can expand on this.

 

[Big Nads and Woofer]

Try these http://www.templeaudio.net/products.html

I have the Mono blocks running off SLA Batteries and the level of detail is excellent for the money.

For under £500 you could buy a premamp and monoblocks and they offer a 60 day trial.

 

[pkerai]

May not be good due to mono audio channel.

Im listening to soundstage music here

Plus I need tone controls And two sets of speakers attached.

Regards.

 

[The_Lhc]

May not be good due to mono audio channel.

Im listening to soundstage music here

Umm, you buy two of them, one for each speaker...

 

[hoopsontoast]

If you are planning on using two sets of speakers in the same room then any old amp will do TBH.

Just buy one pair of better speakers, then invest in an amp IMO