New Amplifier shortlist - For a rich, fullbodied sound [EDIT - read Smooth/Warm].

[admin_exported]

Hello,

for those who've been following my issues with my system (see sig) here http://whathifi.com/forums/t/195684.aspx

I've decided to try a new amplifier since swapping my Audiolab 8000a for an old 3020e has made the vocals seem very dry and coarse - alsmost nasaly. So I want a possibly warm/smooth souding amp with a less harsh mid/trebble, but still an open top-end with realistic, clear vocals, etc.

Budget is up to £500 new or second hand, ex-demo, etc.

I'm thinking of a Rega Mira due to some good reviews referencing it sounding very musical, good timing, etc. Also in the frame are Nad 372, Roksan Kandy L3, Arcam A70 or Cyrus 6Vs2, Naim Nait 5 (not i), Creek Evo, all of which can be bought discounted from about £350-£450, which is a real bargain.

I only need two inputs and dont really want tone controls, balance etc. Remote is a plus, nothing more. I will try for a home demo but may not get the chance if I go 2nd hand. Music is mainly pop/rock.

So, any more for the list? Anyone have opinions on the sound of the above, given my tastes? Should I go valve? Should I try Vinyl to get the type of sound I want?

Thanks!

Rich.

 

[Anonymous]

There's a black Arcam A32 on ebay at the moment at an amazing price and going soon. Snap it up, it's perfect for what you want!

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Rich,I've got Quad 22L2s which I"ve currently got with the Arcam A70. Not enough power really for the floorstanders (thinking of adding a P90), but should be adequate for the 12Ls. ÿI"d describe the Arcam sound as very smooth - certainly not harsh in the treble (which is something i'm also looking for). I bought a 2nd hand NAD C352 for our 2nd system the other day but for fun also tried it out with the Quads. There's certainly a real difference in sound.ÿI think the Arcam;s bass was cleaner and better articulated.ÿThe NAD is moreÿforwardÿand you might say more involving for pop/rock. Voices sounded great. ÿBut every time we went back to the Arcam we'd give a little "oh this is nice" sigh. Now we listen to a lot of classical music, for which I think the Arcam is better with the Quads than the NAD. ÿThe Arcam sounds to us more 'refined' that the NAD, however this may or may not be what you are looking for. We find the Arcam/Quad combination is pretty intolerant of poorly recorded material, however, and you get plenty of that in modern pop/rock recordings. For instance, our Nick Cave recordings sounded great with both the Arcam and the Nad (perhaps we preferred the Arcam, but it wasn't by a long way). Radiohead's OK Computer sounded pretty woeful on both, but better on the NAD. The NAD was a little more forgiving of poor material in our view. So I guess every amp has its positives and negatives, and while I"ve tried (probably poorly) to give you a feel for what we've found in listening to the Arcam vs the NAD, trite to say that it's only your ears that matter!

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the advice guys, Arcam does keep coming up as a recommendation and I do like idea. THe A70 can be had for £340 new which is stunning value.

Hmm, wonder if I can get a home trial.......

 

[plastic penguin]

ashworth_rich:Thanks for the advice guys, Arcam does keep coming up as a recommendation and I do like idea. THe A70 can be had for £340 new which is stunning value. Hmm, wonder if I can get a home trial.......

Arcam is the obvious choice for a rich sound. Also think about Nad which, in some ways, is very similar to Arcam. Cyrus is very bright, and I don't think it will fall into the sort of sound your after.

Definitely ARCAM!

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Ashworth-Rich

Another vote for Arcam but I strongly recommend you try to get an A32 as Hughsie suggests. Its a brilliant amp which really gets hold of the bottem end and is a world apart from an A70 imho.

Loaf

 

[Anonymous]

One of the best sounding amps ever made, and can be bought upgraded from these guys. For the money nothing comes close IMHO

http://www.quadfidelity.co.uk/quad-33-upgraded.html

 

[the record spot]

Unlikely this is convenient for you, but Retro Reproduction in Edinburgh have an A80 for £295 (used, but an excellent dealer).

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks again for the all help guys.
Quad is not a brand i've thought about for amps - dont know much about their equipement (speakers aside of course!).

A80 for £295 is also a steal, thanks...

 

[Anonymous]

The Quad 303/33 is regarded by many (including Andrew and me) as being exceptional. Upgraded with present day components they are even better.
Years ago I modified one of these for myself and I still regard it as the best musical experence ever for its power output. (Valve Amps aside)
Coupled with there speakers they are a perfect match and give an high end performance that is both sweet and smooth.

 

[matthewpiano]

ashworth_rich:Thanks for the advice guys, Arcam does keep coming up as a recommendation and I do like idea. THe A70 can be had for £340 new which is stunning value.

Hmm, wonder if I can get a home trial.......

The A70 is a very very average amp with a pretty uninspiring sound. If you are buying Arcam I'd say the A32 is the minimum to go for.

 

[matthewpiano]

I'd also recommend hearing the Denon PMA1500ae which is as good as anything mentioned in this thread. Its got a superb balance between warmth and maintaining clarity and openess. Surprisingly hard to find but worth the effort.

 

[drummerman]

matthewpiano:I'd also recommend hearing the Denon PMA1500ae which is as good as anything mentioned in this thread. Its got a superb balance between warmth and maintaining clarity and openess. Surprisingly hard to find but worth the effort.

Agree, lovely amplifier. Oddly enough I would'nt describe an A32 as 'rich' sounding. Pretty neutral. Something like a Fatman carbon or similar fits your desired attributes more closely.

 

[Anonymous]

Interesting idea, fatman do a £500 valve amp, the 252
But I don't know if its any good or really Hi-Fi...

I guess you are right about valves though, but I wouldn't know where to start for £500!

 

[the record spot]

£500?

New- Icon Audio Stereo 25 (currently on offer with a free valve upgrade normally costing £100)

Used - Quad 33/303 and sometimes an FM4 thrown in, see also 405 power and 44 pre.

See also:-

http://www.hifiworks.co.uk/amps.htm

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks, i'll check it out.
Someone already mentioned the 33/303, pretty legendary stuff
I beleive you can get recon/upgraded/modernised versions (with new caps) for about £400 combined.

 

[Anonymous]

...or should I get a planner 3 and buy "Brothers in Arms" on Vinyl (since that was one of my "problem" recordings)?

I dont think the wife wants anything on top of the Equinox rack though (hence no top-loaders or Vinyl so far)....yes under the thumb.

Does anyone know anything about a budget NAD deck? Cant recall the model....

 

[the record spot]

Budget NAD CD or vinyl? There was a NAD5120 years ago which delivered a better sound that it probably deserved to, an ugly duckling which makes current NAD gear look like an aesthetic delight!

Or their later NAD533? Basically a Rega P2 clone.

CD wise there is the a large range to choose from.

(For valve stuff, I left a link to a vintage hifi kit specialist on my previous post, plenty of valve amps on that site so worth a look if you're interested in that kit).

 

[Anonymous]

the record spot:Budget NAD CD or vinyl? There was a NAD5120 years ago which delivered a better sound that it probably deserved to, an ugly duckling which makes current NAD gear look like an aesthetic delight!

Or their later NAD533? Basically a Rega P2 clone.

CD wise there is the a large range to choose from.

(For valve stuff, I left a link to a vintage hifi kit specialist on my previous post, plenty of valve amps on that site so worth a look if you're interested in that kit).

Sorry yes I meant vinyl, had two NAD CDs and liked the sound. I think its the 533, it was a rega clone for sure.

I did go to the link you shared, they sold recon 33/303 combos for about £400?
I dont know if I could do it though, they look really old inside (especially the transformer) are they really that good?

 

[Anonymous]

..sorry was confusing your posts with someone else - oops!
just looking at your link now.

 

[JoelSim]

You can pick an A85 and P85 combo up on eBay for £500 ish quite often. Much better than the A70

 

[Anonymous]

Yes, they really are!

Upgraded with much larger reservoir caps, plus decoupling caps the circuit boards are just about as good as it gets.

Think about spending much more to get anywhere as good as this will sound, and then it has to be valves, or 'full class A' (Sugden)IMHO.

 

[the record spot]

ashworth_rich:

Sorry yes I meant vinyl, had two NAD CDs and liked the sound. I think its the 533, it was a rega clone for sure.

I did go to the link you shared, they sold recon 33/303 combos for about £400?
I dont know if I could do it though, they look really old inside (especially the transformer) are they really that good?

Never heard an upgraded one, but given the bog standard units go for typically up to £200-£250, £400 for a fully serviced pair, with news cpacitors seems like a fair price. Might be worth trying to source a pair you can hear though, but by all accounts they're extremely good.

 

[Anonymous]

the record spot:£500?

New- Icon Audio Stereo 25 (currently on offer with a free valve upgrade normally costing £100)

Used - Quad 33/303 and sometimes an FM4 thrown in, see also 405 power and 44 pre.

See also:-

http://www.hifiworks.co.uk/amps.htm

I checked out the Icon Audio link - it looks great! I like the idea of it being built to order locally and having no PCBs. Looks nice too. What's the sound like?

 

[d_a_n1979]

Looking at what youre after and through experience i wouldnt aim for the Cyrus 6v2 integrated; its a superb amp but full bodies and rich it isnt!

Id definately agree and aim for Arcam; a decent Arcam FMJ A32 as previously mentioned would be a great buy.

As Joel said as well; the Arcam DiVA A85 & P85 set-up would be very good as well.

If youre happy with 2nd hand separates i'd also consider looing at an Arcam Alpha 10 integrated either on its own and matched with the Arcam Alpha 10P power amp.

Stunning sound which IMO is full bodied and rich with a great soundstage and thumping; smooth and well timed bass.