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

[the record spot]

ashworth_rich: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?

No idea I'm afraid - another mag gave it a very favourable review a month or two back, but it's fair to say it gives you a taste of what valve can do rather than being the defining article. For the money though and being built in the UK, I think it's a sterling effort (no monetary pun intended!). The free valve upgrade sounds like a good idea too.

If you can get it, the Eastern Electric Mnimax is another one to think about, but you'll need to find it on a brilliant (used) deal. Best I've seen is £750 at Shadow Audio in Glenrothes.

 

[Anonymous]

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.

Thanks.
I prefer the look of the new gear and it would match my cd72 but will keep my eye out for the Alfa 10.

I think A32 is nearing the top of the list, but i'm still tempted by the Rega Mira, though i've not heard any praise for it on here.

 

[d_a_n1979]

The Rega Mira is a nice amp (i heard it ages ago when i was at a hifi shop in Cheadle) partnered with the Rega Apollo CDP and Rega R5 speakers.

The sound was lovely BUT there wasnt much emphasis on the bass TBH. I think that the Rega sound can be quite neutral sometimes and a bit lean also; definately not full bodied or rich as youre asking for.

Id also take a look at the NAD C352 integrated or the NAD C355BEE integrated; both very good amps with a nice soundstage but not as smooth as the Arcams.

What music do you mainly listen to?

 

[Anonymous]

d_a_n1979:The Rega Mira is a nice amp (i heard it ages ago when i was at a hifi shop in Cheadle) partnered with the Rega Apollo CDP and Rega R5 speakers.

The sound was lovely BUT there wasnt much emphasis on the bass TBH. I think that the Rega sound can be quite neutral sometimes and a bit lean also; definately not full bodied or rich as youre asking for.

Id also take a look at the NAD C352 integrated or the NAD C355BEE integrated; both very good amps with a nice soundstage but not as smooth as the Arcams.

What music do you mainly listen to?

Ahh perhaps Rich and Full bodied were the wrong terms. I am not looking for bass especially, there is plenty of that from the 12L's at the moment. What I dont like is the cold anaytical treble/upper mid from the Audiolab, its too harsh.

So I was using Warm/Full bodied as an antonym to harsh. perhaps warm/smooth are better words?

Picking words to talk about sounds can be difficult, but to be clear i'm not after bass. I just dont want a clincial, forward, bright, harsh sound.

Oh and I listen to Pop/Rock/Acoustic

 

[Andrew Everard]

Having recently tested the Stereo 25 for a forthcoming issue of Gramophone, I agree completely with trs on that one.

 

[d_a_n1979]

Id still go with Arcam

 

[the record spot]

Andrew Everard:Having recently tested the Stereo 25 for a forthcoming issue of Gramophone, I agree completely with trs on that one.

Andrew, did your test use the valve upgrade (I think they put on EL34's)? And without giving the game away ahead of publication, were you surprised by the sound of the Stereo 25, or did it meet your expectation?

 

[Anonymous]

Andrew Everard:Having recently tested the Stereo 25 for a forthcoming issue of Gramophone, I agree completely with trs on that one.

Thanks.
It actually feels quite a daunting prospect - moving to Valves!
I do have a few reservations, having only ever heard solid-state.
I wonder if I could get one on loan! (might be tough since they're made to order

 

[the record spot]

From memory, I think they do a money back deal - 14 day no quibble return. Check their site again though to be sure.

 

[Anonymous]

Look for a deal on an older Musical Fidelity A1 or even a deal on the new one. Approx 30W of class A sweetness and the old models go for under £200. A less likely option is the Sugden class A amps.

 

[Anonymous]

igglebert:Look for a deal on an older Musical Fidelity A1 or even a deal on the new one. Approx 30W of class A sweetness and the old models go for under £200. A less likely option is the Sugden class A amps.

I love the look of the old A1 (and the new one of course).
Could be a potential - didnt know it was class A!

 

[john dolan]

You can cook bacon on it as you listen.

 

[Anonymous]

john dolan:You can cook bacon on it as you listen.

You could cook a 12oz steak very well done on an A1...kind of like it though, but it plays havoc on the electronics - they just melt after a while...

I'm looking at the Icon Audio MB25a or MB90 monoblocks as a future upgrade - valves are certainly where it's at!

 

[Anonymous]

Valves are indeed fantastic but boy do you need to match more considerately than with trannies.

 

[the record spot]

We are still talking hi-fi here right chaps...?

 

[Anonymous]

 

[Anonymous]

My Full class A Onkyo 875 not only cooks the dinner, but heats the room as well.

Lovely in this cold weather, oh it sounds very, very nice as well on music fed with lots of clean and pure electric power.

Sounds rubbish just plugged into the mains as normal though.

 

[Anonymous]

So my shortlist is firming up to be:

Rega Mira, Arcam A32 or A90 or still possibly a NAD (i'm listening to the 3020e right now while on the PC - very nice....smooth as silk!
Also considering Musical Fidelity XT100 as an outsider...

....though I do keep getting swayed by every amp I see on eBay

 

[Anonymous]

Hi,

I had a Rega Mira 3 for a short period of time. I found it very bright sounding. I really don't think you will like it, except perhaps if you were to use a record player with it.

I changed it for a Naim amp which I think would fit your bill much better. Another manufacturer is Audio Analogue (most of their amps have valve preamps and transistor power amps). Recently What HiFi tested one and found it a bit too warm for their liking. I've also heard Arcam has a warm, balanced sound.

I myself don't like a bright, thin sound as well.

 

[matthewpiano]

I'm the same. I don't like a bright thin sound, which is why I suggested the Denon PMA1500AE. It seems to continually get ignored here by anyone but myself and Drummerman (perhaps because it hasn't been reviewed by WHFS&V or because its not one of the 'in' names to have on your hi-fi), but if you don't at least audition it you'll be missing out on something rather special.

 

[d_a_n1979]

Id also stay away from the Arcam DiVA 90 as well; bags of power but gutless and clinical IMO; not an Arcam sound at all!

The Rega Mira; as above, can sound bright as well.

A NAD C320BEE amp could be in the running; with the right speakers it has a lovely soundstage and power where needed as well.

You could also consider a M/F XA-1/XA-2 or XA100/X200R integrated as well. Smooth and lovely sounding amps

 

[Anonymous]

I bought an FMJ A32 last year with the phono stage fitted for £750.

Theres one on e-bay buy now £580.

Go for it. A fantastic amp. Can't praise it enough.

 

[Anonymous]

My NAD C325BEE never sounds bright or thin, very rich smooth with excellent bass too. I got mine for £200 brand new with 5 years warranty.

ÿ

I can't believe the power too 50W? More like 100W! ÿ

 

[matthewpiano]

Pmaninit:
My NAD C325BEE never sounds bright or thin, very rich smooth with excellent bass too. I got mine for £200 brand new with 5 years warranty.

ÿ

I can't believe the power too 50W? More like 100W! ÿ

Agreed. The C325BEE is a superb amp and punches well above its price. I had one before my Cambridge 740A and regretted making the change. It was only when I bought the Denon that I felt I'd significantly improved on the NAD.

 

[Anonymous]

Choices, choices! The A32 is bloody good for the sort of prices being stated. The MF XT100 is pretty special too but less flexible. I was in this position a couple of weeks ago and just decided to get a special upgrade & rebuild done as it was more interesting. Without auditioning it's a game! I don't think you can go wrong with the A32; powerful, non-offensive or characterful, upgradable with power as a biamp or pre/power, plenty of inputs, tone controls, the list goes on.