Question New integrated amplifier for PMC GB1

[radiorog]

Something worth bearing in mind as it might help is that we had brand new H90's on sale @ £362 (RRP £1500).

How long ago was this Rick, and when are your next lot in?

 

[MUSICRAFT]

How long ago was this Rick, and when are your next lot in?

I’d have to check but I believe the last H90 was sold in 2019. No more as the H90 has been replaced with the H95 also @ a RRP of £1500 btw. Besides which we’re also no longer supporting them.

 

[MUSICRAFT]

In fact, your suggestion of adding a good streaming pre amplifier probably makes a lot of sense.

Try and avoid a pre amp with an which has a somewhat upfront and direct presentation otherwise it might unbalance the rest of your system.

 

[radiorog]

I’d have to check but I believe the last H90 was sold in 2019. No more as the H90 has been replaced with the H95 also @ a RRP of £1500 btw. Besides which we’re also no longer supporting them.

Dang. I remember when you were selling them. Gutted i didnt have the money for a 360....

 

[rainsoothe]

Thanks for your answer.
It's probably worth the extra money on a preamp / dac. Others are recommending it to me too. I'll check Cambridge even if it's a little higher than my budget.

If it's too dear, I think the CXN v2 has the same functionality. And also I'd look into other brands as well, before making any purchase.

 

[RoA]

Dang. I remember when you were selling them. Gutted i didnt have the money for a 360....

I did and bought one of Rick. Fantastic amp (H90). Sold that and later bought an H120. Hegel make very good amplifiers imho.

 

[plastic penguin]

I've got a lot of experience with Rotel amplification and their watts are not their for a marketing show. They have current rich power rather than current starved wattage. In the RB-870BX you've got a rock solid engine. So my advise will be to hold on to the RB-870BX and look at adding a streaming pre amplifier such as Auralic's Altair. The Altair should offer an uplift in performance throughout the fq. range and regardless of the genre of music you listen to. You should be able to find a demo or a used Altair at or within your budget.

Correct me if I'm wrong, it doesn't really matter how good the current is if the tonal balance isn't right then its no good for the PMCs.

 

[plastic penguin]

I did and bought one of Rick. Fantastic amp (H90). Sold that and later bought an H120. Hegel make very good amplifiers imho.

Can I ask, DM, what speakers do you run with the Hegel?

Just out of interest, how many analogue inputs does the Hegel have?

 

[MUSICRAFT]

Correct me if I'm wrong, it doesn't really matter how good the current is if the tonal balance isn't right then its no good for the PMCs.

It's a two way street. With all things being equal it's preferable to avoid components where as the wick is turned and the system gets louder but not much else happens other than then system sounding lacklustre. It's akin to the lights being on but no ones at home. Anyway, like I've said before it's better to have current rich power rather then current starved marketing and brochure impressive but ultimately somewhat weedy 'paper' watts.

Power is nothing without energy. No guts. No glory.

Besides which and in addition to the above I've already addressed matter of system presentation/tonality in my last post to the OP. Hence why I've suggested Auralic's Altair streaming pre amplifier.

 

[RoA]

Hi PP

I use Kef Actives. With the Hegel 120 I used Quad S2's.

The H90 has a couple of analogue in's, the 120 also has a set of balanced ones.

 

[plastic penguin]

Hi PP

I use Kef Actives. With the Hegel 120 I used Quad S2's.

The H90 has a couple of analogue in's, the 120 also has a set of balanced ones.

Nice one. I've no experience with Quad equipment or Hegel. Presumably you use the Hegel with the actives as a preamp, or are they two separate entities?

 

[RoA]

Nice one. I've no experience with Quad equipment or Hegel. Presumably you use the Hegel with the actives as a preamp, or are they two separate entities?

I just use Kef LS50W Metas these days. The Hegel/Quads were moved on.

 

[rainsoothe]

Hi PP

I use Kef Actives. With the Hegel 120 I used Quad S2's.

The H90 has a couple of analogue in's, the 120 also has a set of balanced ones.

I love those quads, and for some reason, I almost always forget to recommend them

 

[plastic penguin]

I just use Kef LS50W Metas these days. The Hegel/Quads were moved on.

I love those quads, and for some reason, I almost always forget to recommend them

I was trying to get a handle and if it helps the OP....

 

[Sliced Bread]

Good timing.
How about getting a demo of one of these?

Electrocompaniet ECI 80D review

A sophisticated-sounding integrated amplifier

www.whathifi.com

I demo’d a much older amp and source from the same brand back when the GB1’s first came out. I thought it was a lovely combination, especially with classical

 

[Al ears]

Good timing.
How about getting a demo of one of these?

Electrocompaniet ECI 80D review

A sophisticated-sounding integrated amplifier

www.whathifi.com

I demo’d a much older amp and source from the same brand back when the GB1’s first came out. I thought it was a lovely combination, especially with classical

you do realise it's about 3 times his budget?

 

[Sliced Bread]

you do realise it's about 3 times his budget?

I must have missed that bit

 

[Al ears]

I must have missed that bit

You are not the only one
See very first post