Recomendations please

[hybridauth_Facebook_592188533]

Can anyone recommend any amps to go with my speakers, I am needing a smooth, laidback, full sound, my ears are particularly sensitive to the upper mid-range, I need something easy to live with and listen to.

The current amps are Arcam A85 and P85, with a REL subwoofer.

Have been considering a tube integrated and possibly Quad solid state.

I don't need massive volume, as the room is only 11 foot square.

My speakers are B+W Nautilus 804, I really dont want to change those!

Thank you in advance for any replies and help 🙂

 

[Al ears]

Can anyone recommend any amps to go with my speakers, I am needing a smooth, laidback, full sound, my ears are particularly sensitive to the upper mid-range, I need something easy to live with and listen to.

The current amps are Arcam A85 and P85, with a REL subwoofer.

Have been considering a tube integrated and possibly Quad solid state.

I don't need massive volume, as the room is only 11 foot square.

My speakers are B+W Nautilus 804, I really dont want to change those!

Thank you in advance for any replies and help 🙂

Not sure why you felt the need for a subwoofer with those speakers considering your room size but whatever. I'd have thought those 804's would perform much better in a bigger room. The 804's are efficient but can dip down to 3 ohm, however, this shouldn't be too much of a problem for a decent tube amp.

Can you tell us how much you are considering spending on a replacement for the Arcam set-up?

 

[CnoEvil]

The brand that comes to mind is Pathos. It combines the lovely liquid sound of Valves, with the power and control of a Solid State Power Amp.

Others brands that might be worth a look are Mc Intosh, Audio Analogue, Electrocompaniet and Unison Research Unico range.

If you go with Valves, would need something pretty gutsy from the likes of Icon Audio.

 

[hybridauth_Facebook_592188533]

cheers al ears, im looking to spend £2.600/£3000 at a push,most of my system was purchased used.we love a bargain!

 

[Al ears]

cheers al ears, im looking to spend £2.600/£3000 at a push,most of my system was purchased used.we love a bargain!

Don't we just.

If you fancy valve integrated without the hassle you can't do a lot better than the Primaluna Dialogue Premium HP.

If you want solid state and keep the subwoofer attached then the Parasound Halo 2.1 Integrated should also be considered.

 

[plastic penguin]

Can anyone recommend any amps to go with my speakers, I am needing a smooth, laidback, full sound, my ears are particularly sensitive to the upper mid-range, I need something easy to live with and listen to.

The current amps are Arcam A85 and P85, with a REL subwoofer.

Have been considering a tube integrated and possibly Quad solid state.

I don't need massive volume, as the room is only 11 foot square.

My speakers are B+W Nautilus 804, I really dont want to change those!

Thank you in advance for any replies and help 🙂

Generally any frequency imbalance is down to poor synergy. I know you're not keen to get rid of the speakers but those speakers were known IIRC for being on the 'edgey' side of comfortable.

I agree with the previous poster: Those speakers are too large for your room.

Personally I would listen to some PMC Twenty 21s. Arcam and PMC are a great match and the smaller stand mount speakers will give you a more airy sound.

If you're determined to keep the speakers, the 804s need a gutsy amp. But a powerful amp and large floorstanders could only complicate the situation further.

Regardless, you must audition, audition, audition... until the cows turn blue.

 

[lindsayt]

I love a 2nd hand hi-fi bargain too.

Here's a few suggestions:

http://www.ebay.de/itm/Top-Pioneer-SA-9500-MKII-frisch-revidiert-hervorragender-Zustand-Revised-/291786413984?hash=item43efd357a0:g:8ZMAAOSwR5dXTX5w

http://www.ebay.de/itm/Onkyo-Integra-M-5570-P3370-Endstufe-Vorverstarker-High-End-/272296985315?hash=item3f662a42e3:g:LPMAAOSwbYZXe0is

http://www.ebay.de/itm/Mark-Levinson-No-23-High-End-Endstufe-in-gutem-Zustand-geserviced-/172158899708?hash=item28157855fc:g:Vh0AAOSwr7ZW5~li

Or push the boat out for this: http://www.ebay.de/itm/Accuphase-P-7000-OVP-BDA-/252442950901?hash=item3ac6c5bcf5:g:cMIAAOSwQupXVAVH

 

[Al ears]

I love a 2nd hand hi-fi bargain too.

Here's a few suggestions:

http://www.ebay.de/itm/Top-Pioneer-SA-9500-MKII-frisch-revidiert-hervorr...

http://www.ebay.de/itm/Onkyo-Integra-M-5570-P3370-Endstufe-Vorverstarker...

http://www.ebay.de/itm/Mark-Levinson-No-23-High-End-Endstufe-in-gutem-Zu...

Or push the boat out for this: http://www.ebay.de/itm/Accuphase-P-7000-OVP-BDA-/252442950901?hash=item3...

Personally I feel that there's bargains and there's bargains. I f you feel you can commit this sort of money to a second-hand bit of kit with no warranty then don't let me deter you.

 

[lindsayt]

The Mark Levinson 23 comes with a 12 month warranty.

 

[Al ears]

The Mark Levinson 23 comes with a 12 month warranty.

That's good but not brilliant if you don't live in the same country as the dealer / seller.

Perhaps it is better to look for some Bryston amps that come with a 25 year transferable warranty.

 

[audiodarkness]

Personally for the sound you're looking for I'd also look at valve, check out PrimaLuna, they make some of the best valve kit going at reasonable prices. I've not heard Quad valves for years, but I suspect they will be very good also.

 

[Al ears]

Personally for the sound you're looking for I'd also look at valve, check out PrimaLuna, they make some of the best valve kit going at reasonable prices. I've not heard Quad valves for years, but I suspect they will be very good also.

Agree, see post #5

 

[iceman16]

cheers al ears, im looking to spend £2.600/£3000 at a push,most of my system was purchased used.we love a bargain!

I know it's a bit out of your budget but there's a Musical Fidelity AMS 35i on ebay for £3,599. IMO this will provide the type of sound you're after.

 

[Macspur]

Primaluna as mentioned before, would be my choice of valve amp, or if you fancy Quad look out for a second hand 99/909 combo.

Fanthorpes HiFi should have a second hand Accuphase E350 for sale too.

Mac

www.macsmusic.blogbubble.net

 

[Al ears]

Primaluna as mentioned before, would be my choice of valve amp, or if you fancy Quad look out for a second hand 99/909 combo.

Fanthorpes HiFi should have a second hand Accuphase E350 for sale too.

Mac

www.macsmusic.blogbubble.net

I might agree with the Quad if the 909 wasn't such a rare beast to find second-hand.

 

[Macspur]

Primaluna as mentioned before, would be my choice of valve amp, or if you fancy Quad look out for a second hand 99/909 combo.

Fanthorpes HiFi should have a second hand Accuphase E350 for sale too.

Mac

www.macsmusic.blogbubble.net

I might agree with the Quad if the 909 wasn't such a rare beast to find second-hand.

There's a 909 and 99 pre for sale at Audio Emotion!

Mac

www.macsmusic.blogbubble.net

 

[gasolin]

Is it at all levels the sound is not up to your liking or only at high levels?

My Marntz PM8005 i feel has a very clear top and not intrusive,agressive, not at all pushing it to it's limited

Do you need a more power full amp? Some amps do get a little bright, agressive when pushed to there limited

 

[paulkebab]

issue is one I have had to contend with pretty much all my life, and it's a real pain sometimes. The Vincent I bought just doesn't have that hard edge - at any volume (and I've tried it at max volume). Nice and smooth but very detailed, never loses composure, it just goes louder in an amazingly linear sort of way. Below your budget brand-new, gorgeous looks, 5 year warranty and home demo, surely worth a listen! I wish I'd heard the other amps listed then I could give a meaningful comparison but such is life. I tried a couple of Arcams at the Vincents price point but they sounded a bit thin somehow.

 

[hybridauth_Facebook_592188533]

hey there again,

Thanks for all the input, in the end we found a great deal on..........(rolls drums).....

a Pathos Logos! Hoping to keep the sound smooth and laid-back, so far loving it.

Anyone have any idea what sort of recommended interconnects and speaker cables would be a match for the Pathos?

Thanks for your previous help all, hoping you can do it again 🙂

 

[hg_mike]

hey there again,

Thanks for all the input, in the end we found a great deal on..........(rolls drums).....

a Pathos Logos! Hoping to keep the sound smooth and laid-back, so far loving it.

Anyone have any idea what sort of recommended interconnects and speaker cables would be a match for the Pathos?

Thanks for your previous help all, hoping you can do it again 🙂

You will be able to be the first person to write a reader review on WHF for this amp.

http://www.whathifi.com/pathos/logos/user-reviews

 

[CnoEvil]

Brilliant choice of amp....It's one of the most euphonious out there.

I would look at Linn Black i/c and K20 s/c...these can usually be found on eBay at sensible prices. IMO Stick with all copper cables (not silver coated).

 

[Macspur]

Lovely choice, congrats... no need to go overboard on interconnects.

Mac

www.macsmusic.blogbubble.net

 

[Infiniteloop]

hey there again,

Thanks for all the input, in the end we found a great deal on..........(rolls drums).....

a Pathos Logos! Hoping to keep the sound smooth and laid-back, so far loving it.

Anyone have any idea what sort of recommended interconnects and speaker cables would be a match for the Pathos?

Thanks for your previous help all, hoping you can do it again 🙂

Fabulous Amp!*good*