What Amp

[admin_exported]

I have a cyrus CD8SE, with a PSX-R, and Spendor A6 speakers. I'm borrowing a Cyrus Pre VS2, with PSX-R, and a Cyrus X Power amp. Although I appreciate the merits of the cyrus pre-amp/amp I do not particularly like the sound and I think I need a more exciting sounding amp, and that the spendors and Cyrus CD player will respond well accordingly. I suspect Naim might be too coloured the other way, but any recommendations. I have circa £1800 if I go for a pre-amp/power amp or £2000 if I get an integrated amp and sell the spare interconnect.

Thoughts?

 

[chebby]

southernshawz007: I suspect Naim might be too coloured the other way, but any recommendations.

If you were tempted towards Naim I would strongly suggest listening to the Nait XS (£1250) before spending more. It has very open and spacious sound and gusto. Sound-stage like this is not normally a Naim 'trait' so try and hear it with your speakers.

As you appear to be into external power supplies, there is the Naim 'FlatCap 2X' (£575 and compatible with the Nait XS and with a spare output for a compatible Naim CD player if you go that way) which would bring it up to your budget. I have not heard the FlatCap used with the XS so don't know it's worth in terms of sound quality. The XS sounded great as it was when I heard it.

A lot of Cyrus dealers are also Naim dealers so this is one where you are going to have to listen and preferably at home if possible.

A lot of people have high praise for the Cambridge Audio 840A amplifier and I have seen some very good reviews of it. May be worth looking at before committing to pre/power set-ups and will save a tidy bit of cash too..

 

[the record spot]

I think Densen enjoyed a bit of a reputation for having a fast sounding amp or two, you might get a good deal on a used Krell, Copland and some of the older range of Naim amps. There's a good selection out there so worth having a dig around. That's kind of where I'd be looking at were it my money.

 

[Frank Harvey]

I agree with Chebby about the Mait XS, but wouldn't rule out the 122x pre and 150x power amp, both of which have stayed the same price during Naim's yearly price rises.