Two Questions - One post
Pycroft
Posts: 1,960
Hello all and Happy Holidays!
I am considering going the 'integrated' route. I'm happy with my setup (In my signature below), but wouldn't mind condensing the remotes in the house. I saw a thread recommending some integrated amps at around the 2k range - Musical Fidelity, Luxman, McIntosh, and others came up. Here are the questions:
1. Given my speakers, I have some requirements. First, it must be able to be stable and powerful - I've read where the SS-M9's need a 2 ohm stable amp due to a taxing low end. I read this in stereophile, and heard it from others. It must also have home theatre bypass, have a decent phono section, and have a remote. Again, it's tough when looking because when I see the Luxman, MF, etc. many times it's listed at 200 watts at 8 ohms, and it usually lists a 4 ohm wattage - but none say 2. So - those more in the know than I, is there a recommendation of an integrated amplifier (Tube, SS, or Hybrid) that sounds fantastic, and can handle the Sony SS-M9's.
2. Regarding price, I would be looking to fund this through selling/trading what I have now - the Odyssey Dual Mono Stratus amplifier, and the TAD Signature 150 tube preamp. I'm curious what the group thinks the value of these on the used market is. With Paul G.'s untimely death over a year ago, I'm not sure if TAD items are more expensive on the used market since you can't get them anymore, or if the value has decreased. The 150 is a well thought of tube preamp - I believe many say it's Paul G.'s best. The value will determine what I would be willing to spend. In the perfect world, I'd find someone with a used unit of like value and just do a straight up switch, but I know that's unlikely
Thanks for any suggestions
James
I am considering going the 'integrated' route. I'm happy with my setup (In my signature below), but wouldn't mind condensing the remotes in the house. I saw a thread recommending some integrated amps at around the 2k range - Musical Fidelity, Luxman, McIntosh, and others came up. Here are the questions:
1. Given my speakers, I have some requirements. First, it must be able to be stable and powerful - I've read where the SS-M9's need a 2 ohm stable amp due to a taxing low end. I read this in stereophile, and heard it from others. It must also have home theatre bypass, have a decent phono section, and have a remote. Again, it's tough when looking because when I see the Luxman, MF, etc. many times it's listed at 200 watts at 8 ohms, and it usually lists a 4 ohm wattage - but none say 2. So - those more in the know than I, is there a recommendation of an integrated amplifier (Tube, SS, or Hybrid) that sounds fantastic, and can handle the Sony SS-M9's.
2. Regarding price, I would be looking to fund this through selling/trading what I have now - the Odyssey Dual Mono Stratus amplifier, and the TAD Signature 150 tube preamp. I'm curious what the group thinks the value of these on the used market is. With Paul G.'s untimely death over a year ago, I'm not sure if TAD items are more expensive on the used market since you can't get them anymore, or if the value has decreased. The 150 is a well thought of tube preamp - I believe many say it's Paul G.'s best. The value will determine what I would be willing to spend. In the perfect world, I'd find someone with a used unit of like value and just do a straight up switch, but I know that's unlikely
Thanks for any suggestions
James
2 Channel/HT:
Sony SS-M9 P's (ES version)
Sony SS-M1CN Center Channel
Polk RT800 Surround Speakers
Odyssey Stratos Dual Mono Amplifiers
TAD 150 Signature Tube Preamp
Harman Kardon HK354
Sony SACD Player
Sony SS-M9 P's (ES version)
Sony SS-M1CN Center Channel
Polk RT800 Surround Speakers
Odyssey Stratos Dual Mono Amplifiers
TAD 150 Signature Tube Preamp
Harman Kardon HK354
Sony SACD Player
Post edited by Pycroft on
Comments
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If the remote situation is the sole motivation, get a universal.Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
It's not the sole motivation.
I've been reading a lot recently that with an integrated, being one unit, if you get a good one you don't have to worry about how components work together. I now have a tube preamp, and am not a 'tube-roller' trying to find a perfect sound. I'm looking for simpler, and more straight forward.
James2 Channel/HT:
Sony SS-M9 P's (ES version)
Sony SS-M1CN Center Channel
Polk RT800 Surround Speakers
Odyssey Stratos Dual Mono Amplifiers
TAD 150 Signature Tube Preamp
Harman Kardon HK354
Sony SACD Player -
Ok, well the MF kW500, although not listed at 2 ohms, should not have a problem at 2 ohms. Folks using big Maggies and Martin Logan's use it without issue. FYI, it is a 2 box unit and is over your budget.
The Wyred 4 Sound integrated will do 2 ohms. I believe Naim and Roksan Kandy will too, but they have much lower power ratings.Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk
