a new amp for the LSi-15?

ohlins
ohlins Posts: 3
edited November 2005 in 2 Channel Audio
i am currently using a DNA-1 to drive a pair of LSi-15. the combo is great, with good soundstaging and bass. preamp is adcom GFP750.

however, with the DNA-1 getting old, i am thinking of changing the power amp to something newer. a few options exist:

McCormack DNA-225
Odyssey Stratos Plus
Channel Island D100
NuForce Ref 8

i am quite sure the DNA-225 would fit right in but would love to try other amps to see how the match would be. As for the stratos, i have briefly heard it in a complete odyssey system. not sufficient time to tell and i hope to arrange a home audition.

the 2 digital switching amps are something very new. does anyone out there has experience hearing them with the LSi-15?

your helpful comments are appreciated. thanks

NB: the 4 amps are priced quite closely in singapore.
Post edited by ohlins on
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Comments

  • tryrrthg
    tryrrthg Posts: 1,896
    edited November 2005
    Shipping costs could get ugly but you could look into having your DNA-1 upgraded by Steve McCormack. www.smcaudio.com I've read that the new 125 and 225 DNA amps are equivilent to the old amps with revision B and C.

    I think you'll be hard pressed to find a better sounding amp for the money than your current McCormack amp.
    Sony KDL-40V2500 HDTV, Rotel RSX-1067 Receiver, Sony BDP-S550 Blu-ray, Slim Devices Squeezebox, Polk RTi6, CSi3 & R15, DIY sub with Atlas 15
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited November 2005
    McCormack has a very devoted following and I've never heard a bad thing said about them. I think you'd be hard pressed to find a better amp unless you want to spend a big wad. I understand wanting to get something different if for no other reason than to have something new. I'm not all that familiar with the lines past or present, but sometimes the older designs can be better so I'd really look at the new McCormack stuff and see if you are really getting something that different.

    That is a great pre-amp (Gfp-750) and should work very well with any choice. I know, personally, I like the older (original) Adcom amps a bit better than the new versions. Good luck with the search and keep us posted.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • ohlins
    ohlins Posts: 3
    edited November 2005
    what do u guys power ur LSi-15 with? i am very curious.

    i had the chance to listen to the CIA D100 and the Stratos in my set up and both are wonderful yet different. tough choice.
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  • ninerbj
    ninerbj Posts: 870
    edited November 2005
    1 vote for the stratos.
    "she had the body of Venus, with arms."
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  • W WALDECKER
    W WALDECKER Posts: 900
    edited November 2005
    ohlins wrote:
    what do u guys power ur LSi-15 with? i am very curious.

    i had the chance to listen to the CIA D100 and the Stratos in my set up and both are wonderful yet different. tough choice.
    try a pair of Khartago monoblocks. they have the same sonic signature as the Stratos but with 100 amps of Current and higher capacitance also. they will easily walk all over the stereo Stratos and the D100 monoblocks. i have owned both the Lsi 15s and the Khartago monos and if i had myLsi 15s and Khartago monos at the same time i would probably still own the Lsi 15s. good luck. thanks....WCW III
    Rogue Audio stereo 100 tube amplifier - Lector Zoe preamplifier with 6H30 pi's
    .Audience AU24SE speaker and ic cables- Chord Qutest DAC - Black Cat Silverstar II 75ohm digital cable-Tyler Acoustics Linbrook Signature system with large bass cabinets to accommodate 10" Seas magnesium woofers.2xhmpsuownoj.jpg
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  • polkatese
    polkatese Posts: 6,767
    edited November 2005
    ohlins wrote:
    what do u guys power ur LSi-15 with? i am very curious.

    i had the chance to listen to the CIA D100 and the Stratos in my set up and both are wonderful yet different. tough choice.

    Krell 400Xi integrated.
    I am sorry, I have no opinion on the matter. I am sure you do. So, don't mind me, I just want to talk audio and pie.
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  • 2+2
    2+2 Posts: 546
    edited November 2005
    I drive mine with Rotel 1080...
    System 1: Martin Logan Vantage, Rotel RC 1070, B&K Reference 200.2, Music Hall DAC 15.2, Yamaha 2300

    System 2: LSi15 w/db840, Marantz SR8400, Rotel 1080, RM6800 (C&S), Sony X2020ES

    System 3: LSi7, Yamaha SW215, Music Hall Maven, Music Hall MMF CD25 w/627opamps

    System 4: RTi100, Harman Kardon AVR 230, Panasonic DVD
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  • organ
    organ Posts: 4,969
    edited November 2005
    Since you're looking at high class amps, have you considered Krell?
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