Amp advice - who knows the Giant Killers?

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phipiper10
phipiper10 Posts: 961
edited July 2008 in Electronics
I'm very happy with my Blue Circle amp. It's very smooth and VERY engaging, the music envelopes you rather than "hits" you. Some might call it "musical"! (I wrote a review some time back on here)

Anyway I'm looking for a bit more detail without adding "edge" and can't help to think that a bit more power could never hurt. I'm really ready to just try something else too.

So what is in the $1-$2k range (used) that you might consider a giant killer?

Great natural mids, clear highs without turning nasty and SS. Most amps don't do everthing well and If I had to sacrifice in one area I'd say the bass. Of course I'm not requesting it be nonexistent or bloated - just saying.

Other things I'd like but aren't critical - runs cool, in silver?

The rest of my stuff is below if that helps. Was looking at Quad 909 but not sure it's any better than where I'm at - then again I'm willing just to try something else.

Any opinions appeciated.

Thanks!
Analog Source: Rega P3-24 Exact 2 w/GT delrin platter & Neo TT-PSU Digital Source: Lumin U2 w/Roon (NUC) DAC:T+A DAC 200 Phono Preamp: Rega Aria MK3 Preamp: Rogue RP-7 Amp: Infigo Method 6 Speakers: Joseph Audio Perspective 2, Audio Physic Tempo Plus Cables: Cardas Clear Reflection SC/IC, Shunyata PCs Misc: Shunyata Hydra Delta D6, VTI rack, GIK acoustic panels
Post edited by phipiper10 on
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,634
    edited July 2008
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    Belles 350a Reference, with the soft start. Google the reviews. You can find them close to $2,000 used in Audiogon.
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
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    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • iskandam
    iskandam Posts: 704
    edited July 2008
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    Emotiva MPS-2, incredible detail, clarity and air. You will never look back
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  • McLoki
    McLoki Posts: 5,231
    edited July 2008
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    Cinepro amps are awesome. Pick one up if you have the chance... (yes, I am biased so that that for what its worth - but the reviews I have read put it against some pretty stiff competition and it came out on top (or at least equal))

    Michael
    Mains.............Polk LSi15 (Cherry)
    Center............Polk LSiC (Crossover upgraded)
    Surrounds.......Polk LSi7 (Gloss Black - wood sides removed and crossovers upgraded)
    Subwoofers.....SVS 25-31 CS+ and PC+ (both 20hz tune)
    Pre\Pro...........NAD T163 (Modded with LM4562 opamps)
    Amplifier.........Cinepro 3k6 (6-channel, 500wpc@4ohms)
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  • I-SIG
    I-SIG Posts: 2,243
    edited July 2008
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    Run, don't walk, to Cary CAD-200 or Cinema 2. Everything you asked for (detailed w/o the edge,lush, natural, but not too fat mids) with the good bass.

    Here's my review: Wes's CAD-200 review

    This puppy is 200 @ 8ohms and 350 @ 4ohms. It easily bests a Parasound bi-amp setup I had. Almost as dynamic but with detail, naturalness and no edge.

    I got mine for $1800 and some change shipped. You might have to ease ever so slightly above $2k used, but I doubt it. They aren't the most common of amps, so you might have to be patient. Considering the plethora of Cary tube amps/integrated's and the relative scarcity of Cary SS amps on the 'Gon, as an owner, I'm inclined to say that most folks are probably hangin' on to their Cary SS CAD and Cinema amps for the stellar value that they are.

    Wes
    Link: http://polkarmy.com/forums

    Sony 75" Bravia 4K | Polk Audio SDA-SRS's (w/RDO's & Vampire Posts) + SVS PC+ 25-31 | AudioQuest Granite (mids) + BWA Silver (highs) | Cary Audio CAD-200 | Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR's | Rotel Michi P5 | Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR's | Cambridge Audio azur 840C--Wadia 170i + iPod jammed w/ lossless audio--Oppo 970 | Pure|AV PF31d
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,630
    edited July 2008
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    Pass Labs X150 on Audiogon right now for $1850. Your search is over!! :D

    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 | Holo Audio Cyan 2 Dac | MIT Shotgun S1 | Puritan Audio PSM136 Pwr Condtioner & Classic PC's | Legend L600 | Roon Nucleus 1 w/LPS - Tubes add soul!
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited July 2008
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    heiney9 wrote: »
    Pass Labs X150 on Audiogon right now for $1850. Your search is over!! :D

    H9

    Hmmmm...

    If I had the money, I'd strongly consider it.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,630
    edited July 2008
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    Early B. wrote: »
    Hmmmm...

    If I had the money, I'd strongly consider it.

    LOL- me too!
    "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 | Holo Audio Cyan 2 Dac | MIT Shotgun S1 | Puritan Audio PSM136 Pwr Condtioner & Classic PC's | Legend L600 | Roon Nucleus 1 w/LPS - Tubes add soul!
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