hello all,
I am searching for an amplifier for my home audio system. I am interested in something "somewhat" high end inside of the $4,000 dollar mark. I have been researching for a few weeks and have come across two amps that I am particulary attracted to. The first is the Bel Canto EVO2 (www.belcantodesign.com) It has 120 wpc and is purely digital. A nice feature is that to bridge the power for mono block usage, you push one button. Then you get something like 400wpc. So I could add another in a few years and really have some power! The other amps I am juggling are the rogue stereo 90 and the rogue tempest II (www.rogueaudio.com/Products.htm) I have heard the stereo 90 before and I find it to be round and musical...plus it looks cool. Does anyone out there have any experience with any of these three amps? Is there any particular reason I should or should not go with the integrated tube (tempest) over the regular tube (stereo 90)? And lastly do you think a pure digital amp or a tube would go better with my system?
Here is what I have now:
Receiver:Marantz SR9300 (www.marantz.com)
sacd/cd/dvd:Marantz DV8400
Front Channel Speakers:Eggleston Works Fontaine series (www.egglestonworks.com)
Rear/center channels:B&W natilus series
I understand everyone has different ears, and it all depends on what you like...I'm just curious what opinions audiophiles with more experience than me have. Thanks for the help!!
-Blake Williamson
blake@livetaping.com
I'd go with a warm amp for the Egglestons they are so percise that I think some warmth would help.
I have the Eggleston Andra II's and use a Mcintosh Mc352 and find it to be plenty of power but sometimes wish I had a bit more warmth.
I plan on getting a tube pre to help smooth things out currently using solid state Mcintosh C41.
Check out the Balanced audio technology and Levinson stuff if you can good luck.
http://www.balanced.com/
You might want to check with Jcallery on this board I think he purchased the Bel canto amp for use with some Andra's.
one of the warmer amps i always had my eye on was the belles 350A which is right in that price range.
some brands to check out:
Parasound
Bryston (these are used by many pro mastering studios)
Adcom
Musical Fidelity
BAT
VTL (Vacuum Tube Logic)
Happy shopping!
Ben
Every few months there are Conrad Johnson Premire 12 monoblocks on audiogon for aroung $3600.