Amp recommendations please!

[PinHead]

Had two Cambridge Audio 740A amps - the first I killed, the second failed. Moved to a 840A and love it - it sounds fantastic. Clarity and punch and everything. But this morning it failed on me again.

Richer Sounds have been fantastic and offered a full refund, no problem, which is really good.

So, with me £750 what would be a good replacement? If it's any help I hated the Pioneer A-A9-J I tried briefly - too harsh and screechy.

Music wise, I like rock (Pavement, Soungarden everything really), accoustic (guitar), some jazz-ey stuff (Weather report etc).

Room is about 5 or 6 meters long by about 4 wide ish. Other gear is Monitor Audio RS6 speakers and CA640v2 cdp.

Any help and advice welcome...

[Papa Lazarou]

I seriously would consider valves with the Monitor Audio speakers.

OtherwiseDensen may be worth a bash.

[Alex A]

I found MF worked very well with MA speakers. I doubt you'd do better than find a SH A308 integrated.

[PinHead]

Thanks Papa - I was thinking valves might be interesting, but not sure what I could get for my budget. Sevenoaks suggested a Primare I20 (?) on the 'fone - is this good advice or way off the mark? Obviously they said to come in and listen, but wanna have lotsa help and advice before demo-ing stuff.

[griffo104]

UKD have a Puccini Settanta integrated on their bargain pages for £765.

70w of power and the smoothness through the upper frequencies would tame the treble on the MA speakers slightly, certainly not a screechy treble.

Otherwise I'd second the recommendation for a Densen amp.

[PinHead]

Cheers Alex - I'm a bit worried about ebay type 2nd hand. I'd trust a 'Wam regular obviously though! If anyone here has got anything suitable going I'd consider it tbh.

[JANDL100]

I know I'm sounding a bitlike a stuck record (remember those? )but I'dsuggest a trial with an NVA AP70 integrated amp. EBAY_LINK - £720 delivered. Or an NVA AP50 integratedHERE for £570.

If you need remote control of volume you'll have to add one of THESE - £135 delivered. (You might get a P&P discount if buying more than 1 item)

Or look up an NVA pre/power combo of your choice. Full list of eBay NVA kit HERE.

I really like this stuff - great sound - great vfm - and the NVA guy's a pleasure to deal with. 14 day money back trial period.

There's also a used P50 passive pre on auction at the moment. ;)

[Mr Cat]

a myryad pre / power combo... ;)

[ultrawomble]

PinHead wrote:

Had two Cambridge Audio 740A amps - the first I killed, the second failed.Â* Moved to a 840A and love it - it sounds fantastic.Â* Clarity and punch and everything.Â* But this morning it failed on me again.

Troubling to learn that you've had 3 Cambridge Audio amps pack up you - something must be seriously wrong with their QC. I'm thinking of moving to a passive-pre/power combo and I'd pencilled in the forthcoming 840W as a possible power to audition, but on hearing your woes I'm becoming wary.

Musical Fidelity do a good job with MA speakers.

[Alex A]

ultrawomble wrote:

PinHead wrote:

Had two Cambridge Audio 740A amps - the first I killed, the second failed. Moved to a 840A and love it - it sounds fantastic. Clarity and punch and everything. But this morning it failed on me again.

Troubling to learn that you've had 3 Cambridge Audio amps pack up you - something must be seriously wrong with their QC. I'm thinking of moving to a passive-pre/power combo and I'd pencilled in the forthcoming 840W as a possible power to audition, but on hearing your woes I'm becoming wary.

Musical Fidelity do a good job with MA speakers.

Bit of a shame really as I knew reliability was a big issue for their AV receivers but I hadn't known much go wrong with their audio ranges until now.

Another thought: The Australian importer of MA kit also imports Roksan electronics as the natural partner for the speakers. The Caspian integrated should be within your budget new and should work very well with your speakers.

[ob1]

I think you will need warm-ish amp to go with the MA so something like Myryad, Auidio Analog or Creek are my choices.

[Duvet]

Audio Analogue

[Papa Lazarou]

JANDL100 wrote:

I know I'm sounding a bitlike a stuck record (remember those? )but I'dsuggest a trial with an NVA AP70 integrated amp. EBAY_LINK - £720 delivered. Or an NVA AP50 integratedHERE for £570.

If you need remote control of volume you'll have to add one of THESE - £135 delivered. (You might get a P&P discount if buying more than 1 item)

Or look up an NVA pre/power combo of your choice. Full list of eBay NVA kit HERE.

I really like this stuff - great sound - great vfm - and the NVA guy's a pleasure to deal with. 14 day money back trial period.

There's also a used P50 passive pre on auction at the moment. ;)

You Jerry?

Never

[Steveh]

Recommend Creek. I also like acoustic guitar and find these amps great for this type of music(or any type for that matter).

[willig]

Have a listen to the Puresound A30, very good.

http://www.puresound.info/

Mr C does an excellent demo on this one.

[kmac]

If trying vales, you may be able to get a second hand, ex dem Pathos Classic Mk III (actually a hybrid - I found this excellent when I had MA Silver 9i)

Otherwise take a look at Prima Luna, Icon Audio, or the Puresound that has already been suggested

[PinHead]

Thanks for all the ideas, chaps - all very much appreciated.

Had a chat with the missus lunchtime and it'd be good find out a bit more about your Myriad pre/power Mr Cat. Like what sort of sound is it, how much did it originally cost etc.

Keep it coming chaps! Thanking you all very much!

[Mr Cat]

PinHead wrote:

Thanks for all the ideas, chaps - all very much appreciated.

Had a chat with the missus lunchtime and it'd be good find out a bit more about your Myriad pre/power Mr Cat. Like what sort of sound is it, how much did it originally cost etc.

Keep it coming chaps! Thanking you all very much!

cheers - ok, the pre amp retailed around 500 and the power amp around 600.

sound wise - the designer used to work for Arcam - but I'm not sure in what context, nor have I heard an arcam amp - so I'm not sure how it compares, tho someone else may know..?

it has a quite a forward kind of sound with plenty of grip on the bass - especially with electra style of music, the amps are very powerful too - I usually just have the volume up at about 7-8 o'clock on the dial, I think I'm more used to the laid back sound of nad, but I also like the sound of Primare amps - especially for accoustic stuff! the sound is very detailed too.



these are the actual links to the amps on fleabay -

myrmanon these very forums...!

[HectorHughMunro]

Alex_A wrote:

ultrawomble wrote:

PinHead wrote:

Had two Cambridge Audio 740A amps - the first I killed, the second failed. Moved to a 840A and love it - it sounds fantastic. Clarity and punch and everything. But this morning it failed on me again.

Troubling to learn that you've had 3 Cambridge Audio amps pack up you - something must be seriously wrong with their QC. I'm thinking of moving to a passive-pre/power combo and I'd pencilled in the forthcoming 840W as a possible power to audition, but on hearing your woes I'm becoming wary.

Musical Fidelity do a good job with MA speakers.

Bit of a shame really as I knew reliability was a big issue for their AV receivers but I hadn't known much go wrong with their audio ranges until now.

Another thought: The Australian importer of MA kit also imports Roksan electronics as the natural partner for the speakers. The Caspian integrated should be within your budget new and should work very well with your speakers.

My 840a has been completely unproblematic. I would probably have preferred to go the passive/840W route myself.

Why not look at a Meridian 557 second hand? Very reliable and one of the best solid state amps I've ever heard. There's one on www.hififorsale.com for £800. Obviously I have no links to the seller. You certainly couldn't describe it as harsh.

[PinHead]

Thanks for all the suggestions and help chaps. I'm still totally undecided what to do though. The 840A does (did - the missus has packed it up back in its box..!) sound fantastic to me and the problem this morning is not a known issue and could just be a software funny in which case I can live with that. Just worried that whatever I get for the money won't be as good.

Does anyone have any idea how the Primare I21? At the same price point as the 840A and can demo one easily.

Anyway, thanks and I'll let you know what I decide! Any further advice is always welcome though.