Amp upgrade

[dudywoxer]

I am starting to look around for amps, has any one heard the AVI integrated, It is a bit of overkill with my current gear, but as the amp is the weakest link its that first.

[cjr]

Might as well mention other choice integrated amps you should check out :



Primare A30.1 Mk II

NAD Silverline S300

Sugden A21a

Unison Research Unico

Naim Nait5.

[woody]

Nait 5i is a cracking little integrated amp and work work nicely with your rega kit.

[dudywoxer]

thanks for info, If I go for the sugden it will be the 21SE, that really stood out when I heard it, It's just finding the extra £500.00 I have arranged to hear the AVI and a rega cursa/maia combo. Then it will be a 21SE and the cursa/maia again. I heard the Nait and felt it was a bit better than my Rega, but maybe a halfway house to where I want to be- (hence the £1500'ish budget) I also had a listen to some Musical fidelity gear A5 I think, but found it a bit laid back, as was the Arcam amps I head. Cyrus was a bit thin sounding for me.

[cjr]

Dudy I forgot to mention the Prima Luna Prologue 2 :

[earl of sodbury]

Besides the usual suspects, I've been very pleasantly impressed with Orelle's SA-100 Evo,Exposure's 3010 andSonneteer's Orton - especially the latter, at around £1700 new - gorgeous, liquid effortless and uncoloured. The Orelle are I think being ?phased-out, so I think there are some good deals to be had, very pacy and up-front presentation, but no obvious over-emphasis in any one area. At around £1K the Exposure comes in well below your price band, but has a lot of Naim's good points, but IMHO improves in detail, presentation and soundstaging.

Sonneteer: http://www.sonneteer.co.uk/

Orelle: http://home.btconnect.com/Orelle/Pag...cts/SA-100.htm

Exposure: http://www.exposurehifi.com/exposure...erview_ht.html

[cjr]

earl of sodbury wrote:

Besides the usual suspects, I've been very pleasantly impressed with Orelle's SA-100 Evo.

Just a note about the Orelle, I saw an ad recently in either HFN/HFW where the UK distributor was selling their kit off half price ie a £1500 amp for £799, not always a sign for a marques longevity but a good chance for a bragain none the less.

[Duvet]

BAT VK300X £1695 Secondhand.


[align=center]With black front panel.
Balanced Audio Technology is pleased to introduce our superlative new VK-300x integrated amplifier. The VK-300x is so versatile, beautiful, and powerful that it will define a new reference for integrated amplification.[/align]


Effortless Power

When we began this project, our goal was to design an integrated amplifier that could satisfy the needs of the world's most discriminating music lovers. The Balanced Audio Technology VK-300x exceeds our highest expectations in this regard, and can form the nucleus of the finest high-end music system. The VK-300x provides a robust 150 watts per channel into 8 Ω loads and easily doubles this output into 4 Ω loads.

Ultimate Flexibility

Not only can the VK-300x form the nucleus for outstanding music reproduction, it can be configured to meet almost any system need. Add remote control for the ultimate in convenience. Specify the built-in phono module and you'll obtain superb reproduction of your analog record collection from either moving magnet or low output moving coil cartridges. Add the musical texture that only tubes can provide by specifying the optional 6922 tube-based front-end. Or choose the ultimate in sonic performance by adding the optional 6H30 SuperTube front-end gain stage. The extraordinary versatility of Balanced Audio Technology's VK-300x allows it to perform without peer and thus truly stand apart from the crowd.

Preeminent Design

Many integrated amplifiers offer the benefit of convenience and little more. The VK-300x is different by design. Its circuitry has the same caliber as those found in Balanced Audio Technology high-end components. The VK-300x output stage is a symmetrical bipolar design as used in our award winning VK-6200 multi-channel power amplifier. The VK-300x input stage is configured to the same high standards as our award winning preamplifier line. We are also proud to offer an optional 6H30 SuperTube Special Edition gain stage (based on the one found in the top-of-the-line VK-51SE preamplifier) complete with paper-in-oil signal capacitors. The VK-300x user interface (the same as on our preamplifiers) offers the superb flexibility and ease of use that has set the standard in the industry. Even the VK-R3 remote is machined from a solid block of aluminum. This is an integrated amplifier of preeminent design and pedigree.



Superb Musicality

The best part, if one can get over the sheer beauty of the VK-300x, is the way it sounds. The VK-300x is pure BAT. "Open", "delicate", "smooth" and "powerful" are words that come easily to mind when trying to describe its sonic characteristics. We can say without hesitation that the VK-300x is competitive with reference-level separates at up to three times the price. Finally, musical finesse and superb performance have been combined without compromise into one convenient package. We invite you to visit your BAT audio specialist to experience this revelation for yourself. All you need to do is listen.

VK-300x Specifications





Number of Channels
2

Output Power into 8Ω/4Ω
150W/300W (Both at less than 0.2% THD)

Frequency Response
2Hz to 180kHz

Inputs
2 XLR + 3 RCA

Input Impedance
100 kΩ minimum each phase

Preamplifier Outputs
1 XLR balanced output

Tape Output
1 RCA

Speaker Outputs
2 pair of five-way gold-plated binding posts

Dimensions
19" x 5.75" x 15.5"

Weight
50 lb.

Options
Remote control, Phono Module, 6922 tube gain stage, 6H30 SuperTube SpecialEdition gain stage

Just a few details:dude:

[hifiwigwam]

Duvet wrote:

BAT VK300X £1695 Secondhand.

Gives me theee 'Orn that duzz.

[cjr]

hifiwigwam wrote:

Duvet wrote:

BAT VK300X £1695 Secondhand.

Gives me theee 'Orn that duzz.

Yep its a cracker indeed, if were up at that level then you have to include Moon, Bow, Copeland, Pathos, etc etc

[Duvet]

yep it sure is cjr . Its even nicer in the flesh. £4 K new i reckon you can get this at the £1695 with a full 1 yr warranty and 1 month exchange if not satisfied. I thought dudy was suggesting a budget of £1500 ish. If i'm mistaken on that front sorry for posting this piece of audiohoolery.

[Testure]

Duvet wrote:

BAT VK300X £1695 Secondhand.

Now that's what I call a bargin, is it me, but there seems to be a sudden glut of great equipment at reasonable discounts (i.e 50% or over)

[Biscuit]

how about these 2 for £10k Testure

[Testure]

Biscuit wrote:

how about these 2 for £10k Testure

Stop it my wife would kill me (even though she has admitted liking their looks). Must say if I had the spare cash, I would have snapped them up,that's nearly a £6K saving

[dudywoxer]

Having had a ferkle on the net that prima luna valve jobby looks very interesting, (The sale of a Quad 22 & 2 x11's and a FM radio are partly financing the up grade)

I had thought about a wazoo, but I can not find a dealer south of John O'Groats, so that's out. AVI's 1.5 hour drive, Prima Luna 2hour train trip, Bow is 5 hour drive away, Sugden and rega 40 minutes, I would prefer to spend my money on UK kit, failing that European. If I have bugger all option then Jap Craps or American, i.e. if the Japs or Yanks have something I can not resist then OK, but I prefer to Keep jobs in europe if i can, other wise we will have lots of Rovers again.

dudywoxer wrote:

, Bow is 5 hour drive away,.

What do you Drive?????

Can be done in a goodly bit less, just came back from Nottingham, via A50/M6 4 hours, have rellies in Scunny and can be done in less than 4, I'm talking about a steady 80 (of course no stops) Are there no dealers in Doncaster or surrounding?



what do they sell, perhaps other products should be shortlisted, why not hold a bakeoff and ask guys to bring an amp?

[dudywoxer]

Yes It can be done, Scunny to Motherwell used to be a milk run for me, but I have had to slow down for a while, get the point, Bow dealers seem to be a rare species darn sarth, Tried the bake off thing, but as there'sbeen bugger all interest I decided to go fishing instead. Donny is as much of a hi-fi wasteland as Scunny.

The 'local' dealers are 7oaks, (lincoln and Hull) Zen- in hull densen, exposure quad, The audio room in hull- pretty good, choice is rega-sugen-naim, then the expensive kit. I do not object to a drive to hear kit but do not want to waste too many dealers time, so I am trying to put together a shortish list. If Iam going to buy from a dealer then I willtake the time I need to decide, but during the early stages I prefer not to take up too much dem room time. (I spend half my life putting together estimates for things that are never purchased, and do not want to do that to other people). It may not help that I do not want naim, and if a dealer pushes it at me I tend not to want to go back- (f you want to be evangelical join a bloody church.)

Wasn't meaning you should drive, was pointing out your snails pace, but I get the point, not NINcE at all, been there had the T shirt, prefer shirts these days, down to 3 now, and they go next year, but also don't count any more for totting up.

[Biscuit]

I'm booked in to listen to a Wazoo XL on Saturday, depending on my reaction I might be willing to share it's location ;)

Should be closer to you than a drive to Scotland, its in East Anglia.

[adam]

Sorry,put this in the wrong subject.

I thought,EOS recommendation of the Sonneteer amp was a good one,it's made in the UK,will go very well with Rega,I find Sonneteer have a liquid midrange,and very rhythmic,seemed to be very overlooked company,that make great sounding kit,well worth a demo.