WHICH AMP

[Nativebon]

Hello all,
Ok my Arcam AVR600 unfortunately has stopped working due to overheating and unrepairable.
When I short of cash was recommended by Cno so I found a good one second hand, so used till I'm ready to upgrade and that was 5yrs ago and I really enjoyed the Arcam.

So it's time for something new now I got some spare cash kicking about.
First demo yesterday was not the best of conditions acoustically.

My system currently consist of
1 Audio store Prestige with 3 TB storage.
2 Ultra Rendu USB
3 Gustard X26 Pro DAC
4 KLH Model 5 speakers.

Demo yesterday consist of
Sudden A21, Unison unico primo, Icon Audio LA4MKIII Pre with Quad QSP power amp and finally Icon Audio Pre with SA-01 Power amp NC252MP.

First was the Sugden, transport was Node 2i streamer, Dac X26 Pro and speakers KLH model 5's. Using Tidal.
Like I said at the start the demo room was not the best made my speakers sound a touch bright.
I was not liking the Sugden A21 with that compo in that space. Nxt in was the Unico Primo and this sounded very nice indeed. Was detailed pleasant at the same time. Rich sounding without sounding muddy.

Nxt in was the combo of Icon Audio Pre and Quad QSP power amp. This sounded like it was trying hard to give me detail without actually doing so. Something was off could not place what was.
Finally the Icon Audio Pre with the SA-01 power amp. This sounded the most organic who would have thought... A class D amp.. There is a but.. and the bass was a bit slow with the KLH model 5.

So it was back to the Unison unico Primo and that lovely sound returned to my eardrums. The Primo is surely up for home demo then.

Any suggestions and recommendations welcomed.
Looking between 2 to 3k. Will also consider second-hand. I like a clean sound but without sounding clinical.
Cheers.

 

[Lurch]

I would say that your comments on both pre/pwr combos are about right, and the cause of your dissatisfaction would be the IA Pre.
I'm running Class D here in the form of Nord NC500M monos and the bass is definitely not slow, nor does the sound lack detail or warmth/richness, as they replaced a pair of IA MB845SEs (must get round to putting them in the classifieds). My Pre of choice currently is an MFA Baby Reference, but there are plenty of other Pre options at very sensible prices that would outperformed the IA LA4, such as a khozmo.

 

[bigfool1956]

I would add Hegel to the list.

 

[Nativebon]

I would say that your comments on both pre/pwr combos are about right, and the cause of your dissatisfaction would be the IA Pre.
I'm running Class D here in the form of Nord NC500M monos and the bass is definitely not slow, nor does the sound lack detail or warmth/richness, as they replaced a pair of IA MB845SEs (must get round to putting them in the classifieds). My Pre of choice currently is an MFA Bbaby Reference, but there are plenty of other Pre options at very sensible prices that would outperformed the IA LA4, such as a khozmo.

Thanks for the info I would certainly look into those pre amps. Like I mentioned not the best demo room and I may have to do a retake on some of the amps at home. I really like the simple compact design of the Quad amp, I'll try with other pre amps.

 

[Lurch]

If you like neat compact amps there's currently a pair of Nord monos the same as mine reduced to £749 on pfm absolutely stonking amps, and tweakable via op-amps in the input buffer.

https://pinkfishmedia.net/forum/threads/nord-nc500mb-amps-£795.272796/#post-48472

 

[Jezzer]

Another vote for Hegel… and also class D. I would imagine a used Luxman would partner well both in terms of sound and aesthetics. I used to have a Unico amp (and cd player) and can recall the expansive and smooth sound. Not the cleanest to my mind, but no bloat either.

 

[AndyCC72]

You can get a used Lyngdorf 3400 for the top end of your budget. Superb amp with room correction. Oodles of power, neutral sound and by all accounts a decent enough headphone amp built in.

 

[tackleberry]

Are you dead set on keeping your speakers?

 

[DomT]

Those Unison amps sound really great and you can pick them up secondhand. They work well with Harbeth and so imagine that they would match your speakers.

A slightly different flavour but the amp that was more of an all rounder especially for facilities was Marantz. I chose a PM-KI Pearl over the Unison but could easily make a case for either. A Marantz PM 12 or 15 would be similar to the Pearl. A very linear and natural sound.

 

[ChemMan]

Hegel 390 second hand

 

[It Cost How Much!?!]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/175488487450

 

[Nativebon]

Those Unison amps sound really great and you can pick them up secondhand. They work well with Harbeth and so imagine that they would match your speakers.

A slightly different flavour but the amp that was more of an all rounder especially for facilities was Marantz. I chose a PM-KI Pearl over the Unison but could easily make a case for either. A Marantz PM 12 or 15 would be similar to the Pearl. A very linear and natural sound.

Now added the Marantz to audition list. Also really like the aesthetics of the Marantz especially the PM12. If it sounds as good as it looks that's a win win.

 

[Nativebon]

Are you dead set on keeping your speakers?

Yes of course. Took me a whole year to decide which speakers, and bought the 5's. They got what I'm looking for. Heard them with 7.5k McIntosh amp and sounded divine. Of course I can't afford the McIntosh.

No it's not going to take me a year to buy an amp.

 

[psychomodo]

I’ve used the Unico for 20 years. Lovely amp

 

[Strider]

I might (will) get laughed at here but I'm absolutely blown away by the Rega Elicit R I have, its fast, punchy and detailed without veering into harshness territory and is genre agnostic. The new Elicit R v5 version is around 2k but moving up the food chain to the Aethos is apparently a seriously good amp, maybe pick up a 2nd hand model?
Rega also have a lifetime warrantee that's transferable too.

 

[GLB]

Class A /D is nothing new Devialet have been using this from day .

 

[lazycat]

I might (will) get laughed at here but I'm absolutely blown away by the Rega Elicit R I have, its fast, punchy and detailed without veering into harshness territory and is genre agnostic. The new Elicit R v5 version is around 2k but moving up the food chain to the Aethos is apparently a seriously good amp, maybe pick up a 2nd hand model?
Rega also have a lifetime warrantee that's transferable too.

No. I'm not laughing. I almost bought one 5 yrs ago, but then I heard my Denon. Sorry Rega.

I thought the Elicit R was excellent tho'.

Maybe the OP should listen to the Denon PMA 2500ne.

 

[Nativebon]

No. I'm not laughing. I almost bought one 5 yrs ago, but then I heard my Denon. Sorry Rega.

I thought the Elicit R was excellent tho'.

Maybe the OP should listen to the Denon PMA 2500ne.

I've heard good things bout Denon. Last time I listened to a Denon must be at least a decade ago.
Going on list. Cheers

 

[Slightly Athletic]

This amp is great

https://www.hifiwigwam.com/forum/threads/audia-flight-three-s-integrated-amp.113807/#post-2328463

I don’t really want to sell it but needs must alas

 

[Nativebon]

Ok got a new amp now second hand from a Wam member. There is a good and a bad. The good is the sound quality... Very good indeed. The bad... My sound bar remote controls the Audia flight 3s amp and vice versa.

A bit of a pain but means one or the other has to be switched off while using the other. Not sure if there is a way around this.