EstebanElequente
Member
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2021
- Messages
- 5
- Reaction score
- 0
My buddy and I did an even swap his ML Theos for my Motion 12s after he rearranged his living room and was forced out of the sweet spot. His loss is my gain I guess. We are both happy but I have a sinking feeling my modern Denon AVR X3700H is not up to the challenge. My listening is about 75% home theater. I am on a budget $4-$600 also so I am mostly either looking at either a used older amp or something like the crown xls. Locally I have found a few choices at a vintage audio reseller and the crown is out of stock nearly everywhere. FYI I did all the searches and perhaps due to the age of these amps I'm not coming up with much if anything. Here are my choices. (FYI if I go for the 3 channel I will be powering My ML Motion C2 center).
Anthem MCA 2 200X2 into 8ohms for around $450
Proceed Amp 2 By Mark Levinson 150WX2 into 8ohms For around $650
Rotel RB991 $500 or Rotel RB993 $550 200W into 2 or 3 channels respectively at 8Ohms.
Honerable mentions:
Rotel RB 1080 $795 (Just out of budget but should I save?)
Belles OCM200 $475 in budget but less power and I cant find anything on it.
Bryston 9B ST THX $1200 (Further out of budget lower power but 5 channel 120 into 8 ohms 200 into 4)
Carver TFM-35X 250WX2 $425 (I read mixed things about carver but in budget and more power)
McIntosh MC58 $1200 (I don't know it seems like less power but its McIntosh its 8 channel but can be configured down to 4 channels to get more power + its double my current budget)
NAKAMICHI pa-5 Stasis $525 100X2 (lower wattage for more money and I'm not familiar with the brand other than that they now make a soundbar lol)
Some extra optional reading if you have questions. Sources Apple TV 4k for lossless music and not so lossless movies, Sony X800M2 4k BDP, and Project turntable.
I mostly listen to Rock music and some Jazz, I watch movies pretty loud. My System is a 5.2.4 so I am maxed out on the Denon. I understand my denon preamp outs are less than ideal but an atmos Pre pro is not foreseeably in the budget. However, I understand that if I go to a 7.2.4 system I can put my mains into preamp mode and will gain some minimal benefit.
My preferences. All of the reading I have done suggests moving to one of these amps should or may give me more open mids and a more open soundstage. I do not want to lose the airy highs and imaging that to me are the primary benefits I have enjoyed by going from a folded motion to an electrostat. So terms like laid back or rolled off highs scare me although I assume I will be fine or am perhaps misinterpreting what that means. I tend to lean more to a neutral/clinical representation as opposed to a lot of color. Hence originally looking into the crown/pro audio/class D stuff. I do other work now but in a past life earned a degree and worked doing music recording/mixing/mastering and production so it is important that the sound be somewhat true to the source. I cant demo these all on my stats because it wouldn't be practical but I may be able to return and exchange if I cant live with what I get, but I am hoping someone can help me by giving their impressions of the brands, voicing etc. Sorry for the Giant Post!
Anthem MCA 2 200X2 into 8ohms for around $450
Proceed Amp 2 By Mark Levinson 150WX2 into 8ohms For around $650
Rotel RB991 $500 or Rotel RB993 $550 200W into 2 or 3 channels respectively at 8Ohms.
Honerable mentions:
Rotel RB 1080 $795 (Just out of budget but should I save?)
Belles OCM200 $475 in budget but less power and I cant find anything on it.
Bryston 9B ST THX $1200 (Further out of budget lower power but 5 channel 120 into 8 ohms 200 into 4)
Carver TFM-35X 250WX2 $425 (I read mixed things about carver but in budget and more power)
McIntosh MC58 $1200 (I don't know it seems like less power but its McIntosh its 8 channel but can be configured down to 4 channels to get more power + its double my current budget)
NAKAMICHI pa-5 Stasis $525 100X2 (lower wattage for more money and I'm not familiar with the brand other than that they now make a soundbar lol)
Some extra optional reading if you have questions. Sources Apple TV 4k for lossless music and not so lossless movies, Sony X800M2 4k BDP, and Project turntable.
I mostly listen to Rock music and some Jazz, I watch movies pretty loud. My System is a 5.2.4 so I am maxed out on the Denon. I understand my denon preamp outs are less than ideal but an atmos Pre pro is not foreseeably in the budget. However, I understand that if I go to a 7.2.4 system I can put my mains into preamp mode and will gain some minimal benefit.
My preferences. All of the reading I have done suggests moving to one of these amps should or may give me more open mids and a more open soundstage. I do not want to lose the airy highs and imaging that to me are the primary benefits I have enjoyed by going from a folded motion to an electrostat. So terms like laid back or rolled off highs scare me although I assume I will be fine or am perhaps misinterpreting what that means. I tend to lean more to a neutral/clinical representation as opposed to a lot of color. Hence originally looking into the crown/pro audio/class D stuff. I do other work now but in a past life earned a degree and worked doing music recording/mixing/mastering and production so it is important that the sound be somewhat true to the source. I cant demo these all on my stats because it wouldn't be practical but I may be able to return and exchange if I cant live with what I get, but I am hoping someone can help me by giving their impressions of the brands, voicing etc. Sorry for the Giant Post!
