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Great Stereo Amp for $10k

post #1 of 12
12/14/11 at 3:13pm
Thread Starter 
I would like to get a great solid state amp to match with my Magnepan 3.7's. The maximum I want to pay is $10k. So far the best candidate seems to be the Coda 33.0 or 15.0.


Any suggestions?

Thanks
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post #2 of 12
12/14/11 at 3:52pm
Used Pass Labs X600 or X600.5. 600 Watts, first 100W are Class A. Excellent with difficult loads. Check with Reno HiFi.
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post #3 of 12
12/14/11 at 4:17pm
Pass Labs X-350.5 comes in at $11500 but usually you'll get a discount that will put you at the 10k range. Will run those 3.7's with ease.
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post #4 of 12
12/14/11 at 4:23pm
There are a lot of Maggie owners with Bryston --- and for well under $10,000
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post #5 of 12
12/14/11 at 5:47pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by audioguy View Post

There are a lot of Maggie owners with Bryston --- and for well under $10,000

14B SST2 MSRP $9550.00

Magnepan has been involved with Bryston in developing the "Tri-Center Array" so I guess Magnepan feels that the Brystons are a good match.

http://www.avguide.com/blog/magnepan...three-channels

Steve
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post #6 of 12
12/14/11 at 6:16pm
Biased recommendation for Mark Levinson 532H . Retail is $8,000. The unit has proven extremely high reliable and from a big company which will be around. Think about that and the hassle of getting these heavy beasts repaired in the future .

The 532H recently got reviewed by stereophile. This is the final conclusion on the measurement side: http://www.stereophile.com/content/m...ower-amplifier

"With its high power output and very low levels of noise and distortion, the Mark Levinson No.532H offers textbook measured performance.—John Atkinson"
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post #7 of 12
12/14/11 at 6:26pm
"The unit has proven extremely high reliable and from a big company which will be around."
******
Good point when boutique brands are under pressure during economic instability. Bryston also fit in the "likely to be around"; in business for 50 years and 20 year warranty on analog products. I currently have Bryston amps among others. Recently had an 10 year old amp start to over heat. Repaired at no charge.

Steve
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post #8 of 12
12/15/11 at 3:36am
Thread Starter 
Thanks guys.

Two things - 1) Bryston is out. I have heard two of their new amps in my system and didn't feel that they were an upgrade over my Levinson 535 (old but venerable). 2)I haven't heard the Levinson 532H but Levinson dealers and several other "national reviewers" said that they were fine but for the same money I could do better. In one article (If I have time I'll get the link), the author stated that it wasn't recommended for Maggies.

Pass is a reputable company and sounds intriguing. The folks at Coda have had their ups and downs but are still ticking and they worked for/with Mr. Pass during the Threshold days. Plus they are the OEM for a few amp designers.

I would prefer a stereo amp (space would be a problem). I also want something which will be great if/when I move to ML CLX or Magnepan 20.1. I don't know if I'll make that move but want to be flexible.
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post #9 of 12
12/15/11 at 4:42am
Two options:

McIntosh MC601 monoblocks, retail 12K. You can find a dealer to sell it below your 10K limit.

or McIntosh MC452 retail 7.5K

Great amps!
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post #10 of 12
12/16/11 at 6:14pm
Try Simaudio. I believe a new W-7 is just under $10K, and used W-8's go for well under $10K. Lower line Simaudio monoblocks would also fit your budget.

Good luck,
Drew Dean
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post #11 of 12
1/4/12 at 7:38am
Quote:
Originally Posted by trek737 View Post

Two options:

McIntosh MC601 monoblocks, retail 12K. You can find a dealer to sell it below your 10K limit.

or McIntosh MC452 retail 7.5K

Great amps!

I agree. MC601's monoblocks. MC452 stereo amp if you do not have the space for monoblocks.
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post #12 of 12
1/4/12 at 11:27am
Quote:
Originally Posted by trek737 View Post

Two options:

McIntosh MC601 monoblocks, retail 12K. You can find a dealer to sell it below your 10K limit.

or McIntosh MC452 retail 7.5K

Great amps!

Second the MC452. Absolute awesome amp for the money!
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