Integrated Amp for Proac Response D Two?

[ppat2]

Looking for opinions on some amps. I am moving from an amp and preamp setup to an integrated to simplify things, save some space I need, and reduce some cable clutter that is out of control.

I currently have the Proac Response D Two's, and a NAD C275BEE amp and NAD C165BEE preamp. Lots of power, solid bass, good imaging and detail, and very defined bass with clear highs. A very highly rated combo from the hi-fi press, and I get a lot of enjoyment from the package. Just need to slim things down now to be more simple, less cables, etc.

I am looking at a list of integrated's to move to, without losing too much if anything. Power might be an issue for some of the amps listed here.

Looking for any thoughts on which ones below might be a good match. These are all used amps, and ignore the prices. I am not buying on price, simply quality and fit.

My room is 26 long x 12 wide x 9 high (all feet), and the speakers fire down the length of the room. Currently, I have no output issues. The Proacs have no problem loading the room with the NAD amp.

I am leaning toward the Karan or the VTL. The former has the power output, the latter would be my first tube amp if I go there but only 60W and the Proacs have lowish sensitivity (88.5, but I suspect maybe 88).

McIntosh MA6300 MINT $2,300.00
Perreaux Eloquence 150i integrated amplifier $2,700.00
Karan KA-I-180 Integrated Amplifier $3,400.00
Classe CAP-2100 integrated $2,750.00
VTL IT-85 Integrated Amp $2,650.00
ModWright KWI 200 Integrated Amplifier $4,000.00
McIntosh MA6900 Integrated amp $3,800.00

Thanks,

Paul

[Macca]

Hi Paul

XTZ class A100D

I'm not recommending it per se but it will do everything you require and brand new it will be way cheaper than any of the options you have listed bought used. Worth serious consideration.

[Tarzan]

Hi Paul

XTZ class A100D

I'm not recommending it per se but it will do everything you require and brand new it will be way cheaper than any of the options you have listed bought used. Worth serious consideration.


When l Response 2Ss ( forerunner to the D2) l tried loads of amps and the best sound was EAR 509 100W tube mono, then a Veritas P400 240W, Digital amp the ProAcs liked as much power as you could throw at them, lovely speakers by the way.:)

[Effem]

Hi Paul

XTZ class A100D

I'm not recommending it per se but it will do everything you require and brand new it will be way cheaper than any of the options you have listed bought used. Worth serious consideration.

+1

Add my endorsement to that suggestion too

[archiesdad]

I'm using Sim Audio Moon, should be easier to hear in your location than over here?

[jostber]

What about the new Lampizator valve amp? Monoblocks and integrated:

http://lampizator.eu/NEWDAC/Lampizator/AMPLIFIERS.html

Might not save much space then though. :)

[ppat2]

Thanks for the feedback. The XTZ certainly looks interesting, have to do some reading on that one.

I am leaning towards a tube amp, but after having used solid state for years, I am wary about the bass side of things. Meaning ending up with a sound that is too soft or warm in the bass. The high frequencies and midrange gains that generally come with a tube amp are enticing, as are potential gains in soundstage.

With that in mind, does anyone have a good tube amp they can recommend that maintains a tighter grip on the bass, and can be picked up on the used market?

That is why the VTL IT-85 interests me. The reviews say it is a tube amp that retains tube advantages, but has good bass control.

My only concern being the 60W being used with the Proacs with my size of room and that it might run out of juice.

I listen to a lot of jazz, and also a lot of rock (all variations) and some electronica.

[Tarzan]

Thanks for the feedback. The XTZ certainly looks interesting, have to do some reading on that one.

I am leaning towards a tube amp, but after having used solid state for years, I am wary about the bass side of things. Meaning ending up with a sound that is too soft or warm in the bass. The high frequencies and midrange gains that generally come with a tube amp are enticing, as are potential gains in soundstage.

With that in mind, does anyone have a good tube amp they can recommend that maintains a tighter grip on the bass, and can be picked up on the used market?

That is why the VTL IT-85 interests me. The reviews say it is a tube amp that retains tube advantages, but has good bass control.

My only concern being the 60W being used with the Proacs with my size of room and that it might run out of juice.




I listen to a lot of jazz, and also a lot of rock (all variations) and some electronica.


l would say 60w not enough to hear these speakers properly, 100w minimum.

[Riislingen]

Proac sounds great with tubes!

That said, even quite easily driven, they sound better with a bit of oomph in my opinion.

I would avoid anything highly detailed with extremely extended treble, my experience is that Proacs can get slightly screechy with equipment like that.

Of the ones on your list, I´d probably go for Mcintosh or the VTL. The Karan is very clean sounding, Modwright too treble-centric/extended for my liking. But as always, YMMV and you need to demo in your own room.

You could consider something from ARC as well, great fit with Proac - like ARC VSI60. Great sound, muscle and sonic fit.

http://www.audioresearch.com/VSi60.html

Or Pass Labs INT30 or INT150 - would match perfect as well I´d say.

[ppat2]

Does anyone have an opinion how the D2's would work and sound with a new model Unison Research S6 integrated tube amp?

My room is 25L x 12W x 9H feet and speakers fire down the length.

My local dealer who i have a good relationship with, says the amp would have enough power for my needs, even for rock. He said he would favor this over a Bryston B135, and he sells both at comparable prices. He admits the Bryston would have more power, but said the class A Unison will also be good and more musical with the D2's.

My concern is the D2's 88.5db.

It is class A at 35W and earns some very good reviews from several sources.

[Floyddroid]

There is a very tasty Vincent SV-236 on shitbay that would do the job very well indeed.:)

[The Grand Wazoo]

Paul is in Canada Steve.

[ppat2]

No problems guys, thanks for the suggestions. I just checked online here for the Vincent, and I see someone locally just sold one for only $1600 and in new condition, and less than a year old. I've checked out the reviews on it, and it does well.

So many choices. Tempted by tubes and would like to stick with my dealer simply because has given me so many good deals, and always far below what the other retailers sell the same gear for.

That said, I've also purchased a lot of used gear. Going to keep looking about, but I do appreciate any other suggestions for tube or SS integrateds for the Proac D2's.

[ppat2]

I have a chance to demo an Air Tight ATM-1 tube power amp. This is not the S anniversary edition, but it is a newish model in top condition.

Anyone have experience with one of these amps, and thoughts on matching with Proac Response D Two?

Output impedance is 8 ohm and 36W per.

[Tarzan]

I have a chance to demo an Air Tight ATM-1 tube power amp. This is not the S anniversary edition, but it is a newish model in top condition.

Anyone have experience with one of these amps, and thoughts on matching with Proac Response D Two?

Output impedance is 8 ohm and 36W per.


If you listen at high volume and want the dynamics of rock music etc, then 36w may not be enough.................

[ppat2]

I have the Air Tight ATM-1 being demo'd now in my home. One word:

WOW!

Talk about organic sound. Leaps above my existing setup, in all aspects including power output.

Regarding power output. What a huge surprise. This has more power output at 36w, than does my NAD at 150w. The amp has left and righ attenuator dials on the front, and I am having to turn them down 25% so that I get more usable volume range from my preamp. Otherwise I am stuck using the first 25% of range on the preamp.

I am only turning the amp up 1/4 on the volume dial, and it just loading the room detail, dynamics, and bass and highs to die for. This is such an organic sound, shamed I did not try tubes earlier.

I know there is a general perception in some ranks that tube amps have soft bass. I was concerned about that too. It clearly does not apply to the ATM-1 at least. I am used to real bass slam from my NAD, and getting that again with the ATM-1 but with much more bass definition.

My plan was to trim down and go to integrated, but after hearing this I can't go back. Damn space saving!!!

It is not physically a large amp, but weighs ~50 pounds. This one happens to be a Japanese sold amp, so I am using a step up/down transformer as the amp is 240 and power here is 120.

I can have this one if I want for $3K and that price includes some pretty nice ceramic titanium tube rings, the step up transformer, and new output tubes. The rest of the tubes are a year old and not much use as this is a dealer amp, and he is busy selling all the latest digital amps and server and such that are becoming a trend.

This sound so damn good I can't imagine going another direction now. I'll know for certain after a few more days of listening.

[ppat2]

Hi folks,

Well, it's a done deal, purchased the Air Tight, no going back after hearing tube magic at it's finest. What a match for the Proac's, made in heaven...