Looking for a new amplifier - Luxman or maybe Quad... or something else?

[karma1967]

theres a 686 for sale on audioaddicts right now,built buy the guy in the above ebay links.

[mikeyb]

And it's nearly £600 off new price too

https://audioaddicts.freeforums.net/thread/2513/

[hifi_dave]

Hi all.

I'm looking to get a solid state amplifier for my Tannoy Monitor Gold speakers.

Although I have tried a Quad amp, namely the 306 mostly. I did think it was a very nice sounding amp and it's certainly another contender but I'm now thinking of going balanced as I'd like to use longer signal cable runs.

Something else to try is a Luxman as they have always intrigued me. Some of their kit is also balanced which would also fit the bill.. But, my budget for a Luxman might not fit so it might be more of a waiting game for that.

Has anyone got any experience with Luxman and Quad in their system?

Of course, I can't restrict myself here so other amps would be of interest.

I'm after good slam yet the ability for delicacy, plenty of dynamics and bottom.

My budget is £2k

Any ideas would be great.

Take a look at the www.radlettaudio.co.uk site for Luxman and Quad bargains.

[Ali Tait]

And it's nearly £600 off new price too

https://audioaddicts.freeforums.net/thread/2513/

Just seen this, was going to post a link. Bit of a bargain that.

[losepete]

The Meridian G57 is worth considering, there is a pre-owned unit currently on ebay https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255277746646

[AJSki2fly]

How about one of these https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/325270452...MAAOSwIS9iybA1
great VFM and vG SQ, match with a neutral pre and it will drive your speakers very well and sound good, better main caps and ancillaries service is around £300-400. I have had one of these and should have kept it.

Alternatively

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265716071...kAAOSwqXhilcnz

hard to beat at this price point, excellent SQ, clean and open soundstage, great low end control, not much complain about once again just put with a neutral pre, you will probably never change it, FIREBOTTLE is your man if you want to pick his brains on them, or you want to service if you get it, they are pretty indestructible.

[The Black Adder]

Thanks for the links, chaps.

As for Meridian. I've never been a fan of the signature of them.

Krell.... oooh, looks like it could be a monster.

Great suggestions up to now, thanks... something to do a bit of research on.

[Sherwood]

One advantage of amps like my NuPrime and the Audiophonics is their efficiency. In idle mode my NuPrime draws just 15w.

Although I have not used it in ages, I feel guilty owning my Art Audio Quintet valve amp which functions as a space heater.

[AJSki2fly]

Thanks for the links, chaps.

As for Meridian. I've never been a fan of the signature of them.

Krell.... oooh, looks like it could be a monster.

Great suggestions up to now, thanks... something to do a bit of research on.

If you have not heard a Meridian 557, then very worth while a listen to, it is very neutral, the only improvement that can be got from it is better maim caps which will give better bottom end control and a couple of improved smaller caps, it is effectively a dual mono in one box. Pretty neutral IMHO as standard.

The Krell at this price point just knocks most things out of the park, a friend has a Vitus RI-101 mk2 INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER, a serious piece of kit (£17K), driving a pair of Tannoy Kensington GRs, we compared it with the Krell(in the same system), TBH there were only very, very subtle differences which were very hard to determine IMO.

I have never looked back since buying a KSA-80(not many around), FIREBOTTLE fettled it with a pair of new main caps and upgraded the power supply board caps. It is the best amp I have ever had, but then the 557 was not that far behind it, the Krell is a little more detailed. I use my Krell with an Audiolab 8300CDQ which has a pretty decent pre-amp, this also gives me a good DAC, CDP and simple flexibility, I could improve a bit with a dedicate pre-amp, but its the old story of diminishing returns for lots more cash.

[AJSki2fly]

And it's nearly £600 off new price too

https://audioaddicts.freeforums.net/thread/2513/

Yep, I missed out on one of these before I got the Krell, they are very good as well!