Rega with SF?

[Bavarian05]

Originally Posted by Glisse

I thought you were selling your Evos? It isn't the watts, it's the current. Not enough of the latter, and the bass will lack extension and be a little soft. Nothing to do with playback volume - you will hear this effect at any volume. The specs on the Elicit seem fine. I used a Pass INT-30A with the Evo and it was good in the bass. My Burmester 082, which has a higher power rating, couldn't provide enough current to control the bass drivers as well. But the Burmester was much (MUCH) better, for me, on the top end than the Pass amp. I should have bought an 032, which has a similar power rating than the 082, but a much bigger power transformer, LOL! So look at how the amp increases power into low impedance as a guide. The Evos are just as demanding (if not more so) as my Amati BTW - phase angle at the crossover is as important as impedance. If your dealer is nice, perhaps he will lend you a Luxman to try out? I haven't heard them, but my understanding is that the Class A and Class AB models do not sound as full as Accuphase or Pass. The 350 is only 20w at 8ohms. Sounds below marginal to me (for a SS amp). If you are after a relatively low cost integrated that will not pull down the potential performance of the Evos too much, perhaps try and get hold of a Hegel H160? I haven't heard one yet, but I'd like to. Maybe a Naim Supernait 2, as I suspect this might at minimum match the Rega amps on pacing, and exceed them on resolution? These two might provide the kind of dynamic "shading" with decent resolution that you are looking for. The Evos, as I'm sure you know, are quite resolving speakers and whilst they will play and sound nice with just about anything, they need a very good amp to start approaching their potential. Otherwise with "just" a nice amp they will sound... nice

I may sell them if I can't find a relatively affordable amp to go with them. I am strongly considering the Luxman L-550AX with is a high current pure Class A amp that is rated for 40 watts into 4 ohm load. I have been reading a lot and it seems it may fit the bill for my speakers and smaller room. Pricing is $4,995. Not cheap, but not astronomical either. Curious about its built in MC phono preamp too. I want delicacy with decent current. Anyone here have or heard one?

[Bavarian05]

Ordered a new Luxman L-550AX this morning.
Hopefully it will be a great match.

[Glisse]

Look forward to your thoughts

[temptation]

Matched my Guarneri Homage with Rega Osiris Int Amplifier. STUNNING!!!

[steveashe]

I had an L-550ax for about 3 years. Partnered with Sonus Faber EAII speakers, this was a synergistic match. Loved the meters :-). Very classy looking and sounding amp. Never felt like I was missing anything at 20 W per channel. Phono section was very good too with low output Dynavector 20XL2. Eventually moved the EAII's into my bedroom system and bought a pair of Magnepan 1.7's for the living room. Ran out of steam with 1.7's, just a lack of headroom at least for me. Guess not too much of a surprise.

[Bavarian05]

Originally Posted by steveashe

I had an L-550ax for about 3 years. Partnered with Sonus Faber EAII speakers, this was a synergistic match. Loved the meters :-). Very classy looking and sounding amp. Never felt like I was missing anything at 20 W per channel. Phono section was very good too with low output Dynavector 20XL2. Eventually moved the EAII's into my bedroom system and bought a pair of Magnepan 1.7's for the living room. Ran out of steam with 1.7's, just a lack of headroom at least for me. Guess not too much of a surprise.

I can't recommend this amplifier enough. It is honestly stunning. The power rating is very misleading. The Guarneri's are always said to be hard to drive, and it has no issue driving them at all. No sense of compression or lack of potency on any material. Really wish I would have tried Class A solid state much, much sooner. Tubes are cool and had always been my default, but Class A offers all the current that tubes are missing and keeps all the warmth and such a beautiful sense of clarity. For $5000, there is little I can think of that will touch it - at least in my experience. I'm thrilled with this purchase. I ordered it without having heard one. Dealer said I would be pleasantly surprised...