Amp suggestions for Magnepan 1.6

[blackraven]

I have a pair of 1.6's and run it with a Parasound A21 amp and an Van Alstine hybrid Tube preamp. The A21 is a good match but the 1.6's really shine with a tube amp and preamp. I think that the Vincent would be a good match but I would give serious consideration to this Van Alstine Synergy amp which is a SS that was built with the goal to sound like a tube amp and it definitely does. I got to do an in studio audition of the prototype and it has since been improved- They are nothing special to look at but the money goes into the electronics. They come with a 30 day money back guaranty. And the customer service is second to none. The owner Frank Van Alstine always answers the phone and his emails. Go for the double die option which increases the current. These amps will double their power at 4ohms. You can get the Synergy 350 with the double die ( twice the Mosfets) for $1599. I am eventually going to buy one of the Synergy amps.


Audio By Van Alstine (AVA) Synergy 450 Power Amplifier Blockbuster performance for only $1999! Review By Anthony Nicosia

avahifi - Power Amplifiers Comparison Grid

Take a look at his T-8 tube preamp as well. You could go with the tube preamp and a SS amp.

avahifi - Preamplifiers Comparison Grid

Another amp to consider is this Peachtree 220 digital am which is tube like-
http://www.audioemporium.com/Peachtree_220.pdf

Peachtree220 Power Amplifier | Peachtree Audio

[harley .guy07]

From the three amps you have mentioned I would think that either the Parasound or the Vincent would be the better choice over the Bryston since most of the people I have talked to that have tried Bryston say that they are detailed but lifeless and dry sounding compared to other amps. I have heard a couple of Brystons and to me they seemed to lack musical emotion and while they do have decent bass they can seem in your face. You are using a Adcom right now and so am I as I have went back to it after trying a class d audio amp and it not working in my system. I am also on the lookout for a amp but I think I am going to try to stay in The Nelson Pass camp with a Threshold or a Pass labs amp because it seems that his designs have more musical presence to them than others.

[blackraven]

Another thing to consider after upgrading the amp is to up grade your Cd player with a better one or stand alone DAC. My AVA DAC added much more detail, resolution, depth, warmth and transparency over my $1300 Cambridge Audio 850c CDP.

[lewburgh]

Another thing to consider after upgrading the amp is to up grade your Cd player with a better one or stand alone DAC. My AVA DAC added much more detail, resolution, depth, warmth and transparency over my $1300 Cambridge Audio 850c CDP.

Thanks guys for all the great feedback! Im leaning away from the bryston and parasound, as while both are superior in sound to my adcom, also a lot more $$$$. Like what im reading about van alstine line and peachtree. Also like the idea i can keep the alstine amp for 30 days and return if i dont like it. I think i can demo the peachtree at my local hifi store, Hanson audio. Anyone famaliar with them, in dayton oh.

[blackraven]

You will find that the Van Alstine amp is smoother and more liquid than the Parasound. I brought my A21 to Mr Van Alstine's house and it went head to head with the Synergy 450, while the A21 held its own in some respects, the 450 just sounded better.

By the way, audioadvisor also has a 30 day money back deal with its Parasound gear.

[lewburgh]

You will find that the Van Alstine amp is smoother and more liquid than the Parasound. I brought my A21 to Mr Van Alstine's house and it went head to head with the Synergy 450, while the A21 held its own in some respects, the 450 just sounded better.

By the way, audioadvisor also has a 30 day money back deal with its Parasound gear.

I think the Vincent Audio 331 is out, I was reading that the tubes are soldered on, which is a concern for me.
I may go with the Van Alstine, I didn't notice the Synergy 350 model on the website, saw a Synergy 300 and 450. Is that a new model, I'm guessing?

[blackraven]

My mistake, there is no 350 only a 300 and 450. The Synergy 300 would be fine with the double die (mosfet option) for the 1.6's. But I always like more power with the Maggies.

If you decide to go with the Van Alstine amp, give Frank and call and tell him Larry from Woodbury said hi!

[TheHills44060]

...I think i can demo the peachtree at my local hifi store, Hanson audio. Anyone famaliar with them, in dayton oh.

I may have driven past it when I was visiting my friend in Dayton in 2001 but I do not remember the name. He also lived a walk's distance away from another nice hifi shop but that place closed down a couple years later.