Best Integrated or Pre/Power Amp Combo for Monitor Audio?

[audio amateur]

You really should try listening to the Monitor Audio GS20 on a Musical Fidelity Amp... the GS20/X-T100 had the sweetest mid-range I've heard... Such a shame they discontinued the X-T100 (I wouldn't need to ask for amp advice if it was available)...

My bad. I was listening to 'Protection' by Massive Attack the other day, which is the track i'd used to audition the GS20's, and realised the bass and highs are more prominent than the midrange. I believe this is what mislead me to think that the 20's midrange isn't great.

[Ajani]

My bad. I was listening to 'Protection' by Massive Attack the other day, which is the track i'd used to audition the GS20's, and realised the bass and highs are more prominent than the midrange. I believe this is what mislead me to think that the 20's midrange isn't great.

No worries... That's part of what makes auditioning gear challenging... the wrong songs can give you a very different impression of how gear sounds... and the right songs can make gear sound much better than it really is... Now, when I audition I just use my favorite albums, rather than 'reference' CDs... It doesn't matter how good gear sounds with test tones or some perfectly mastered recording of a live performance, if it doesn't sound right with the music I'll usually be playing...

[JohnMichael]

I have been looking at the Portal Panache. A nice 100 watt amp with a built in input selector, passive volume and balance control. The amp is rumored to be designed by Nelson Pass and doubles it's power inot a 4 ohm load. Looks like it will drive anything.




http://www.portalaudio.com/panache.html



I also like some of the class d amps out today. The Onkyo A-9555 is a screaming bargain. The PC audio amps are impressing reviewers. Most praise is for the GCC units which use their gain control circuits. The Trio uses the Ice module and that has not received as much praise in that amp but it is still considered very good. I wished I lived in an area with many chances to listen to good equipment. Good luck.

[IowaCityDiehard]

OK, I'm biased (pardon the pun), but I'm a firm believer in finding GOOD used equipment, if you can.

I've owned a lot of equipment over the years from a lot of brands, and my signature below gives away the advice I'm about to give.

Preamp: This is a matter of personal taste, so based on everything I've ever owned, I'm a big fan of Audible Illusions Tube Preamps. If you are into vinyl, the Modulus 3A is the choice. If, like me, your source is CD only, the Modulus L1 is the better choice. I bought my L1 used from a great guy in St. Louis for $600. It retailed for $1900, and is the most stunning sounding pre I've ever heard, hands down.

Amp: Again, I lean towards good used equipment, and have it modified. I'll put my Adcom GFA-545 with Signature mods from Musical Concepts up against ANY solid state amp costing less than $3000. John Hillig of Musical Concepts used to be a Hafler engineer, so Hafler is another great mod choice. I'm not a big fan of E-Pay, but there is a Hafler 220 with MC mods out there right now for far less than the Signature mods cost ($729)... IF it is actually the Signature mod, although their "base" mods are incredible also. If I were in the market for a new amp, I'd either go Adcom or Hafler and have MC mod it...

With patience, and making sure you find a quality seller, a Audible Illusions/Musical Concepts combo could be had for far less than your $2k budget, and I can't imagine anything new approaching the sound... I understand that you don't get a warranty, nor the brand new stuff high, but my advice is based solely on sound quality.

IF I had $2k to spend, and was asked to put together the best sound, I'd try to achieve the following purchases:

Pre: $600 Audible Illusions Tube Line Stage
Amp: $600 Musical Concepts Modded Amp, either Adcom or Hafler
DAC: $800 to spend on a top DAC (Bechmark or PS Audio would be my choices)

Just my 2 cents worth, which might not be worth that! :-)

[the hand of boredom]

Ajani, what a great dilemma to be in.

I've heard amps from each manufacturer except Creek, and each of the speakers from MA you are interested in. My fave of the group would be the GS20.

Will this be strictly 2-channel? Will you add a sub later to this system? How loud will you play it? I don't think 30W will be sufficient to play sustained high level music. As you drive the speakers louder the soundstage may become compressed and the sound may congest a bit.

I would go with the Parasound unit if you are going to run the speakers full range. With 125W, it would have plenty of headroom for all that lovely dynamic detail the GS20 would be waiting to unleash.

If you plan on getting a sub in the future and you will cut-off the signal to the mains from anywhere between 50-80, I would go with the Naim. I've heard a 5i with a GS20 before, and in that room the combo was terrific. Would have done this combo if I didn't have a deal offered on slightly more expensive gear.

Having said that, I would suggest looking at a nice tube integrated or amp. The Antique Sound Lab AQ1001 can be ordered direct from Divergent. Also hear that piece with the 20s and it held it's own with other great gear.

[Ajani]

Ajani, what a great dilemma to be in.

I've heard amps from each manufacturer except Creek, and each of the speakers from MA you are interested in. My fave of the group would be the GS20.

Will this be strictly 2-channel? Will you add a sub later to this system? How loud will you play it? I don't think 30W will be sufficient to play sustained high level music. As you drive the speakers louder the soundstage may become compressed and the sound may congest a bit.

I would go with the Parasound unit if you are going to run the speakers full range. With 125W, it would have plenty of headroom for all that lovely dynamic detail the GS20 would be waiting to unleash.

If you plan on getting a sub in the future and you will cut-off the signal to the mains from anywhere between 50-80, I would go with the Naim. I've heard a 5i with a GS20 before, and in that room the combo was terrific. Would have done this combo if I didn't have a deal offered on slightly more expensive gear.

Having said that, I would suggest looking at a nice tube integrated or amp. The Antique Sound Lab AQ1001 can be ordered direct from Divergent. Also hear that piece with the 20s and it held it's own with other great gear.

Thanks for the advice!

Very interesting to hear from someone who has heard a Naim/Monitor Audio Combo... I'd love to audition such a combo myself one day....

I'll be using the setup in a medium (or maybe small room) 15 x 11 feet with very high ceilings (15 ft or more)... So I definitely won't need a sub... I've heard the GS20s sound amazing on a 50 watt Musical Fidelity in an 11 x 11 room... and also on a 50 watt Audio Refinement Complete in about an 18 x 12 room...

Come to think of it, I've never heard a pair of Monitor Audio speakers on a high powered amp.. I've alway heard them on around 50 watts from Musical Fidelity, Audio Refinement, NAD or Cambridge Audio...

I love the GS20s but I'm not sure I have the patience to save up and buy them... which is why I'm considering the RS6 (which are good but clearly outclassed by the GS20)...

Quick question: Have you heard Arcam and Monitor Audio (I'm told it's supposed to be a good combo)? I'm starting to Consider the Arcam FMJ A18 as a contender as well...

[Ajani]

Oh yeah I forgot to add that it will be strictly 2 channel...

[audio amateur]

I've heard the Arcam Solo with the RS6's. Wasn't bad

[Ajani]

I've heard the Arcam Solo with the RS6's. Wasn't bad

Thanks...

Ummm... not bad huh??? yeah... that's not exactly what I was hoping to hear though... lol

[the hand of boredom]

I have heard Arcam with Monitor Audio.

Years ago at an old dealer we pushed an a pair of Bronze 4 with an Arcam integrated.

More recently, one of my closest friends has the GS20 and was driving them with an Arcam DVD and Receiver setup in 5.1. When in 2ch mode, it does the job; but keep in mind he has all this set up on the short side wall of a living room that opens up to the rest of the house. The speakers are against the wall.

I have heard these same 20s powered with several different amps - Anthem MCA20 (225W), Marantz SR4300 (85W), McIntosh receiver (don't know the model, 125W), and now a Primare SPA22 (120W). IMO, McIntosh the clear winner, with the Anthem a VERY close second. But then again, he listens at much louder volumes and thus needs those many extra watts.