Amp choice for Dynaudio C2

[ACapella]

Hi everybody,

I have bought recently Dynaudio C2 loudspeakers and Musical Fidelity A5 amplifier + CD. I wouldn't say I am disappointed, but I feel a kind of dryness in the medium-highs which is not coming from the loudspeakers (I tried a very expensive PASS combo from a friend but not affordable for me ).
The shop owner where I bought my hifi installation, tells me that the A5 CD player cannot be blamed and propose me to take back the A5 amplifier without loss and propose me a
AUDIO RESEARCH SP16 preamp and a BRYSTON 4BSST power amp for driving my C2. According to him this is the best combination with my loudspeakers.
Being a starter in hifi matters, I would like suggestions from more experienced audiophiles and if possible C2 owners.

Thnaks in advance for your input

[Feanor]

Hi everybody,

I have bought recently Dynaudio C2 loudspeakers and Musical Fidelity A5 amplifier + CD. I wouldn't say I am disappointed, but I feel a kind of dryness in the medium-highs which is not coming from the loudspeakers (I tried a very expensive PASS combo from a friend but not affordable for me ).
The shop owner where I bought my hifi installation, tells me that the A5 CD player cannot be blamed and propose me to take back the A5 amplifier without loss and propose me a
AUDIO RESEARCH SP16 preamp and a BRYSTON 4BSST power amp for driving my C2. According to him this is the best combination with my loudspeakers.
Being a starter in hifi matters, I would like suggestions from more experienced audiophiles and if possible C2 owners.

Thnaks in advance for your input

Hi, ACapella, and welcome,

I have no specific recommendation, having heard on of the equipment you mention. However some of them do have reputations I'm familiar with.

As for the A5, I'm just a bit surprised you find it "dry" but since you're pretty sure it's not the C5's, I'll chalk that up to information learned.

And as for the ARC SP16 / Bryston 4B SST combo, your dealer ought to be careful saying anything is "best". Likely say it's just the best that he can offer given the lines he sells. What your dealer is counting on is that the SP16, being a tube preamp, will inject some of the tube warmth and harmonic richness: the Bryston SST's are noted for "neutrality", that is, it isn't itself likely to alleviate the dryness you hear.

Also, the SP16 + 4B SST combo isn't cheap, assuming you're talking new prices. (What? $4500-6000?). This would give you some nice options assuming you weren't locked into the dealer on account of the A5. What is the sensitivity rating of the C2's? This will tell you what kind of power you need: as a pure guess I'd say 150-200 wpc.

[ACapella]

Hi Bill,

Thanks for the welcome... The C2's are not in cause, nor the cables. I tested with a friend's combo and most likely my dealer is right, because I tested with another dac today and the phenomenon was still present.

The combo ARC/Bryston is around 6000 $. The senitivity of the C2's is (2.83 V/1 m) 88 dB. I would say a minimum 200 W amp is need

[Feanor]

Hi Bill,

Thanks for the welcome... The C2's are not in cause, nor the cables. I tested with a friend's combo and most likely my dealer is right, because I tested with another dac today and the phenomenon was still present.

The combo ARC/Bryston is around 6000 $. The senitivity of the C2's is (2.83 V/1 m) 88 dB. I would say a minimum 200 W amp is need

Nowadays I buy used equipment -- a process not without its risks and disappointments, but the only way this poor boy can get anything he might like. In that basis I have some random thoughts

McIntosh has a long reputation for musicality and the new models are better than ever, so I hear. Here's a nice, current model MA6990 integrated on Audiogon ...
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....ran&1189152286

Or maybe this Jeff Rowland Concerto integrated ...
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....ran&1188418386

Or for a preamp/power amp combo, start with this BAT VK-30 preamp (with phono preamp in this case) ...
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....ube&1189131097

To that add a power amp or monoblock pair, maybe another BAT, the VK-250, (only 150 wpc, though) ...
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....ran&1189910377

Or a pair of Classe CAM 200 monoblocks ...
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....ran&1189575013

Or, for that matter, the Bryston 4B SST ...
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....ran&1187445431, or
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....ran&1188749422

Simaudio, I believe, is note for a for a very musical presentation. You likely wouldn't go far wrong with a pre/power combo from them. E.g. a P-5 preamp ...
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....ran&1187455652, or
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....ran&1188861029

... In combination with a W-5 ...
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....ran&1189022207

... or a pair of W-6's ...
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....ran&1188618415

Gosh! That was fun.

[jrhymeammo]

but the only way this poor boy can get anything he might like.

I'll spin a tune to that

It's kinda like digging thru crates of wax. Never know what you are going to find for cheap. Not too bad, considering you'll get most of your money back when you find out it's not for you.$5-6K budget will be fun spree.

JRA

[NickWH]

Well, I know Dynaudio uses Simaudio gear for their Home Entertainment shows, so I would think the manufacturer probably believes this is the best combination for their speakers!

http://blog.stereophile.com/he2006/060406sim/

http://blog.stereophile.com/he2007//index4.html

http://www.audiofederation.com/hifii...rt29/index.htm

http://shows.soundstagelive.com/show...simaudio.shtml

Many people also like the Plinius "house sound" for use with Dynaudio, as these amps tend to sound more musical and less mechanical than other solid-state gear.

http://www.pliniusaudio.com