Integrated amp in $2k range for Magnepan 1.6?

[Mike Anderson]

I'm awaiting delivery on a pair of 1.6qr's, and thinking about upgrading my amp (currently a Musical Fidelity A3.2). I'm looking for a 2-channel integrated amp in the $2k-and-under price range (used is great), and would appreciate some recommendations.

Details:

My room isn't huge (15'x20'). I listen to a wide variety of stuff, dominated by ambient/electronica for which resolution is very important, but also rock, jazz, and a small amount of classical.

I'd highly prefer something with a remote control. XLR inputs would be nice too. I don't have a lot of vinyl, so a great phono input isn't a necessity.

A hybrid with tube preamp would also be nice, but not crucial.

Thoughts?

Florian has recommended the Pathos Acoustic One mkII, which fits all of the above criteria, so I plan to audition it once my speakers are broken in.

Links to good used deals on Audiogon and elsewhere are also appreciated. I saw a Plinuis 9200 for $2300 that's slightly out of my price range, but if i can pick it up for cheaper, is that a good match for the 1.6qr's?

Thanks,
Mike

[Florian]

Manley Stingray, Pathos Acoustics Classic One MKI and MKII, Perfect & Pure Audio CST-80, Jadis Orchestra 6550C

[Mike Anderson]

Manley Stingray

Cool-looking amp, but... no remote control (this is really important to me), no balanced inputs, and for my needs, too many tubes!

I'd prefer SS power, if possible. I just don't want to have to deal with re-tubing all the time. But if there's a tube-powered amp that has a remote and is particularly well-matched to the 1.6qr's, I'll consider it.

[Mike Anderson]

Perfect & Pure Audio CST-80

Only web pages I can find on this are in German! Got any links for a 'Murican ignoramus like myself?

[Florian]

Well i dont know if they have remotes or not, i just recommend on sound ;-) You will be extremely hard pressed to find a SS amp that will beat these guys. Dont worry about retubing, they hold a very long time. They held 5 years on my Pathos.

-Flo

[Mike Anderson]

Jadis Orchestra also has no remote.

Tubes are a possibility, I'm not ruling them out altogether. But I'm not convinced of the superiority of tubes, frankly. Maybe I'm dead wrong about that I suppose...

Lord knows I love tubes in guitar amps, and in fact I have dozens of high quality NOS tubes sitting around for that purpose. But in guitar amps you're trying to get the smooth sound of nonlinear distortion that only tubes can provide.

If we're talking about accurate, distortion-free reproduction, do tubes really offer any advantage over SS?

[Florian]

Not all tubes are created equal, you just have to meet the right ones ;-)

[jack201]

I owned 1.6QRs in the past. I also listen to a lot of electronica, house and progressive trance.

I would look for a second hand DK Design Integrated amp. A new one from LSA Group would set you back about 3 Grand MSRP, I have no idea what street prices are like over there in the U.S.

Pre-owned, It should fit right in your budget. The Pathos is gorgeous and will make the DK look rather...ummm...hulking but the DK will provide all the grunt you'll need while retaining the delicacy and finesse required for mind bending synth pad ambience. It also has balanced inputs so you won't need to use an adapter from your DAC1.

Like the Pathos it is a Hybrid design. As Florian stated don't worry. Tubes really do last a long time and are very easy to source provided you aren't hunting for decades old NOS rarities.