Amp recommendation for my "new" Amati homage!

[metaphacts]

Originally Posted by VT Skier

Hmmm, I generally defer to Bill, but if you're going to look at used, I agree with John that you should consider the Simaudio I-7 and maybe a new Peachtree iDAC ($999), both Stereophile Class A. Or a demo Boulder 865 integrated if you want to spend a little more. The Sim I-7 is the best integrated I've heard (and owned).

I've heard, and read, many times, that SF speakers like power, and both the Sim and Boulder have more watts (and current) than the Musica. But having never heard the Musica, if Bill says that's the piece that will sound best with your new speakers, I would go buy one.

The Musica was listed as used because that's the only way to get it. I'm not saying the Musica is the way. It represents extraordinary value. It was the amp whose voice was used in the design of Amati Homage. So it is known as one that works well. There are lots of others.

Add in a new price range of $7.5K for a used pre/power and the world opens up. Just be aware that Amati Homage is sensitive but the load demanding. Check the Stereophile plot from the review. There are many otherwise stellar amps that are not their happiest on Amati Homage. Find one that is and the reward is great. Find one that isn't, please don't blame the messenger - Amati Homage.

I would say this is one where if there are local dealers, you need to listen more than read reviews.

[jfray]

Originally Posted by Freestone

Is a ma6900 as good?

I have not heard the MA6900 but many on this forum believe the MA6600 better.... I used the MA6600 with the Futuras for several months before I upgraded to the 601's. The 6600 is a great integrated amp and I could have been happy with it for a long time. I however will defer to one the experts on this forum (Bill)

[Freestone]

Originally Posted by JohnK

You might want to check the Classifieds here on AA then. Members take really good care of their gear. There's a nice Sim Audio Moon i7 integrated (class a for the first 5 watts...class a was mentioned before) and vintage Tandberg pre and power amp. I haven't looked at digital classifieds.

I'll leave it to the others here more knowledgeable to say if they would be good matches for the Amati.

I didn't realize there were classifieds - and I still can't find them.

[kfr01]

Originally Posted by Freestone

I didn't realize there were classifieds - and I still can't find them.

Freestone: Very soon I will be listing my W4S DAC-2 for under retail of the DAC-1 and my McIntosh MA6600 for thousands off the retail on our fine forum's marketplace. If you subscribe, you'll see them when they are listed and will be able to PM with me regarding the details...

[jfray]

Originally Posted by Freestone

I didn't realize there were classifieds - and I still can't find them.

If you become a member you can see them..... It is worth every penny!! I have saved THOUSANDS by buying used equipment from other members. (Read my gear list)

[JohnK]

Originally Posted by Freestone

I didn't realize there were classifieds - and I still can't find them.

Freestone, you have to be a subscriber to see the Classifieds. You can see many of us are subscribers by the banners under our names in our posts. In addition to the classifieds there are other benefits...for example over the last couple months Ivan has raffled a DAC and now a gift certificate for subscribers that respond in a particluar thread.

I copied the following from the "subscriber" sticky-I assume it's still correct?

Today we are proud to announce the unveiling of AudioAficionado’s new Subscriber Membership.

A Subscriber will be a regular member who pays $25.00 per year. Just go to your User CP and in the menu under Miscellaneous is a link for Subscriptions. You must click it and then they are walked through the payment. Payments will be accepted through Paypal or Credit Card.

For the annual fee of $25.00 you will get the following benefits:

Ability to Post Pics
Access to Buy/Sell Forum
Access to the "Inner Circle Forum"
Increase picture storage
Ability to Private Message
Increase PM capacity to 1000
Ability to delete your posts
Ability to add 4 lines in your Signature
Ability to upload a animated profile picture
Ability to upload a animated avatar
Change color, font of name
Can have picture album
Can create and join social group’s
Set themselves to be invisible to the rest of the board
Subscribers will be eligible for free gear raffles
Subscribers will also be eligible for group discounts on selected manufacturers gear
Most importantly, be a part of and support the AA website!

There will be adjustments as we go to the permission’s given to subscriber’s.

Here is the link to become an AA Subscriber using your credit card or Paypal:

AudioAficionado.org

If you would prefer to pay by check PM me.

Thanks, Ivan aka Masterlu

[Freestone]

trying to join now... pretty obscure to find the link!

Since I am impatient to start listening, here's some contenders that i can get very quickly, most from dealers which helps as I trust them too (though I would trust any user here that others vouch for as well)

1. Mcintosh 6900 $3,000
2. Musica $2,200 (THIS MAY BE THE ONE I GET BASED ON BILL"S COMMENTS UNLESS SOMEONE SAYS I SHOULD INVEST MORE AND GET MUCH MORE PERFORMANCE)
3. Luxman L590a-2 $7,000
4. Boulder 250ae monoblocks $2,500 (plus preamp)
5. sim i-7 (how much is that?) ???

plus whatever is on the AA for sale page that I can't see!

thanks again,

[Freestone]

Btw, thank you everyone for your patience and understanding with me. I just want to get set up and listening, and I am not a tweaker or changer... and I hate auditioning and am not sure I have a great sense of hearing either so I value your opinions more than mine!

I just want to know that I have done justice to the speakers, and that I am within reason have a well matched system at an affordable price, so I can just listen to music.

And since I have the speakers, I would like to get them playing. (unless my little Nova can drive them in the interim!!!

[miniguy]

Originally Posted by metaphacts

The Musica was listed as used because that's the only way to get it. I'm not saying the Musica is the way. It represents extraordinary value. It was the amp whose voice was used in the design of Amati Homage. So it is known as one that works well. There are lots of others.

Add in a new price range of $7.5K for a used pre/power and the world opens up. Just be aware that Amati Homage is sensitive but the load demanding. Check the Stereophile plot from the review. There are many otherwise stellar amps that are not their happiest on Amati Homage. Find one that is and the reward is great. Find one that isn't, please don't blame the messenger - Amati Homage.

I would say this is one where if there are local dealers, you need to listen more than read reviews.

So why is it shown on the Sumiko website under the Classic and Homage speakers?

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by Freestone

I didn't realize there were classifieds - and I still can't find them.

You will after you become a member.

http://www.audioaficionado.org/payments.php