Hi,
While i wait in ambush for a black friday sale on a high powered amplifier, like the M700, what are the “go to” competitors in this space?
I require 350w+ into 8 ohms and would like a 2x into 4ohms, good damping, and clean/neutral sound.
A Gryphon Diablo integrated has 333 watts into 8 and doubles that wattage into 4, is cleaner than you could possibly imagine, but costs $25k
thank you @adifferentpaul
Anything in the $1500 - $2500 range?
Lots of companies like this:
You could wait for a used Parasound A21+ to show up on TMR.
new ones are $4200 black, $3600 silver (yes, costs more for black @vkennedy61)
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You have to examine the “fine print” of design carefully on amps like that to see if they’re comparable to the M700s IMO. Many are just bone stock modules stuffed in an off the shelf case. I’ve owned amps similar to those with stock M1200 modules and I also own PS Audio M1200s using the same modules for output. No comparison whatsoever. The M1200s are greatly superior.
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Maybe, maybe not. My Apollon amp is awesome and a screaming good deal.
The M1200’s are typically around $4k on the used market
Hey CT patriot
Perhaps a bit out of your search price range but well worth the price of
admission. A superbly crafted and well built Class A/AB amp with the
first 8 watts in class A then on to 300 watts per channel…
Enjoyed my A21 for 5 years before trading it up for a Parwasound JC5!!
The Parasound A21+
Happy hunting
Best wishes
This is for brand new. He could wait for one to show up on the used market for about half. Did you look at the price difference between black and silver?
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No I didm’t as I assumed either way price should be the same…
Best wishes
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I have noticed that black is more expensive with Pass Labs and Parasound.
if it’s a DLC coating i could see that being the case. Those coatings really protect the metal from scratches and dissipate heat a little better. It’s been tested in the firearms industry.
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You know my answer. When I 1st heard these 4 years ago. I sold my 3 M700’s and one M350. As much as I respect and enjoy Darren’s work (his Stellar Phono will NEVER leave my rig). Orchard has a more Neutral sound without being strident, harsh, fatiguing. Yes those are qualities similar to the M700’s but put a nice Tube or jfet based Preamp in front of a Orchard Audio Amplifier and to many of us, it’s magic.
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I just took a second look and observed that if the choose option is not
clicked, the A21+ price in black is $3599, however if you check the black option then
price goes up to $4199 …rather out of line …this is a new pricing…
However B items will be priced far more reasonably…me thinks
Best wishes all
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There are a number of A21+s listed on HiFi Shark now. And just curious why do you feel like you need 350wpc. What type of speaker are you trying to drive and in what sized room?
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@dawkinsj thanks for the heads up.
The speakers are a set of Mirage M3si https://www.stereophile.com/floorloudspeakers/1192mirage/index.html
These speakers are 83db sensitivity and 6ohm. I have tried them with 75w/ch amp and it was thin sounding. I then tried with 250w/ch amp and it sounded better. That 250w (into 8ohm) amp (Adccom 5800) has now started sounding frail. I believe the capacitors are in need of replacement.
That said, i’ve read of people having greater success with more watts on these speakers. 600w/ch is not too much…supposed to make them sound very good.
Would the A21+ sound as good (or better) than an M700?
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The A21+ has a Class A/AB feature where the A21+ will run in Class A for the first
8 watts then on to to 300 watts Class AB nd is bridgeable to 1000 watts.
Can also output up to 60 amps per channel…as good as the M700 is It no where close to this.
The output amps enable a deeper wider taller more realistic soundstage…
Audio Advisor lists the specs more clearly.
My former A21 had awesome dynamics highly detailed and very sweet liquid
sound…traded up for a Parasound JC5…even more refined…
Best wishes
In my opinion likely better in that with your speakers the most important factor would be the power supply and current delivery. The Parasound should win that battle easily. In his review of the amp Kalman was using the also current hungry Revel speakers and it drove them with ease. Check out the review and measurements of the A21+ in the Stereophile review. Having owned speakers as difficult to drive in the past as your Mirage’s I would chose the Parasound if sheer power is your aim. There are amps from Bryston and others that will meet your needs but likely at higher prices.
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