Upgrading amp? What do you get for your money

[mcmoyle]

 

I have an Audiolab 6000a which I really like. I have no issues with it. It is the most money I have spent on an amplifier. 

I have been wondering though, what do you get by spending more? Say in the $3000-$5000 area. I feel like I know the difference in jumping from $1000 to $3000 speakers but I'm not sure about what I'm going to get from a similar jump in prices for an amplifier. 

 

Can anyone share their experiences from upgrading their amplifier and been really happy with it or been disappointed and not felt that it was worth it?

 

I'm a fairly risk adverse kind of guy so whilst I would like to spend the money on a higher quantity amplifier I am worried about how much of a difference it would make and whether I would feel it was worth it. 

 

The Audiolab 6000a is connected to Kef Q750s. 

 

Thanks all. 

 

[075Congo]

If you were considering spending $3K to $5K on an amplifier in the SNA Classifieds you would be  acquiring a very different beast. I have just invested $3300 ln an Audio Research Integrated amp which originally sold for $9500.......no warranty as such but the "A-R" build quality is quite remarkable.A quick survey of Integrated Amps currently being old in the SNA Classifieds shows about 8 amps in the price range $1.3K to $5.2K. Brands like KRELL, Yamaha, HEGEL, MCINTOSH are accessible.

[gemini07]

Also, if you cast your net a bit wider, you will discover a range of high end brands such as Accuphase, Luxman, Sansui etc. Although some of these are vintage, the build quality is exceptional.

 

Generally speaking, what you will get is improvement in all aspects of the sound spectrum: better tonality, better bass, bigger sound stage, more lifelike imaging, greater presentation of peripheral details, and more natural presentation. Which of these you value most will be up to your own tastes, but you will have more options in terms of what you can select and how to tailor your sound.

 

I haven't regretted updating any of my amps, although there have been a number of times when I've realised the 'upgrade' was merely a change in flavour, rather than a genuine improvement.

 

What I have learnt is that there is a mass of very high end componentry out there and paying more, if done carefully, can yield much better results - but you don't always need to spend huge amounts to gain improvements - it's a learning process.

 

Keeps the industry going I guess....

[Steff]

"The 6000A stereo amp offers three distinct operational modes; Integrated, Pre-Power and Pre Mode." This is good news!

 

You might then consider MarchAudio Class D power amps that come up at a very reasonable price for SNA sale occasionally. Plenty of power to feed your KEFs (the 50W into 8 Ohms seems a little lean for the Q750s?) and/or any future speaker upgrade.

[andyr]

12 hours ago, mcmoyle said:

 

The Audiolab 6000a is connected to Kef Q750s. 

 

 

I found this about the Q750s:

 

Your Audiolab 6000a is rated at 50w into 8 ohms ... but I couldn't find any rating for its output into 4 ohms.

 

So I would suggest an amp which has a proven capacity to drive a 4ohm load ... will make your Q750s sound better than the Audiolab 6000a does.

 

 

[Dingbat]

To get an idea of how different brands of amplifiers sound at different cost points, it helps to either hear something at dealer's, hear something at a friend's place, go to HiFi shows, and so on. I did this a lot before, and came away some idea of how certain brands sounded, and also decided I just plain didn't like the way a couple of brands rendered the sound.

 

If you've only had the one amplifier, and haven't heard much else, it's difficult to have an idea of how amplification can improve, and what it brings you.

 

Interestingly, around the Christmas break, I was doing some listening tests which somewhat mirror what you have. I have a second system with a Marantz PM6005 Amp and KEF XQ1. The PM6005 is roughly in the price and power rating ballpark of the Audiolab 6000A, the XQ1 is a decent quality bookshelf speaker, though a bit bass shy. Note: My main HiFi system is way more expensive and higher quality than this!

 

I thought the PM6005 was doing a decent job for this level of speaker, then changed it to a Naim Supernait 2, and found the sound was much higher quality - better bass definition, more separation between instruments, detail and authority of the presentation. So with these speakers, the Supernait 2 did make a big difference. As a rough guide, bought new, the price might have been 5 times more.

 

Then I dropped in a Cambridge Audio 640A (which I gave away) - older, and somewhat similar price to PM6005 when bought new. The sound quality was roughly similar, but different. The Marantz was a bit warmer, the CA a bit more fluid in the mid range, certain instruments sounded a little more pleasing.

 

If you're thinking of going up to $3K to $5K, then this gives you an idea of what differences you will get.

 

Once you go much higher than that, amps in the range of $10K to $20K or beyond, then I noticed it was instrumental timbre that then became the defining feature. Pianos, percussion and guitar strings sounded much more realistic. I can hear the twang and decay of individual strings or keys. But this isn't as much apparent at lower levels of quality of amplification.

[Al.M]

On 11/2/2024 at 9:11 PM, mcmoyle said:

anyone share their experiences from upgrading their amplifier

Big difference just look at the build quality and power spec difference and what you get for the extra money between these examples. Depending on the speaker match with amp should get a lot for drive, authority,

power, detail and control in the sound.

Edited February 13, 2024 by Al.M

[075Congo]

I am a few hours away from my Audio Research DSi200 Integrated amp being delivered. The amp has passed through a number of pairs of Stereonet hands and not one owner has been unhappy owning it. The wait has been lengthened by my second COVID 19 infection......picked it up in NZ during a recent visit........a factor of 5 times worse than my first dose in 2022. Just disgusting!

[075Congo]

Still getting used to having the DSi200 in my system and so far its a brilliant amp. Drives my Wilson Benesch Vector floorstanders with great style.......bass output and quality is a real standout.In general terms it is a very serious piece of high-end equipment and does everything with great style. At just over $3K  (original RRP of $9500) it represents the best integrated I have tried in my system.......Conrad Johnson CAV200......Copland CSA 150........MF 6Si........Yamaha A-S2200.

Happy boy.

[muon*]

Ooo...looks like two thirds of the amp is power supply, very nice

[075Congo]

The DSi200 casing is enormous and being Audio Research's version of a Class D will never double-up as a room heater. The stated output of 200 wpc into 8ohms and 300 wpc into 4 ohms is quite conservative. Really takes control of my WB Vectors.

Mick