Pick me a modern amp

[wemist01]

Got a favorite you want to point me to? I'm all ears:

I generally make do with hardware that is somewhat vintage. Recently the reviews for the Topping LA90 piqued my curiosity in the potential benefits of an amp upgrade, but now that I have some money to play with, I've become concerned that the Topping's power could be inadequate. This is especially true since I grabbed a used pair of Revel Concerta F12s a few weeks ago. I like them a lot, but they probably require more power than the Revel m106s I used as my primaries before.

Here's my current setup:
Arcam Alpha 10 Power Amp
Input: MiniDSP 2x4 (which itself has inputs from a NAD receiver and an Onkyo SE-U55SX DAC/ADC that handles connections from phono amp, BluSound and computer.
Speakers: SVS SB-2000
Revel M106
Revel Concerta F12

Budget: $500-$1500
Thanks for any thoughts.

 

[BlackTalon]

I have a VTV Purifi that comes in a couple hundred $ under your upper limit. Check out Buckeye for his offerings -- there are a few different amps based on different modules, and his prices are fantastic.

 

[wemist01]

Buckeye: helpful link, thanks. What do you think of NCORE vs NCx vs Purifi? An NCORE two-channel looks like a bargain.

 

[fpitas]

Buckeye: helpful link, thanks. What do you think of NCORE vs NCx vs Purifi? An NCORE two-channel looks like a bargain.

All good. The Benchmark AHB2 is another good choice.

Review and Measurements of Benchmark AHB2 Amp

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Benchmark AHB2 Amplifier using THX technology to reduce distortion. I was going to request one for testing due to membership demand but to my pleasant surprise, the company volunteered to contact me and send not one, but two units! I requested...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[caught gesture]

What don’t you like about the Arcam? Is it faulty?

 

[Spocko]

All good. The Benchmark AHB2 is another good choice.

Review and Measurements of Benchmark AHB2 Amp

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Benchmark AHB2 Amplifier using THX technology to reduce distortion. I was going to request one for testing due to membership demand but to my pleasant surprise, the company volunteered to contact me and send not one, but two units! I requested...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Another vote for the Benchmark AHB2 - the engineering is solid, consistent and predictable. This thing runs cool to the touch and totally earns all the accolades it's received in both pro and hifi forums!
Edit: oops my bad I just realized you had a budget of $1500, checking the price, AHB2 is currently $3,300

 

[SuicideSquid]

Buckeye: helpful link, thanks. What do you think of NCORE vs NCx vs Purifi? An NCORE two-channel looks like a bargain.

I've got a 6-channel Buckeye hypex amplifier and it's great. The guy who runs Buckeye is active on this forum and is very approachable - consider e-mailing him with your setup and ask him his recommendation.

If you just need two channels, Purifi typically performs slightly better than Hypex, while Hypex is usually more cost-effective for multichannel setups, but you can't go wrong either way.

 

[ZolaIII]

Actually your new Revels are 3.5 dB more efficient than old one's so if you're NAD could drive old one's it will do it even better with new one's.
If you really, really want a new amplifier and really, really can't figure a better way to burn the money check the ATI Hypex offering. I would stick with what I already have regarding power amplifier if I whose you and probably spend the money on room treatment (or something else, you name it).

Edit: another SVS SB-2000, Flex & basic front wall treatment (all money gone).

 

[Spocko]

Buckeye: helpful link, thanks. What do you think of NCORE vs NCx vs Purifi? An NCORE two-channel looks like a bargain.

The Vera P400 uses the NC500 and was very well reviewed here (I bought it for my low sensitivity Perlisten monitors, no complaints). The NC500 is a solid foundation for any modern amplifier with great headroom if you need extra power.

Vera Audio P400/1000 Review (Amplifier)

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Vera Audio P400/1000 Hypex NC500 based amplifier. It was sent to me by the company and costs 26 000 NOK ex VAT (US $2934). The case is milled from solid aluminum and has a nice quality and look to it. It is also quite heavy for a class D amp...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Matias]

Budget: $500-$1500

Right between your budget, made in the US, brand new tech with lots of power, lowest distortion and a great value.

Buckeye Amps

Buckeye Amps utilizes the most advanced audio amplifier technologies available. Authorized seller for Hypex and Purifi Class D amplifiers. Based in the US. Free shipping and worldwide service!

www.buckeyeamp.com

 

[wemist01]

Objectively, I don't have a need, though I'd really like to upgrade from my miniDSP to a miniDSP flex (the former has three inputs and no way of telling which one is selected, which under certain circumstances is very confusing. The latter has a great display and two additional inputs). Moving to the Flex presents the choice of balanced or unbalanced connections. So you have to ask what the best long-term solution is. If I get the balanced, I'd eventually like to move to an amp with balanced input. Hence the original question. I've really got my eye on Buckeye- I love the potential performance gain and the smaller footprint. Might be a while until I make a choice, but the info here got me off my Topping fixation and refocused on what matters. Thanks for all the replies.