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New Amp recommendations for Quad 21l2....

96.231.151.8
Posted on October 31, 2009 at 17:01:37
martyw
Audiophile

Posts: 3
Joined: October 31, 2009
Hi all -- not very happy with my current setup (Quad 21l2 speakers and a Jolida 302BRC amp) and explore two solid state integrated options:

(1) Add a new under $500 amp and put the Jolida in the closet for a while, or

(2) Sell the Jolida, and get a more expensive amp (under $1000).

Does anyone have any good amp recommendations for me?

Thanks -- Marty

RE: New Amp recommendations for Quad 21l2...., posted on November 5, 2009 at 07:59:34
prfont
 The quad 21l2s need SS control, imo. I thought that my Nait 5i was a very good match with the quads. Speed, warmth and control. My problem with the quads is that they need quite a bit of room behind them or they can get a little bloated.

The naim won't give you all the tube goodness of the jolida, but I think it's a better match for the speakers.

RE: Quad Makes Great SS Amps., posted on November 2, 2009 at 11:10:50
Vinylly
 Read the Quad 405 Amp Review on this website. You should be able to pick up a used 405 at a very reasonable price. If you want something up-to-date there is the 909 or the 99 series amps. You might be able to pick up a used one of these as well at audiogon.com.
Why not go all Quad ???

RE: New Amp recommendations for Quad 21l2...., posted on October 31, 2009 at 20:34:03
OldManRiver
Audiophile

Posts: 20
Location: Wisconsin
Joined: August 29, 2009

While I have never owned or looked to purchase an intergrated,the build quality of the Denon PMA-2000IVR always impressed me.It may not have the "boutique" factor but there has been much discussion of this amp on this forum,try a search.
This amp looks great with the hood open.$500-600 used?

what doesn't the system do?, posted on October 31, 2009 at 20:02:11
docw
Audiophile

Posts: 5887
Location: So. California
Joined: July 23, 2004
Contributor
  Since: November 29, 2004
 i.e., what are you trying to accomplish?

How about Roksan Kandy L or the new one? I love my old Kandy KA-1 Mk III, cheeep.

I am familiar with the Jolida 302's sound, 50 w plus/ch tubed. Not much power or reserve (at least with Vandersteen 2Ce Sigs of my friend's).

RE: what doesn't the system do?, posted on October 31, 2009 at 20:24:26
martyw
Audiophile

Posts: 3
Joined: October 31, 2009
 Thanks for the help -- well, we listen mostly at low volumes in the evening after work. At lower volumes, the music just sounds thin -- bass is not very present, and I feel a lot of the detail in the music doesn't come out. (Source is Music Hall cd25.2)

When I listened in the dealer's shop, I loved the richness of the tubes, but at home, with our wood floors, and (some living room furniture), I feel the tube amp might not have been the best choice.

The other issue is that I think tubes are going to be a little too much upkeep given a new infant interested in shiny tube lights, and my increasing unwillingness to tube-roll and fiddle with them. Thus my interest in switching to something a little more "set it and forget it" Two pieces I am thinking about are the new Musical Fidelity A1 or the Naim Nait 5i. It appears that if I sell the Jolida, I should be able to get enough to likely cover the MF new or the Naim used.

Does any of this make sense?

Thanks!

RE: what doesn't the system do?, posted on November 2, 2009 at 11:40:09
docw
Audiophile

Posts: 5887
Location: So. California
Joined: July 23, 2004
Contributor
  Since: November 29, 2004
 Sure it makes sense.

Lancelot has some ideas that sound pretty good (so to speak).

I believe if you have an infant, there is a time of waiting for us parents. I waited for about 5 years before reinstituting a system that can play louder. But I did not use tubes.

Jolida 302b sells for $500 or less used on AgoN or ebay. The older ones anyway.

With digital redbook CD and hard surfaced rooms, your sound at lower levels will be thin. Try area rugs or more furniture?

My McIntosh MA 5100 would sound great with the loudness button pushed in if you want more bass-ey sound, or tone controls. Newer McIntosh SS integrateds would work also. Some love a good conditioned MA 6100, others might go with vintage Yamaha CA series or Marantz receiver. Or some HK gear.

Newer gear, I dunno. I only have heard what I own and perhaps a few others.

Given your priorities, posted on November 1, 2009 at 16:16:10
lancelot
Audiophile

Posts: 1232
Joined: March 23, 2001
 I would seriously consider an integrated with tone controls. Listening at relatively low levels often seems to make the sound rather thin and uninvolving , even with expensive components.

The Musical Fidelity runs in class A which almost always means a hot cabinet- not something desirable with kids around.

I'm not sure why you would keep the Jolida since you already know it doesn't satisfy you in your situation.

Buy new NAD or Marantz integrated-for example- ( check their websites- both have options in your price range ) and then you can use the tone controls to make subtle adjustments suitable to your own preferences.

IMO, your specific needs require thinking outside the normal audiophile purist mantra.

perfect for your speakers, posted on October 31, 2009 at 17:54:16
mbnx01
Audiophile

Posts: 1548
Location: Phoenix
Joined: October 22, 2004



.

RE: perfect for your speakers, posted on October 31, 2009 at 18:03:01
martyw
Audiophile

Posts: 3
Joined: October 31, 2009
 Thanks -- can you explain why? This is all pretty new to me. Any other options?

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