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Post by Johnkenn on Jul 9, 2017 16:21:35 GMT -6
I had two Emotiva mono blocks (https://emotiva.com/products/xpa-1l) and sold them in favor of the Lexicon...I've found you kind've get what you pay for in amps...except for the Lexicons...which are Brystons with a Lexicon label. Which model Bryston / Lexicon do you have now? I may just put down some more money for the amp and get something I won't have to upgrade for a very long time. If I am going to be getting the Two18s... I certainly don't want to cut myself short on the amp. Lexicon NT212. There's a NT225 too that's the 4BST. You might want to make sure that's enough juice for the two 18s though.
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Post by Johnkenn on Jul 9, 2017 16:23:00 GMT -6
Solaris is top top sounding unit. When I installed and heard it through my PMC super stack, depth rendition was much increased. Inner detail as well. Timbre was more accurate than anything else I have tried. Endorsed here. Oh PLEASE don't tell me that. I've been eyeing it and I had just convinced myself to just go with what I had.
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Post by Johnkenn on Jul 9, 2017 16:24:34 GMT -6
Solaris is top top sounding unit. When I installed and heard it through my PMC super stack, depth rendition was much increased. Inner detail as well. Timbre was more accurate than anything else I have tried. Endorsed here. I am already sold on the Avocet IIA I believe! I am pretty sure that includes the same conversion as the Solaris... the 5th Gen Quantum. When I was talking to them at GearFest, I was told they have a new matching ADC coming out soon as well. Damnit...STOP
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Post by Johnkenn on Jul 9, 2017 16:27:49 GMT -6
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Post by kcatthedog on Jul 9, 2017 16:51:40 GMT -6
I only know what I have read here about adcoms and I assume the II, means mkii. Apparently, the mki had a different design and I believe that people think it better. I honestly don't know. I'd ask Jim bet he does I have a mki 545 modded by Jim:it just sounds natural to me
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Post by ericn on Jul 9, 2017 16:51:50 GMT -6
Buying any used amp is a gamble, the advantage of a Audioupgrades modded Adcom besides a great amp is that a talented tech is looking at it! And they do hold up their own with Krell, Classe Bryston SST!
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Post by topshelfmg on Jul 9, 2017 17:09:09 GMT -6
Looks pretty cool! So is that the beefier version of what you have? The Two18s are rated at 50-200 Watts (@4ohm I assume since they are 4ohm monitors) per channel. So I'll go with at least 200 to be safe. I hate that the description on eBay says it is "functioning good"... like he couldn't bring himself to even say great.. haha.
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Post by topshelfmg on Jul 9, 2017 17:12:13 GMT -6
I am already sold on the Avocet IIA I believe! I am pretty sure that includes the same conversion as the Solaris... the 5th Gen Quantum. When I was talking to them at GearFest, I was told they have a new matching ADC coming out soon as well. Damnit...STOP Man, they sound GREAT. I am sold on that over the Dangerous stuff (and I looooove Dangerous Music), the Lynx Hilo TB, and even the Grace Designs at this point after doing my research I think. It was looking like it was between the Grace and the Crane Hill Avocet IIA... but I am a fan of Dave Hills work.
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Post by topshelfmg on Jul 9, 2017 17:14:04 GMT -6
Buying any used amp is a gamble, the advantage of a Audioupgrades modded Adcom besides a great amp is that a talented tech is looking at it! And they do hold up their own with Krell, Classe Bryston SST! That is a great point! I do have a fantastic tech in town though worst case. So sound quality is what us going to be important to me at the end of the day. The Audio Upgrades one does look like an absolute steal. When you say it "hangs with them", so you mean you would consider them just about equal, or the Audio Upgrades for the price is close to the quality?
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Post by topshelfmg on Jul 9, 2017 17:15:46 GMT -6
I only know what I have read here about adcoms and I assume the II, means mkii. Apparently, the mki had a different design and I believe that people think it better. I honestly don't know. I'd ask Jim bet he does I have a mki 545 modded by Jim:it just sounds natural to me So you have the MKI then? Is yours a rack mounted version? Just wondering is rack mounted vs not is the indicator of the different marks... besides I see that the one MKII online is rack mounted.
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Post by topshelfmg on Jul 9, 2017 17:23:28 GMT -6
Which model Bryston / Lexicon do you have now? I may just put down some more money for the amp and get something I won't have to upgrade for a very long time. If I am going to be getting the Two18s... I certainly don't want to cut myself short on the amp. Lexicon NT212. There's a NT225 too that's the 4BST. You might want to make sure that's enough juice for the two 18s though. Oh, is that basically the 5 channel version of the NT225 it's looking like? Hm, I will see if I can find a stereo one. I am pretty sure anything Bryston 3B sized or higher should work great with the Two18s. Part of me wants to throw down $1,500 and get the Bryston 3B SST if that will be better quality than the modded Adcom though. Or even potentially $2,700 for the 3B SST 2.... and just not have to upgrade ever. Is there any benefit to a stereo power amp vs a dual mono one? Also, I am noticing a tiny glitch here. If I accidentally hit backspace too far when I am typing and the cursor goes back into the quote, it locks me into the quote section. All I have to do is refresh the page and be sure not to do that again though, so it hardly matters.
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Post by topshelfmg on Jul 9, 2017 17:38:05 GMT -6
Or yeah... like I just said to John.. if it would be a better investment, I could get a Bryston 4B SST for $2,300 used, 4B SST 2 for $3,500 used.... or if it is enough which it looks like it would be.. a used 3B SST for $1,500... or a 3B SST2 for $2,700. It looks like there are some pretty cool upgrades with the SST 2 line... including the fact that I don't need to hit 1/3 wattage to get the quoted distortion specs.
The Amphion Amp500 got its 500 watt per channel rating at 2ohm... which is kind of cheating, isn't it? Haha... since the Two18s are 4ohm, it would give me 330 Watts per channel. The 3B SST or SST2 would give me 250 watts per channel at 4ohm. Since the Two18s are rated to 200 watts at 8ohm.. is there a benefit to having an overpowered amp? So would the beefier 4B SST2 be better for them, or even the SSB2 with 500 watts per channel at 4ohm? The Adcom GFA-555 is similar to the Amp500 with 325 watts per channel at 4ohm. Again, it seems like besides select models like the new SST2 line, you have to hit 1/3 wattage or more to even get the quoted distortion specs... below that there seems to be more distortion, which is normally the range I would be using them in the most. The recommended power for the Two18s are 50-200 Watts per channel. Thanks again, I am new to the whole high end power amp thing. This is one purchase / category I have never really had to research until now.
Strangely, the 4B SST 2 seems to have half the distortion of the 3B SST 2. Both still bench test great though. I know bench tests aren't everything, but with very technical purchases like this I like to use them as reference. The thing is... if there is only like, a 5% or so quality increase between the 3B / 4B SST 2 and the Adcom, maybe I should spend that extra $1,000-$2,000 elsewhere. Or get the regular SST, though I am caught up on the whole 1/3 wattage thing which the SST 2 seems to fix, but for a price... of course.
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Post by ericn on Jul 9, 2017 17:45:04 GMT -6
Man, they sound GREAT. I am sold on that over the Dangerous stuff (and I looooove Dangerous Music), the Lynx Hilo TB, and even the Grace Designs at this point after doing my research I think. It was looking like it was between the Grace and the Crane Hill Avocet IIA... but I am a fan of Dave Hills work. Had a modded 555 next to a pair of Krell mono blocks everybody thought the 555 was the Krells, Classe seamed more mid forward, I will admit first Gen Bryston gave the almost an extra Octave of Bass on the Quested H208's but other than that the JW 555 is the dragon slayer! The only Amp that holds its own are BEL 1001's bridged that's with the Questeds TAD's Magnepans and various prototypes that pass through! I wouldn't mind a ConradJohnson Premier 1 on the Maggie's to make a bunch of recordings listenable! If Jim repackaged the Adcom in a sexy Chassis with cool fins he would be the darling of the Audiophile world!
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Post by kcatthedog on Jul 9, 2017 17:56:55 GMT -6
No mine is not rack mountable so looks like a regular power amp
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Post by winetree on Jul 9, 2017 18:21:38 GMT -6
Adcom MK 1 Pro
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Post by topshelfmg on Jul 9, 2017 18:34:51 GMT -6
Man, they sound GREAT. I am sold on that over the Dangerous stuff (and I looooove Dangerous Music), the Lynx Hilo TB, and even the Grace Designs at this point after doing my research I think. It was looking like it was between the Grace and the Crane Hill Avocet IIA... but I am a fan of Dave Hills work. Had a modded 555 next to a pair of Krell mono blocks everybody thought the 555 was the Krells, Classe seamed more mid forward, I will admit first Gen Bryston gave the almost an extra Octave of Bass on the Quested H208's but other than that the JW 555 is the dragon slayer! The only Amp that holds its own are BEL 1001's bridged that's with the Questeds TAD's Magnepans and various prototypes that pass through! I wouldn't mind a ConradJohnson Premier 1 on the Maggie's to make a bunch of recordings listenable! If Jim repackaged the Adcom in a sexy Chassis with cool fins he would be the darling of the Audiophile world! Wow! That is incredibly impressive. And the modded 555 sounds just as great as low levels as it does at high levels? That extra bass octave would be really great to have though... especially until I get a great sub to reference with. If that is the case, I am sure the SST2 line is incredible since the reviews are that the SST2 line is the best Bryston has ever had. I think I will end up with the SST2 line at some point regardless.. either now or later. If the 250 watts per side of the 3B SST2 would be enough ya think... I might just get that and save myself a future upgrade. I am wondering if there would be any benefit at all to the 4B SST2s 500 watts per channel opposed to the 3B SST2s 250 watts per channel when the Two18s recommend 50-200 watts. So I will either start with the modded Adcom and upgrade later to the SST2... or just get an SST2.
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Post by topshelfmg on Jul 9, 2017 18:38:20 GMT -6
Oh gotcha, then that IS the rack mounted version also. Thanks! So I will just assume both the rack mounted version and desktop versions are BOTH MKIs unless otherwise stated.
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Post by ericn on Jul 9, 2017 19:05:03 GMT -6
Had a modded 555 next to a pair of Krell mono blocks everybody thought the 555 was the Krells, Classe seamed more mid forward, I will admit first Gen Bryston gave the almost an extra Octave of Bass on the Quested H208's but other than that the JW 555 is the dragon slayer! The only Amp that holds its own are BEL 1001's bridged that's with the Questeds TAD's Magnepans and various prototypes that pass through! I wouldn't mind a ConradJohnson Premier 1 on the Maggie's to make a bunch of recordings listenable! If Jim repackaged the Adcom in a sexy Chassis with cool fins he would be the darling of the Audiophile world! Wow! That is incredibly impressive. And the modded 555 sounds just as great as low levels as it does at high levels? That extra bass octave would be really great to have though... especially until I get a great sub to reference with. If that is the case, I am sure the SST2 line is incredible since the reviews are that the SST2 line is the best Bryston has ever had. I think I will end up with the SST2 line at some point regardless.. either now or later. If the 250 watts per side of the 3B SST2 would be enough ya think... I might just get that and save myself a future upgrade. I am wondering if there would be any benefit at all to the 4B SST2s 500 watts per channel opposed to the 3B SST2s 250 watts per channel when the Two18s recommend 50-200 watts. So I will either start with the modded Adcom and upgrade later to the SST2... or just get an SST2. Low level was same as higher level, the Bryston 4b extra octave was only on the Questeds.
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Post by winetree on Jul 9, 2017 19:28:37 GMT -6
Oh gotcha, then that IS the rack mounted version also. Thanks! So I will just assume both the rack mounted version and desktop versions are BOTH MKIs unless otherwise stated. Correct, There's the regular MKI rack mount with unbalanced inputs and The MKI Pro which has balanced inputs, level control, and front mount breakers. The Pro version is a little harder to find. I bought mine from the Sales Baron fully tested for $400.00 The J.W. mod is $200.00
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Post by topshelfmg on Jul 9, 2017 20:07:12 GMT -6
Wow! That is incredibly impressive. And the modded 555 sounds just as great as low levels as it does at high levels? That extra bass octave would be really great to have though... especially until I get a great sub to reference with. If that is the case, I am sure the SST2 line is incredible since the reviews are that the SST2 line is the best Bryston has ever had. I think I will end up with the SST2 line at some point regardless.. either now or later. If the 250 watts per side of the 3B SST2 would be enough ya think... I might just get that and save myself a future upgrade. I am wondering if there would be any benefit at all to the 4B SST2s 500 watts per channel opposed to the 3B SST2s 250 watts per channel when the Two18s recommend 50-200 watts. So I will either start with the modded Adcom and upgrade later to the SST2... or just get an SST2. Low level was same as higher level, the Bryston 4b extra octave was only on the Questeds. So besides on the Questeds, they sounded about equal?
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Post by ericn on Jul 9, 2017 20:28:40 GMT -6
I'll put the JW Mod ahead of an original 4B on everything but the Quested low end! Pre SST Brystons have this weird thing in the low treble upper mids many call it a harshness but I'm not sure that's how I would characterize it, very noticeable on a true ribbon.
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Post by topshelfmg on Jul 9, 2017 20:38:26 GMT -6
I'll put the JW Mod ahead of an original 4B on everything but the Quested low end! Pre SST Brystons have this weird thing in the low treble upper mids many call it a harshness but I'm not sure that's how I would characterize it, very noticeable on a true ribbon. Interesting! Well, if I went the Bryston route, I would likely go the full SST2 route. Would I see any benefit in having 500 watts per channel with the 4B vs the 250 watts per channel with the 3B when the recommended wattage for the monitors is 50-200 watts?
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Post by mulmany on Jul 9, 2017 20:43:30 GMT -6
I'll put the JW Mod ahead of an original 4B on everything but the Quested low end! Pre SST Brystons have this weird thing in the low treble upper mids many call it a harshness but I'm not sure that's how I would characterize it, very noticeable on a true ribbon. Interesting! Well, if I went the Bryston route, I would likely go the full SST2 route. Would I see any benefit in having 500 watts per channel with the 4B vs the 250 watts per channel with the 3B when the recommended wattage for the monitors is 50-200 watts? Is it peak watts or RMS watts. Normal rule of thumb is double your RMS wattage for the amp.
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Post by ericn on Jul 9, 2017 20:44:14 GMT -6
I'll put the JW Mod ahead of an original 4B on everything but the Quested low end! Pre SST Brystons have this weird thing in the low treble upper mids many call it a harshness but I'm not sure that's how I would characterize it, very noticeable on a true ribbon. Interesting! Well, if I went the Bryston route, I would likely go the full SST2 route. Would I see any benefit in having 500 watts per channel with the 4B vs the 250 watts per channel with the 3B when the recommended wattage for the monitors is 50-200 watts? Headroom headroom headroom ! Remember your only talking a couple of DB
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Post by topshelfmg on Jul 9, 2017 20:52:05 GMT -6
Interesting! Well, if I went the Bryston route, I would likely go the full SST2 route. Would I see any benefit in having 500 watts per channel with the 4B vs the 250 watts per channel with the 3B when the recommended wattage for the monitors is 50-200 watts? Is it peak watts or RMS watts. Normal rule of thumb is double your RMS wattage for the amp. It doesn't say! All the Amphion Two18 page says is "Power Recommendation: 50-200 W". The wattage I quoted per channel from the amps was all RMS though. The amp Amphion sells for this set is 330 W per channel... but again, does not say if that is RMS or Peak. Going to guess RMS for their amp.
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