804S and next amp

[shades]

Well as you can see it's time for an upgrade again. I'm looking for a 3 channel or a 6 channel bridged.

My current setup is:

-804S front 2 channel listening
-HTM4 center (upgrading to N HTM1 or HTM3)
-601S3 rears
-rotel rcd 1072
-Rotel rsx 1056 (center and surrounds)
-bryston 3bst(2 channel)

Here's my dilema. I been looking at used amps like Classe cav 150x6 and CA 201, krell kav 250a 3 channel and krell kav 500. The bryston is an excellent amp and i love the sound but just looking for something different

These amps i cannot demo anymore so any input would be greatly appreciated. These are in my price range so keep that in mind.

By the way this is for my 2 channel listening.

[Mark_C.]

I have a Nautilus 804 stereo setup matched with a Musical Fidelity A5 intergrated. It's a thoroughly enjoyable combination. The Musical Fidelity reminds me a great deal of my old Classe CAP-101, only much more power with a deeper soundstage. The A5 is nice in that you can incorporate it into your home theater with a passthrough switch should you want to use its amps for movies. Puts out 250w per channel. Cheers.

[B&W 700 Guy]

Audition a Sunfire amp

:T Check out the Sunfire GTA-5200. I run this amp with my 703's and it sound great. I have also listened to the 803's and 804's with this amp and never heard it strain.

[shep]

I've been using a demo RB-1090 with the 804s, which is a real step up from the other Rotel amps. Silky smooth, better soundstage, more defined bass - and that is coming from my previous RB-1070. This is still a demo, so thinking about trying the RB-1092, or else hunting down a CA-201, which I expect to be yet another step up from the RB-1090. Listen to Classe if you can. Others have described the CA-2200 as the ultimate match, but it may be beyond your budget.

[Phil Rose]

The bryston is an excellent amp and i love the sound but just looking for something different

If I may be so bold, you should look at the front end of your system for upgrade BEFORE you consider dumping the Bryston 3B-ST. The Bryston is an excellent amp and certianly NOT the weak link in your signal chain. Remember, everything in the chain affects the final output from your very capable speakers.

If you are looking for great 2-channel, which you indicate you are, consider adding a 2-channel preamp. They don't cost all that much and will offer a substantial improvement in quality over your receiver. Then get a better source component. Only after doing this should you consider moving up from the Bryston.

My $0.02

[shades]

If I may be so bold, you should look at the front end of your system for upgrade BEFORE you consider dumping the Bryston 3B-ST. The Bryston is an excellent amp and certianly NOT the weak link in your signal chain. Remember, everything in the chain affects the final output from your very capable speakers.

If you are looking for great 2-channel, which you indicate you are, consider adding a 2-channel preamp. They don't cost all that much and will offer a substantial improvement in quality over your receiver. Then get a better source component. Only after doing this should you consider moving up from the Bryston.

My $0.02

This is another step i considered, the preamp and source. I'm starting the process of weeding out the Rotels all together but i thought i'd start with the amp first or preamp. Hearing the 800 series on the bryston SP2, 4bsst and different source (forget what source) sounded like heaven but the sp2 is out of my range as well.

My upgrades will be done over the course of this year. With all the diffent choices it comes down to krell, classe, bryston, musical fidelity???. with that being said, these upgrades are most likely going to be previous models or excellent deals on current models. The down side with previous models i can't demo.

[shades]

I have a Nautilus 804 stereo setup matched with a Musical Fidelity A5 intergrated. It's a thoroughly enjoyable combination. The Musical Fidelity reminds me a great deal of my old Classe CAP-101, only much more power with a deeper soundstage. The A5 is nice in that you can incorporate it into your home theater with a passthrough switch should you want to use its amps for movies. Puts out 250w per channel. Cheers.

My dealer has musical fidelity and i'm going to demo it this weekend. I heard good things about the A5 and plenty of power. Cant wait for this demo.

[Bluespower]

I also have 804s and wanted to improve my 2-chan over what my 1068/1095 gave me. I ended up with the ModWright SWL 9.0SE tube pre amp (with theater "pass thru").

http://www.modwright.com/products/index.php?product_id=20

The Musical Fidelity Pre & Integrated gear also has the "pass thru" feature and was on my short list.

All I can say is that I couldn't be more happy. CDs (1072) thru the ModWright and DVDs (1060) thru the 1068.

[shades]

I also have 804s and wanted to improve my 2-chan over what my 1068/1095 gave me. I ended up with the ModWright SWL 9.0SE tube pre amp (with theater "pass thru").

http://www.modwright.com/products/index.php?product_id=20

The Musical Fidelity Pre & Integrated gear also has the "pass thru" feature and was on my short list.

All I can say is that I couldn't be more happy. CDs (1072) thru the ModWright and DVDs (1060) thru the 1068.

I have no experience with tubes but was also considering this route.

[Phil Rose]

Bluespower is right on target! If you want to have the best 2-channel sound there isn't any pre-pro that can match a 2-channel preamp unless you get into the stratosphere priced units.

I also use a tube preamp with HT bypass, a Sonic Frontiers Line 3SE. Great preamp! Extremely clean, quick and neutral. Take a look on Audiogon if you want some great deals. I saw a Line 1 for $900 and a Line 1SE for $1100 which are also great units. For that price if you don't hear an immediate improvement you can flip the unit for the cost of shipping basically.

For HT things are not all that critical. You should be able to get very good HT from your current system. But, if you're serious about MC music then things become much more important such as your rear channel speakers.

[shades]

I'm more into 2 channel than multi. I guess my rear channels will be the last upgrade this year. without dvd-A or SACD is really even worth it? I have not had a chance to do any critical listening in MC