What’s the recommended upgrade path from the Arcam A38

[Bunn999]

Owned a few Arcam amps over the years, currently running the A38's rated @105watts, What would be the best upgrade from here (open to any brand) should i try Pre-Pro combo, or stick to integrated amps, i would like to move up to higher watts if possible for my 683 S1, been looking at some pre owned gear to try different brands i would love to hear your suggestions you’d like to share.

 

[Passive_audio_enthusiast]

Owned a few Arcam amps over the years, currently running the A38's rated @105watts, What would be the best upgrade from here (open to any brand) should i try Pre-Pro combo, or stick to integrated amps, i would like to move up to higher watts if possible for my 683 S1, been looking at some pre owned gear to try different brands i would love to hear your suggestions you’d like to share.

What are your speakers ?

 

[chander]

A budget would definitely help in suggesting combinations. Also your source will be helpful.

I personally do not mind integrated amps, I find them convenient and in moderate budgets they fair better value than separates.

In my case considering my primary usage is digital music - I prefer to go this route -

Source (streamer of some sort) - DAC - Power Amp/integrated.
I personally prefer a separate DAC that allows me to play with sound flavour instead of changing my amps/speakers.

 

[Bunn999]

A little more information i listen to music thru digital streaming only Qobuz, i don't own a CD player, LP player or any other source, Speakers are Bowers & Wilkins 683 S1, Everything's so expensive these days, its like the prices have doubled over the last couple of years, i wouldn't spend more than 1-1.3Lk but its not rigid, i don't need a built in DAC or built in Streamer. just need an honest old school analog amp with real grunt.

What are your speakers ?

Speakers are Bowers & Wilkins 683 S1

 

[Bunn999]

A budget would definitely help in suggesting combinations. Also your source will be helpful.

I personally do not mind integrated amps, I find them convenient and in moderate budgets they fair better value than separates.

In my case considering my primary usage is digital music - I prefer to go this route -

Source (streamer of some sort) - DAC - Power Amp/integrated.
I personally prefer a separate DAC that allows me to play with sound flavour instead of changing my amps/speakers.

A little more information i listen to music thru digital streaming only Qobuz, i don't own a CD player, LP player or any other source, Everything's so expensive these days, its like the prices have doubled over the last couple of years, i wouldn't spend more than 1-1.3Lk but its not rigid, i don't need a built in DAC or built in Streamer. just need an honest old school analog amp with real grunt.
I run audirvana thru a computer (Mac) to my Qutest then a ifi tube buffer to tone it down a bit into the A38.

 

[chander]

That is brilliant - you pretty clearly know what you are looking for.

For the old school grunt - I will take the liberty to interpret it as a high current, unlimited juice amp. As sound signature is highly subjective.

The amps I can think of that never run out of juice - seemingly -
Audiolabs -7000,9000, (I am a big fan of 6000 as well as I could never bottom out that amp)
Rega
Yamaha - Not my preferred choice as it can be shouty.
Musical Fidelity
Hagel

I am not including the models as you are open to the used market, which allows you to find some higher end models in your price range.
I find most of these amps fairly close to neutral (barring Yamaha) and high current with no need for more juice.

Alternatively - if you want to go the separates route - You can check out O&B amplifiers for power - set them up with a good pre-amp and you can have a brilliant system. I have hooked up an O&B power amp with an Audiolab & musical fidelity - I really liked the sound.

Thanks!

 

[Bunn999]

do you know of any demo places for O&B at Bangalore ? dual mono looks good.
I wouldn't buy another audiolab had issues with that brand earlier, Hagel has a dac & streamer (which i do not need) which ends up costing more, No experience with MF but have heard a rega 80W pre pro, sounded good.

 

[chander]

do you know of any demo places for O&B at Bangalore ? dual mono looks good.
I wouldn't buy another audiolab had issues with that brand earlier, Hagel has a dac & streamer (which i do not need) which ends up costing more, No experience with MF but have heard a rega 80W pre pro, sounded good.

Not that I know of - but I am sure there are FMs from Bangalore using O&B.
If you search for O&B in the forums, you will perhaps find some people, maybe DM them.

Tough luck with Audiolab, I guess once bitted twice shy.
Most integrated amps will have a DAC now a days.

 

[Bunn999]

Whats your take on Roksan k3, any experience with that ?

 

[chander]

It is a solid amp the Roksan K3. I had it for around a year. Atleast to me - from what I remember, audiolab was my preferred sound I had them both at the same time if I remember correctly. But again K3 was a solid amplifier, I just prefer the AL kind of sound.

 

[ajuvignesh]

Will a willsenton R8 work for you? Also, feeding usb direct from computer to the dac is not really recomended. Maybe you can you a cheap DDC like SMSAL PO100 pro between your devices to clean out some digital noise.

 

[heliumflight]

Try Cyrus6dac cum amp. It is value for money.