Power Amps for B&W Matrix 801 II

Posted by George S. Roland (A) on August 14, 2014 at 08:46:03

Greetings,

Apologies for the long posting, but it seems maybe I'll get more informed answers if I provide more background.

I am struggling right now with what to do about my power amps. I recently bought a pair of B&W Matrix 801 II loudspeakers, with which I am pleased. My preamp is an ARC SP-8 and I have no expectation to change that. It has a good phono stage and I like its sound. I have three power amps: a Hafler DH-220, an ARC VT-100 and a Bryston 4B-ST. I keep the Hafler around as a spare but don't use it much.

Due to a power outage and electrical surge while my VT-100 was plugged in, turned on and well warmed up, one of the fuses blew. The next day I found the bottom half of a resistor on the floor under the amp. An examination revealed the blown resistor and some scorching and circuit board damage in the area near the V-10 tube socket. There's a possibility I could have ARC repair the VT-100, but the cost would likely be over $2,000. which might be better spent on a different power amp.

The Bryston and Hafler amps work, so fortunately I am not without music.

I prefer the more "musical" sound of tube amps particularly in the treble, hence my use of the VT-100. There's no doubt that the Bryston 4B-ST has better control over the bass. However I sometimes find the high frequencies a bit too etched and hard.

I listen to mostly classical music and opera at moderate levels (ca. 98 db peaks typically according to my R.S. meter) so I am not looking for arena rock sound pressure levels and want something that produces voices and strings in a natural-sounding manner, without hard, over-etched, "hi-fi" sound. I am especially sensitive to this in operatic vocals, choruses and orchestral strings which often sound screechy on some electronics.

So I am looking in the used amp market for a solution. I don't want to spend over $3,000. I am considering the following options at this time:
ARC VT-100 Mk II or III. This would give me a newer amp with a sound quality I know I like. Bass may be a bit soft, but to me, that is preferable to etched highs if that trade-off is inevitable.

ARC VT-200. This amp is about at the price limit for me. I am considering it because the power output may be better able to drive the speakers. However, I worry about this amp as I have read that they eat a lot of tubes and keeping the tubes working would be a very expensive proposition. I have no way of knowing whether this is generally true of this amp or was a bad experience of one owner.

VTL. I've heard good things, but do not know the models or costs I might consider.

Moving on to solid state:

Mark Levinson 431 should have enough power, but I'm unsure of the sound quality or reliability. Would come with no warranty.

Bryston 4B-SST similar in power to the above, will probably have some warranty left, is supposedly more refined and smoother than the amp I have, but I'm unsure if it will be "enough" smoother.

I don't know enough about models I might consider by Pass Labs, GAS Ampzilla, Threshold, Krell, Classe or Mcintosh.

So that's my problem.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

George

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Topic - Power Amps for B&W Matrix 801 II - George S. Roland 08:46:03 08/14/14 (22)

Thanks for all your input! - George S. Roland 17:42:55 08/15/14 (1)

RE: Thanks for all your input! - Mendel 08:24:58 08/16/14 (0)

Odyssey - Tom Schuman 07:02:40 08/15/14 (1)

heard them at the last CAF - G Squared 15:12:04 08/15/14 (0)

RE: Power Amps for B&W Matrix 801 II - fin1bxn@msn.com 04:43:21 08/15/14 (0)

RE: Power Amps for B&W Matrix 801 II - georgehifi 23:50:38 08/14/14 (0)

Consider Pass Labs - TheBrewmaster 21:52:48 08/14/14 (1)

RE: Consider Pass Labs - pictureguy 22:22:39 08/14/14 (0)

RE: Power Amps for B&W Matrix 801 II - hahax@verizon.net 20:48:53 08/14/14 (0)

I seriously doubt - E-Stat 15:29:25 08/14/14 (2)

Going to concur with you on the ARC and dispute some suggestions below... - David S. 17:13:01 08/14/14 (1)

RE: Going to concur with you on the ARC and dispute some suggestions below... - mondial 03:51:41 08/15/14 (0)

RE: Power Amps for B&W Matrix 801 II - fredtr 14:29:34 08/14/14 (0)

RE: Power Amps for B&W Matrix 801 II - John Elison 12:52:00 08/14/14 (2)

RE: Power Amps for B&W Matrix 801 II - George S. Roland 19:44:08 08/14/14 (1)

RE: Power Amps for B&W Matrix 801 II - John Elison 00:05:03 08/15/14 (0)

Antique Sound Labs Hurricane - morricab 11:49:03 08/14/14 (1)

RE: Antique Sound Labs Hurricane - George S. Roland 12:22:25 08/14/14 (0)

RE: Power Amps for B&W Matrix 801 II - tommytube 11:13:22 08/14/14 (1)

RE: Power Amps for B&W Matrix 801 II - George S. Roland 11:43:07 08/14/14 (0)

RE: Power Amps for B&W Matrix 801 II - audio39 10:23:57 08/14/14 (1)

RE: Power Amps for B&W Matrix 801 II - George S. Roland 11:41:49 08/14/14 (0)

Power Amps for B&W Matrix 801 II

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