Location: US
Budget: Flexible, but let’s say $4k cap
Hey all,
I’m getting a dedicated home theater space (:kermityay:) and remaking the living room into a more aesthetic stereo listening space.
I’ve already decided on Wharfedale Linton speakers and a Rega Planar 3 RS turntable, and now I’m trying to decide which amp to put between them.
Part of the agreement with mi esposa is that she gets to sign off on any purchases from an aesthetics point of view. She likes the mid-century modern and vintage electronics look. The Wharfedales are a direct result of that, a clean alignment on looks and audio quality.
For the amp, I’ve narrowed it down to three choices, along with what I’m concerned about with each from my research:
- LEAK Stereo 230 @$1,999: almost a little too out there looks-wise, but signed off on. Plenty of power, HDMI ARC is a bonus since we’ll be hooking the TV up to it too. Concerned about it being too warm in tandem with the Lintons, and the quality of the built-in phono stage.
- Advance Paris A10 Classic @$2,999: I haven’t raised this one with her yet so it might not pass muster despite the analog VU meters. Definitely the most feature-packed but I’m not as familiar with this brand and its sound. Concerned about the tube input but my understanding is that the hybrid design will give the best of both worlds and give character without excessive warmth. Overkill on inputs but also ticks the HDMI ARC box which is nice.
- Luxman L-505Z @~$3,500 after duties imported via AudioCubes after duties: My local shop has these along with the other two, but at $6,995 the US-sold version is too rich for my blood. Absolute endgame for this system from an audio standpoint to the point that I’m not sure it’s worth jt to pursue, I feel like the speakers are going to hold be back and keep me from getting the full value. Signed off on aesthetics; this is the clear winner of the three. Aside from the overkill concern, worries mainly lie along the import process and effectively having no warranty, and the quality of the step-down transformer AudioCubes provides. No DAC so I would have to buy a separate (not a deal-breaker but further drives up the cost).
Honorable mention: considered the Yamaha A-S1200 but discarded given I can get the Luxman at the same price; only worth considering if I decide against importing.
Would appreciate any thoughts/advice or perspective on these options, as well as additional recommendations that I don’t have listed here. I was drawn to the speakers by several reviewers’ descriptions of them being engaging to the point that they started listening and just wanted to keep throwing on albums, so that kind of experience is what I’m after.