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From: stiv@rice.edu (david n stivers)
Newsgroups: rec.audio.high-end
Subject: Spica Angelus & amplification
Message-ID: <11950@uwm.edu>
Date: 8 May 91 12:47:38 GMT
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Originator: tjk@csd4.csd.uwm.edu

I am in all probability going to purchase the Angelus. They will be replacing
Magnepan SMGa's.  They are only doing so because my dealer has a 1 year
full-price trade-in policy; otherwise, I wouldn't even be considering a
speaker upgrade.

They competition was the Magnepan 1.4. Since the dealer will sell me the demos
for the same price as the 1.4, the greater cost of the Angelus wasn't an issue;
if it had been, then I would be taking home the Magnepans @ $980.

I felt that the Angelus offered better imaging, less position sensitivity
(though still more than other speakers), and greater dynamics. But not $300
worth!

At any rate, I need to an electronics upgrade.  Some possibilities are 
listed. I'd like to keep it <$1000.

(1) Linn Intek integrated amp.
While somewhat limited in power (40wpc), I understand that this has basically
the same circuit topology as the LK-1 and LK-2, without all the fancy digital
control circuitry.  The LK-1 is, I believe, generally reknowned for the
excellence of its phono amp (important, as that is my primary source
(WTL Record Player with Alchemest IIb)).
Also, the Intek has pre-amp outs, so I could use it as a decent pre-amp
with a beefy power supply when I felt like more juice.

(2) Sending my Hafler DH-100 in to Audio by Van Alstine for one of his
upgrades (ranging from $195 to $495), and looking for a (used?) amp.
Suggestions here are welcome. I'm thinking of:
	(a) PS Audio 100c
	I auditioned the Angelus with the 100 Delta, which is, I believe,
	very similiar, and sounded very good.
	(b) Counterpoint SA-12 (re previous posting)
	(c) Acoustic Research
	But what? I understand that the 1st generation
	hybrids were a little "cold", but this is only from a review of the ARC 
	Classic 60 that mentioned this. (The reviewer was ga-ga over the
	Classic 60). I suspect that a used Classic 30 (original list >$2000)
	will be a little pricy for me.
	(d) VTL
	Again which one? But I understand there are some reliability issues here
	(e) B+K ST-140 monoblocked?
	(f) NAD 2100 monoblocked.
	(g) Forte 1a (50wpc class A)

(3) Building my own pre-amp (I've got lots of info on this, for IC amps
anyway), and looking for one of the amps above.

Any comments, opinions, advice, flames, anecdotes, and non-sequitors politely
requested.
-- 

david n stivers stiv@rice.edu