High End Audio - Searching for my amplifier

After purchasing the Apogee Duetta Signature loudspeakers, it became obvious that I had to replace the B&K amplifier. I suppose I knew this at the audio store when my B&K amplifier was not able to drive the speakers. As with any of the audio components, there are way too many amplifier manufacturers to mention but the ones that I auditioned included Krell, OCM, McCormack and Bryston.

I owned the McCormack DNA-1 amplifier for about two years before replacing it with a pair of Bryston monoblocks. Bi-wiring each monoblock to each Apogee Duetta Signature loudspeaker does the ultimate job.

One might think that power amplifiers do not affect the resulting sound but it ultimately boils down to the interaction and compatibility of the power amp with the loudspeaker, in addition to the sound quality perceived by the listening owner.

I purchased the McCormack DNA-1 after reading rave reviews on it. I picked up the amplifier while in Florida and lugged the unit to the airport and checked it as baggage. After paying the duties and taxes at the border on my return to Canada, and accounting for exchange rate, I'm not sure I saved much money if at all.

My experience with the McCormack amplifier was disappointing to say the least. Not that it was a bad amplifier but I do not think it matched well with the demanding Apogee speakers. When I sold the DNA-1, I did not lose much as the resale price on high-end audio equipment is fairly high, especially only after a couple of years.

In my amplifier replacement search, I went to a local audio store which carried the Bryston gear. They did not have the Bryston 7B monoblocks that I was interested in. When I pushed the store a little harder along with advising the Bryston manufacturer that the authorized dealership store did not have the 7Bs, I was able to get the store to bring in a brand new pair of 7Bs for me to audition. There was no commitment to buy but the monoblocks never made its way back to the store.

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