Upgrade ca azur 550a or ma br5's?

The older silver and bronze range of M/A speakers have have a fair brightness to them BUT in saying that the C/A amps are famous for their forward/clinical sound.

What do you feel that your set-up is lacking; what music do you generally listen to; how is your system laid out (i.e. listening position etc...) and is where you have the set-up furnished with soft furnishings (carpet, sofa, rug etc...) or is it a hard floored room with big windows?

Hi hifilover, thanks for the swift reply

I mainly listen to pink floyd, beatles, metallica, ac/dc etc older music really, not todays tripe. Speakers are 7ft apart, 1ft away from wall and main listening position is 14ft away (i can't move them further apart). Room is full of soft furnishings and carpet. There's nothing wrong with setup it just does'nt quite do it for me anymore and feel i've not found my level yet. I've been looking at a 2nd hand Nad c355bee and read good things about them and that they pair with MA's really well. 

Hi again, please help,

i've replaced the BR5's with Rs6's which are now up for sale but i'm stuck between which amp to go for. I've narrowed it down to nad c355bee or audiolab 8200a. I've demo'd both today in different stores (nad with some kandy speakers) (lab with Rx6's at sevenoaks, sheff) and i think i favour the 'lab' on sound q but the biggest difference was build quality. I'm finding it difficult to be sure with not being able to do side by side comparsons. Of course there's about £300 difference in price brand new with the nad being discontiued, which would you guys recommend?

Not sure - I'll explain. I've heard a few Nad amps over the years but not the later incarnations. As far as Audiolab goes, it's pretty much as Nad. However, the older Audiolab with MA RS6 sounded just a little too clinical for my liking. That said, it was good, but I prefer a more organic sound. The Nad, on the other hand, gives you forthright, big boned sound that some love, others don't.

For me, if you have a budget of around £600-£700 then Creek Evo 2 sounds impressive with RS6s. Likewise for about £700 a s/hand Leema Pulse takes some licking. Otherwise Arcam A18 is a very good alternative.

Upgrade the amp! CA amps are clinical sounding, get a warmer sounding amp.

Thanks for the replys penguin and csq2.

Yeah i'm finding the rs6's a little brighter than the br5's with the CA 550a, stuff like ac/dc is harsh on some albums although i had metallica's black album on last night which sounded awesome to me. I mainly listen to rock so i suppose the NAD would be better for me and i've since been put off by the lack of tonal controls on the lab and the amp and recording switches which i'll never use. I'm drawn towards the NAD as i can pick one up for £300 also.

Another one that came up was the Rotel 1520, what about this with my kind of music? No idea were i might get a demo tbh though. 

Thanks again guys, was beginning to think i was being ignored lol

Ignored? Nah!

Why are you struck on Nad amps? Have you heard any? The only reason why I question the Nad route is because there are others that offer fabulous alternatives.

Do you have long listening sessions?

Ha, no not stuck on them, but i heard one with some kandy standmounts and it sounded pretty good despite being in front of shop window. I want something that will go with my speakers and music and NAD c355bee seems to fit the bill. Tbh i'm starting to get alittle lost now and wifey'd fed up hearing about it lol.

I'll try and have a listen to the creek, what about the rotel 1520, penguin?

Couldn't tell you about the 1520. I love other Rotel amps I've heard, but not with RS6s. If you're willing to go £700 or so quid then Leema will see off any sub-£1,000 integrated I've heard.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Leema-Acoustics-Pulse-Integrated-Amplifier-Silver-...

Look at this. Brand new Pulse at £699 + plus a warranty. Bargain.

Cheers penguin, gonna try and get demo of leema and evo 2 sod the NAD lol

i think if you still find the speakers bright in such a well damped room that a change of amp will not solve the problem, i know it's a bit late now, but more smoother sounding speakers with a soft dome tweeter, like dynaudio is what i'd be looking at..

Don't totally omit the Nad - they are good amps. They do, however, major in big bass, but the overall sonic capabilities falls short of the ones I've mentioned. Both the Creek and Leema don't have wall-shaking bass, but has far superior definition, dynamics, detail, subtley - the bass may not be as deep but is more powerful.

Hi all,

The br5's are gone and soon to be followed by azur 550a/c combo. Last night i almost bid on an arcam a32 but then stumbled upon a thread re pioneer a400. I'm looking at some on ebay. Would the a400 do my rs6 speakers justice and would it it partner well. I'm very tempted at the prices. I suppose i can always sell on if i don't like it. 

Sorry for sounding a little vague in my replies. I've loads of experience with Pioneer but not the A400. From the Pioneers I've owned and heard they wouldn't be a good match for the RS6s. The best matches for RS6s that I've owned and demo'd are as follows (in no particular order): Arcam, Leema, Creek, Roksan, Nad, Yamaha*....

*Not owned or heard.

Thanks for reply PP,

I decided against th a400 in the end. I did bid on a Nad c370 which went for £312, i bid £250 lol. Only thing on now is alpha 9 etc. I'm running out of time as CA gear will be gone soon meaning i'll be left with no amp. Not sure about stretching to a leema and i can't demo one around here at sevenoaks brigthon's price. Leaning towards the Nad c355 again at the moment, aaaarrrggghhh not been this stressed since i moved house lol