Amplifier dilemma - Yamaha A-S2100 perhaps?

Crazeenick

My current setup is:

Naim CDX2 with Teddy XPS (main source, I have 3000 CDs!)
Denon TU1800 DAB tuner
B&W CM10 S2 speakers
B&W ASW 10CM subwoofer
Arcam A85 integrated amp   Arcam P85 power amp (bi-amp setup with CM10s)

My Arcam amps are about 17 years old and the P85 has developed an annoying transformer hum, so I am going to change and upgarde the amps.  I'll probably try to get a nice condition secondhand amp around the £1,500-£2,000 mark.

I tend to prefer amps with tone controls so I can tweak poorly recorded/mastered recordings when necessary.

I recently bought a secondhand Marantz PM14S1 Special Edition integrated amp to replace the Arcams, but found it to be a bit too smooth/warm/boring compared to the Arcams which, although old, offer a more lively and detailed delivery.  I have now sold the Marantz amp and am back to using the Arcams until I get something else.

I suspect a Naim Supernait 2 would give me the sort of detailed, exciting sound I like - it would also complement my CDX2 nicely.  However, the Supernait2 has no tone controls.

So what other options are there which have tone controls and give a lively sound?

I have been looking at the Yamaha A-S2100 which gets some good reviews, but am concerned that the Yamaha AS series amps are described as a bit boring in some reviews.  Maybe they sound similar to the Marantz PM14 that I tried?

What do people think of the Yamaha A-S2100?  Or A-S1100, or A-S2000, or even the A-S3000?

Do people have any other suggestions for a lively audiophile amp with tone controls up to £2k used?

Thanks,
Nick

Timmy C

This may not be what you had in mind but if you liked the Arcam then you could consider trying to track down a C30 pre amp and perhaps a pair of P1 power amps. The C30 was their flagship model but when they replaced it with the C31 they did away with the tone controls. I've owned both but sold the C31 as I liked the C30 better and still use it to this day.

Paul7777x

The speakers certainly deserve something with a bit more bounce than the Arcams.

If you’re a fan of the Arcams though, then this would be a mighty useful upgrade.

Arcam FMJ A49 Amplifier in Black  | eBay

Timmy C

I don't think the A49 has the required tone controls.

Paul7777x

Aha... I thought it had them buried in the software.

Timmy C

I could be wrong. It was going to be my first suggestion but a snippet of a review I spotted when doing a google search suggested it didn't. Might be worth the OP looking into it further though.

Paul7777x

Seems like I was wrong.

I know they exist on the A18 and I foolishly assumed it was a feature across the range.

RBZ5416

Think I'd be inclined to start with a listen to Rotel's RA-1592 as Rotel are in the same stable as B&W.

But your budget takes you into the realms of amps with room correction software & I'd definitely recommend an audition or two there. Lyngdorf TDAI-2170 & Arcam SR-250 are two different approaches. Down side for you is the desired tone controls. Lyngdorf doesn't have them but instead has "voicings". Whether these would offer enough for you would only be found in a home demo. The Arcam has bass/treble but being based on an AVR, the controls are only available on a TV.

Never heard the Marantz but I did briefly own an A85 that was dull as ditch water. Hard to imagine a modern amp being worse. The A85 was replaced by a Rotel RA-1062 which was superb.

wokeye

I'm so tempted to buy that.  The lack of warranty puts me off for the price.  But at the same time it is an amp that had a rrp of 4k, and is supposed to be awesome.  Looks like a bargain.

RBZ5416

Apparently it is under warranty but for some reason more expensive here. Presumably open to offers in line with the Ebay listing.