Looking for speaker amp advice vis-à-vis driving Susvara (not specifically from
@AussieMick, also from other thread regulars/Sus owners).
As I’ve noted before, my current driver chain for Susvaras is Roon (from a dedicated Mac-Air, eventually will replace with a Sonore server when it dies)-> Sonore Optical Rendu->Yggdrasil OG->Burson 3XGT 2023 + SPO2 powermodule. Power is from a dedicated line and power is clean/adequately conditioned IMO). SQ for Sus on this chain is good, bass is textured and impactful, mids/treble are smooth but detailed. Blackground is good. Soundstage and imaging are good/not great- images for the most part float just in front of me. More expansive soundstage is my main goal for changes in the chain
Plan is to add a Freya+ with upgraded matched gain tubes, eg. Tungsol VT-231, Redbase 5692s- this Spring.
Question here is re : speaker amp: I have strongly considered AHB2, which most reviewers report as having great dynamics, imaging and detail retrieval and that other elements of coloration will be transmitted faithfully from DAC/pre-amp, and to pair will with Sus. Some report mids/lower treble thin and lifeless (though most also stat that this is probably attributable in most circumstances to other elements upstream in the chain especially DAC/pre-amp used). I will be using in the context of middle/high gain setting on AHB2, and using an NL4-XLR cable out. Alternately to Freya+ (when solid state pre-amp is preferred) I’ll use the 3xGT as a preamp, which has pre-outs. Cost of AHB2 new is $3500 USD (probably I’d buy new so I could use the 30-day return if I don’t like what I'm hearing).
The alternative is a pair of Schiit Aegir monoblocks, cost new from Schiit currently (as they are being discontinued) is $1400/pair. Reviewers find the Aegir monos similar to Class A “lit from within” sound re mids/treble with good bass extension/texture/impact, i.e. mids and treble tonality is good. Dynamics, imaging and clarity will likely be not QUITE as good as AHB2. I have seen the SineCraft and NewRecordDay YTs on this, so I know it's been done for Susvaras.
I’m not picking up any big difference of reviewer opinion for the 2 alternatives (AHB2 vs Aegirs) on soundstage — most that I am reading report that both AHB2 and Aegirs transmit that which is fed to them upstream from the rest of the chain, and that this also applies to staging information.
I don’t yet have funds available to purchase the AHB2 now, I’d need to save up for that. The Aegirs I could afford, BUT will soon be unavailable from Schiit as they are being phased out, and thus may have good resale value once they are gone (plus there is the 15 day return window to Schiit IIRC). If I do not purchase Aegir monos, the AHB2 is (obviously) not the only option for alternatives- I realize there are many other speaker amps out there that may drive Susvaras very well as well as alternative HP amps eg. CFA3. If I let the Aegirs go, there will be plenty of time/opportunity to read up on other options while I am saving up.
Consider too that my budget ceiling for alternatives is $4k (I know there are many other options in the $8-15K region). Thoughts?