Steever Posted August 8, 2019 Share Posted August 8, 2019 (edited) Item: Benchmark Vortex monoblock amplifiers Location: Moggill, Brisbane Price: $7695/pr new. Asking $2200 ono or trade for Cyrus Mono X or X200 pairs in quartz silver. Item Condition: good Reason for selling: quite possibly a downgrade but considering a change to Cyrus Audio monos to physically match rest of my system Payment Method: Pickup - Cash, Paypal Extra Info: Mr George Secher of Secher Audio fame commissioned production of these amps via Mr Bill Taylor in Melbourne. The Vortex mono's were the premium amps in a series of five models. Presentation balance is neutral-to-warm, sweet, musical and perhaps almost valve-like. Don't mistake this for soft and lacking in detail by any means though. With 60 000 mFd of British Aerovox filter caps and 12 quality bipolar output devices in each amp, they also pack a real punch with bass that is powerful and extended. I've never got them to clip and they have enough power to make me fear for the well being of my modified NHT Classic 4 floor standing speakers. I am the second owner and am enjoying them very much but, I am looking to buy some Cyrus monoblocks to match the rest of my growing collection of little silver shoe boxes. Happy to demo for local buyers. Will also be very securely packaged if shipping is required. Specs: Power (rms @ 8 Ohms) - 150w Power (rms @ 4 Ohms) - 280w Power (peak @ 2 Ohms) - >600w THD @ 8 Ohm and 1w - 0.025% Input sensitivity - 1.2V Input impedance - 47k Ohms Connections - single RCA and 1 pair machined, gold plated 5 way binding posts each amp Photos: Edited August 8, 2019 by Winno Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
signal path Posted August 10, 2019 Share Posted August 10, 2019 I know these monoblocks will do a great job in powering my Gale GS401 speakers but if go this way (as against a Integrated amplifier) I will need a preamp. Any reasonable suggestions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steever Posted August 10, 2019 Author Share Posted August 10, 2019 I know these monoblocks will do a great job in powering my Gale GS401 speakers but if go this way (as against a Integrated amplifier) I will need a preamp. Any reasonable suggestions? Good question. These mono’s have been used with a range of pre’s including a custom commissioned 2 box tube pre, my Theta DSPre II (now sold) and currently, my Cyrus AV Master 8 home theatre preamp. Obviously, each combination has slightly different results and that’s to be expected. At any given time there are some wonderful preamps available here in the classifieds which, I’m sure, would partner very nicely with these Benchmarks. The Theta/Benchmark combination was tremendous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Misternavi Posted August 10, 2019 Share Posted August 10, 2019 I know these monoblocks will do a great job in powering my Gale GS401 speakers but if go this way (as against a Integrated amplifier) I will need a preamp. Any reasonable suggestions?at 47kohm input impedance i ran a passive 10kohm stepped ladder attenuator on a benchmark power amp and it sounded really good. bought off ebay for about $35 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steever Posted August 26, 2019 Author Share Posted August 26, 2019 No love? These are truly awesome sounding amps. I'm only changing because I'm going for something more compact. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne Elliott Posted September 2, 2019 Share Posted September 2, 2019 On 10/08/2019 at 7:48 PM, signal path said: I know these monoblocks will do a great job in powering my Gale GS401 speakers but if go this way (as against a Integrated amplifier) I will need a preamp. Any reasonable suggestions? I just saw you posted this. A Vincent SA-T8 sounds Superb with the Benchmarks. Even a Doge 8 matches nicely, you could pick one up cheap. Audio Research Hybrid's match well too. I'd avoid Solid State Pre. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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