Amplifier Experience Gryphon Pass Lamm BAT

Thank you Azjake, could you go into a little more detail of Pass Labs XA compared to Antileon Signature? I have read good things about both but pretty much no direct comparisons. I thought the Pass XA series has also been around for quite some time and the .5 version is just a minor improvement over previous XA amps?

Beerdraft - thanks for your comment too. Yur system looks great by the way! I am in Europe so the offer in used BAT models is far more limited than what I can see here on Audiogon for the US. Do you have experience comparing BAT to PASS, Gryphon or Lamm?

Given the comparison of older vs. newer class A designs one more brand I would like to add to my own list is Karan Acoustics, i.e. KA-L + KA-PAS450 as a dealer carries these. Nevertheless they would be the most expensive and I am a bit sceptical of the brand as they do not nearly have the track record of any of the above.

@Aldavis: Thank you for that combination recommendation. Audio Research Ref 5 + Antileon Signature is on my list

@Changster: Nice to hear I am not the only one facing this dilemma! Wavac is not on my radar as they really are crazy expensive and look very esoteric on top of that. On Gryphon continuity I agree. The used prices of their equipment are really keeping quite constant (on the current models, the discontinued once drop a fair bit). Also while I am sure some people hate their design it is quite a statement which I believe makes it more appealing for resale. Especially with expensive audio products people seem to buy as much for their looks as for their performance! (Obviously not the people here on Audiogon)

@Flg2001: Funny you mention Lamm as the most neutral. Some other people I talked to found it to be a bit coloured rather than neutral, which just shows again that different ears and systems bring out quite different impressions!

Thanks Rtn1 and Beerdraft.

With regards to exchange rate you are right. The USD is such that american products were never cheaper BUT and that is a big BUT most European Distributors dont pass on the weak exchange rate at all. As a matter of fact i have seen enough example where the European or UK price are the same or more than in USD but in EUR or GBP instead. The excuses are usually weak but hell Audio distributors and retailers do not seem to bother if they loose business over here!

Most US products are only good value in Europe if bought 2nd hand or as ex-demo. I honestly wish guys i could take advantage of some of thouse Audiogon deals here but thanks to different voltages and the size and wieghts of speakers/amplifiers that is not going to happen easily!

That said Rtn1 BAT Rex and Pass XA200.5 is most impressive! BAT Rex uses tubes, is that correct?
I see you used Karan Acoustics too, how do they compare to Pass XA? You sold the Karan so that says something I guess!

BAT is interesting and price wise more attractive than the others. I wish I could compare them directly. All that upgrade schemes I find cofunsing though at best....

Thank you all.

Combining a tube pre-amp with solid state power amp looks like an interesting way to go. The three tube pre-amps that I find interesting from what I have read so far are:

- Audio Research Reference 5
- Einstein The Tube
- BAT Rex

And i thought i would never consider tubes...

I would like to add Krell Evolution 402 with the Krell evo preamp to that comparison. Somebody strongly recommended it to me and while I never really considered Krell I have not heard it either.

I know there are some negative posts about Krell here and there but are they an alternative to Pass Labs and Gryphon?

Pricewise they certainly cost as much!