Anyone else constantly curious about amps?

Curious about amps? How could you NOT be? I'm with you!

Why? Because there is no such thing as a speaker on its own. The basic unit is a speaker-amp. Their pairing is about "synergy" which means not just "sufficient power" but "pleasing interaction." 

In my room, I have had:
Class A:

• Pass XA 25
• Pass Aleph

Tube:

• Linear Tube Audio ZOTL Ultralinear+
• Quicksilver Mono 60 tube amps

Solid State:

• Adcom 535L
• Benchmark AHB2
• Hypex-based Class D amp built around Burson OP amp.

And everything has been tried both with a very neutral SS preamp as well as with a tube preamp.

All these amps sound different. And not just better/worse but different. And I've tried many of them with different speakers.

The point is that the investigation of "synergy" is a key part of what I'm interested in, and trying different amplifier-speaker combos is the heart of it. And if you're settled on your speakers, what more could you owe them, and your system, than to try out the right amps until you find what brings out their potential (for you, in your system)?

@displayname I was very impressed by the LTA – the cleanness and the wide and articulate soundstage was phenomenal. It is a tube amp but not overly warm. If you are curious, reach out to me because I know a standup guy selling one. (It’s not me.)

I thought this comment on Audiogon was accurate (I also own the Pass XA25 and did this same comparison): 

"The LTA has a big sound with an expansive soundstage that seems to wrap around you whereas the XA25/EAR combo seems smaller but more nimble by comparison. The LTA’s big sound doesn’t come at the expense of detail. In fact, certain “decorative” sounds like bells, triangles and non-drum percussion seem to stand out more with the LTA. Same with vocals, which are quite forward in the mix and, possibly, not to everyone’s liking (personally I prefer it). The XA25 wins on dynamics. In fact, with the Spatials, for me, this is one of the best things about my system. But the LTA is entirely satisfactory in this department as well. Finally, to my surprise, the LTA has amazing, addictive bass that makes the Pass Labs (which until I heard the LTA, I thought produced more than adequate bass) seem anemic in the lower registers. I like the Pass Labs bass enough that I don’t use my subs. With the LTA I would say the bass I get might actually be too much for some ears. Subs are absolutely not needed."

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/lta-ultralinear-plus-integrated-vs-pass-labs-xa25-ear-868pl

@atmasphere I LOVE my ST35. Bought it and refurbished it thanks to your suggestions. What a gem. I was powering 87db bookshelves with it yesterday (Acoustic Energy AE500) and it sounded luscious. Just great.

@gano +1

"Why get the forum involved?" is a laugh out loud line. 

First, since when did "the forum" need someone to speak for it?

Second, this person got involved in a thread he didn't think worthy. Therefore, he's complicit. 

No one likes a nosy cop.

If you want to leave tubes, I think you have to go higher than any Rowland, Pass or Sugden. 

Wow, not at all my experience. Pass, First Watt, sound pretty marvelous and different than tubes.