I'll start of by saying I have a really great sounding amp, the Mastersound Dueventi. It's a class-A tube amp running in PSET putting out 20 watts of power, which proves to be plenty in my room. I have other audio upgrades that would be more valuable. I've slowly been replacing cables, a new streamer would probably have the biggest impact in my system next, I'd like a new turntable now that I've stepped up my cartridge and phonostage...
But I just keep coming back to amps. For some reason I just feel a need to bring in something new. I can't afford it. It won't be the most high impact in my system. I don't really have anywhere to demo several of these options. But still, I've been on a two week long rabbit hole exploring solid state class A options like Pass and Sugden. I heard a top in system this past weekend with Jeff Rowland driving the system and I forgot how great those can sound, so I'm finding myself looking at their integrated. I know Norma amps sound amazing with my speakers, so I'm always tempted to bump that up the priority list.
Someone talk me off the ledge and help me with this sickness!
Interesting off subject comments….patents and all that history swept under the carpet….selective memory to suit political dogma.
l can only add that China in the 21st Century has been doing the same thing to the World. With your claims to copyright ownerships, the USA was arguably not a great role model for ignoring ‘patents’ in the 20th Century’
Answering the unending ‘sickness’ condition of constant upgradeitus (not a real word but quite apt) from the OP @displayname l can only say if you are still getting too near the ‘ledge’ make sure you land in a ‘’treated’’ padded cell treatment room’’
Oh…..and l do agree with you and another poster on here….. if anyone suffers from the mentioned ‘upgradeitus’ it is advisable to buy second hand, but be forewarned if you do…. think of why the previous owner wanted to sell it.
Oops, in my previous post, I meant to say Dyna ST35 reissue instead of EL84 Dyna mkII as my second favorite amp when I attended that audio show many years back. That is a great sounding amp.
A pet project of mine is the restoration of a Nobles NS-130 amp. I've had two of these in the past (in much better shape). This one is going to get a complete rebuild after I take it completely apart to refinish the chassis.
Of all the EL84-based amps from the 1950s/60s, this one is arguably the best.
This is the best image I could find online in a quick search. The socket on the left is for the 5AR4 rectifier tube. Each channel is housed in its own removable module.
If you can't afford it but still feel that urge maybe it is time to consider what exactly you are wanting or missing out of your system. Perhaps a component you have can be modified or upgraded, or maybe sell some things you no longer use to fund something that better suits your needs and tastes.
I was constantly curious about amplifiers until I found the right one. They all sounded so different. I heard what I liked in amp “A” but wanted more power. A more powerful model of the same make was not the answer and it sent me down the rabbit hole until success at last.
The idea of setting qualifications up front made it more difficult to find the right one but easier to know when you crossed the finish line.
@voltaicqI think I may have overstated the can't afford it element. I can't afford it at the moment, but I probably can afford it in 6-18 months if I focus on saving. I think the real element is I can't afford to change the amp AND make other changes in my system really would be of more benefit.
And the core thing I was trying is that amps constantly capture my curiosity, even though I am happy with my existing amp. I'm not one to collect a lot of equipment. I like to have one system that has all my resources put into it. But I have a feeling I may become the type of person that ends up with 2-3 amps over the years because I am constantly curious about trying new amps more than other piece in the system.
@avanti1960 I think you've predicted the journey that I am on the brink of starting. I really like what I hear in my amp, especially the tone. But I'm craving a deeper understanding of what inherent sound different amps offer. I may just need to save up, buy used, and go down the road of shuffling a few things. I may end up right back where I started, but the curiosity seems to be hitting me more an amps than anything else.
There ain't no romance without finance and there ain't no replacement for displacement.
I would create a top notch system around a big tranny amp, like Bryston etc., 700w plus.
You can use a tube pre but a top notch tranny pre will be double or more the cost.
Tranny amps are brutally accurate that's why lot's of folks go for tubes. They are easier to get to sound good, but lack accuracy, with their sweet dreamy sound.
@hilde45 great info on some of your amps, especially the LTA. Been very curious about their pieces!
Can you speak a bit more about these amps specifically?
I've been super curious about the Hypex and the Benchmark specifically; I already own and my 'reference' amp is a fully upgraded dual mono Adcom-GFA555 amp.
It's not a bombastic slamming amp, but it seems a lot more detailed and precise than it had been. Compared to my integrated Rega ElexR, which does present as 'powerful/bombastic', I am curious about more efficient amps and their presentation. (Sound stage is mostly lost on my set-up: it's very un-ideal asymmetrical with a huge cabinet in the middle of the speakers).
Solid State:
Adcom 535L
Benchmark AHB2
Hypex-based Class D amp built around Burson OP amp.
@whipsaw thank you for the input! I have been curious about LTA and I got to hear a few of their pieces at SWAF. I wish they had some dealer network, but they do have a quality trial period.
At the end of the day I think I’m starting to advertise that the best way to go is likely going to be buying used from places like TMR or buying direct with return options. Not the easiest way, and not the way I’d prefer to do business, but it might just be the way it goes now.
Bear in mind that a dealer network would necessitate much higher prices! So buying direct from LTA certainly has advantages.
Having said that, I have purchased a high percentage of my components used over the years, so I wouldn't discourage you from taking that route. I would, however, check to make certain that the warranty of whatever you are considering is transferable!
What is it that you want the new amplifier to do that your current one doesn't? Are you looking for more nuance, more dynamic range or dynamic contrasts, tonal quality or something else?
I find it helpful to know what you want a new component to do that enhances your musical experience. Without that, we're just like a leaf blown around by the wind.
@gbmcleodI really intended this thread more for empathy of the constant struggle of wanting to hear everything but being limited by life, and my current ongoing distraction is a fixation with amps. I feel like I know what I'd upgrade every piece in my system with if I came into a pile of cash... except my amp. That's what's really sparked the curiosity.
But let me see if I can unpack my thoughts. The number one think I love about my Mastersound Dueventi is the vocal tone. That easily is the standout feature in my mind. String instruments are also a strong performer in my opinion. Other elements I really enjoy are depth of soundstage, and very respectable imaging. My speakers also have quite fast bass, but trades off with fairly light bass impact. It's a texture over slam pairing, and when faced with a choice, I would keep the texture even if it means giving up on some slam.
If I can find an amp that matches the Mastersound tone, that will spark my interest. If I can avoid tube maintenance, that will get me to consider it as a real potential option. If it can open up the top end with a little more resolution, I know my system can benefit from that. If it can also provide a little more low end punch without getting flabby... well then I would likely start to save obsessively until I can make the jump.
I'll also add that I absolutely prefer a sweeter top end. I admittedly listen to a number of poor recordings, and I don't ever want a system to be analytical to the extent that is just exposes all the flaws in a recording and makes some of my favorite albums from my life unenjoyable. After a journey of amps, I may very well land right back at my Mastersound. But I think I do need to start the journey.
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