In one setup, I'm using 3 Parasound JC 1 monoblocks to drive KEF Reference 1072/2s and a 204/2C, and 2 A 23s to drive 4 LS50 surrounds. In another setup, I previously used A 21s to drive a pair of LS50s, but a brief stint with 20-watt Cary CD 572 SE monoblocks led me to an Ayre VX-5 Twenty to capture that sound stage. which it pretty much did without the PITA tubes. For driving LS50s, I'd rank the Ayre first, followed at a distance by the A 21 and an even greater distance by the A23. I haven't compared the Ayre and JC 1s in the same setup, but the JC 1s sure are magnificent with the KEF reference speakers -- I suspect it's their ability to deliver the current the reference speakers seem to thrive on. I have not heard a Pass amp.
Ayre <--> Parasound <--> Pass : where are you?
I’ve been thinking a little bit about three different types of SS amplifier sounds. I’m not really sure what to call them, but I have a definite preference. Here is the spectrum in my mind:
Ayre <--> Parasound <--> Pass
On the one hand is Ayre and Arcam. Yeah, fight me, but there are big similarities to the sound. I also loved the Pono and what it did for my IEMs, using the Ayre designed output stage. I wish Fiio would license it too.
In the middle is Parasound Halo and ICEpower Class D modules (I’ve owned both) which to me are identical in sound quality. Clearly I’m happy with them for the price!
On the opposite end of the spectrum is Pass. A sound I really don’t like.
But regardless of which you like, what do you think the differences are?
What spectrum do you use to think about solid state amplifiers??
Ayre <--> Parasound <--> Pass
On the one hand is Ayre and Arcam. Yeah, fight me, but there are big similarities to the sound. I also loved the Pono and what it did for my IEMs, using the Ayre designed output stage. I wish Fiio would license it too.
In the middle is Parasound Halo and ICEpower Class D modules (I’ve owned both) which to me are identical in sound quality. Clearly I’m happy with them for the price!
On the opposite end of the spectrum is Pass. A sound I really don’t like.
But regardless of which you like, what do you think the differences are?
What spectrum do you use to think about solid state amplifiers??