Erik, I think there are too many variables to draw any meaningful conclusions relative to the sound quality among these different brands. My anecdotal experience having heard Parasound A23 and an older but comparably powered Ayre amp in the same system was the Parasound didn't even come close to the fullness and organic sound of the Ayre. I also heard the Pass XA100.5 monos in a completely different system and room driving Vandersteen Treo CT speakers and they sounded incredibly transparent, full body and musical. Any input will be completely subjective borderline pointless.
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??