2. best-of
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Best solid-state amp made anywhere

I'd like to open up this "best of" to include amps from New Zealand, Canada, France, England, Germany and (my personal favorite) Italy, as well as whoever else I've left out (no extraterrestrial amps, please). I have spent some time with the most amazing solid state amp - made by Aloia of Italy and uses an inductive (!) power supply. These amps have a naturalness and ease I haven't previously encountered in solid state, not even Pass or Claytons. Have you noticed that the Italians make superb audio equipment? In this country, audio engineering is to engineering as podiatry is to medicine. It just doesn't typically draw the cream of the crop. In Italy music matters far more, and audio equpiment is designed by people who will make an opera singer sing her part over if they aren't satisfied with her performance. Well enough sociology - what's your vote for best solid state amp?
captain_imho
avalon
23 posts
 
I had Levinson 33H and did up grade to Jeff Rowland 8Ti which was more my cup of tea (it was a big step) and now I have Goldmund Mimesis 29 in two years it was at factory only once ;-) In my system Goldmund is superior to the amps above. just my 0.02
hungryear
62 posts
 
I truly do not feel that this can be answered validly. An amplifier's performance is, to a great extent, dependent on component synergy. All too frequently, people get to audition various pieces of equipment in a dealer's store who will frequently carry only limited brands of cables and other components. Merely inserting different makes of amplifier into an otherwise identical system, does not necessarily imply the comparison has validity. The amplifier (under audition) may require different components to make it really 'shine' (these components are frequently unavailable in the dealer's store, in my experience). Of course, there are other issues, such as type of music for which the system is intended. These variables are not mentioned above.
ajeembf08
3 posts
 
This question can't be answered. The matching of equipment may give many different solutions, as well as what "school" you are member of - the Western monsteramps or the Eastern single-enders.. Good luck Arve
siddh
345 posts
 
Haven't heard enough, since tubes is my bag, but the new Krell Cast amps (forgive me, dear Lord) coupled with the Cast preamp. Pretty damn musical. And not a bad bottom either.
snook2's avatar
snook2
626 posts
 
You're right Imho on these amps. The Aloia's with the inductive supply have stunning control. These are a great match with the Dunlavy V's. I have heard Dunlavy may be using these amps as his reference.
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