Hi Larryi,
You mentioned the BaLabo a Japanese SS amplifier. I heard them at CES a few years ago and thought that they were quite good sounding. Two other excellent Japanese SS amplifiers I’ve heard are the Technical Brain and Concert Fidelity (driving the Kaiser KaweroClassic speakers). I believe all three of these are exceptionally good sounding SS amplifiers. I find them more musically involving than say Soulution, Boulder or PASS XS. These sound drier and flatter in comparison if you know what I mean.
Charles, |
Ricred1,
You mentioned Absolare and I’m very familiar with their sound. A good friend had the Absolare Passion Signature 845 PSET amplifiers and the Passion Signature Line Stage for 2 years driving his Rockport Altair speakers. He’s had numerous excellent amplifiers, Symphonic Line RG4 mono blocks, YTL 450, VAC Phi 300.1 etc. In my opinion the Absolare Passion is superior to all of the rest (not meant as a put down).
He now uses the Krell FPB 600 mono blocks, he feels they are more suitable for the Altair’s load impedance characteristics. Maybe so on paper and granted the bass region is very good. I do respect his decision , however as far as I am concerned, overall I’ll choose the Absolare for pure naturalness and superb musically emotional engagement.
I’ve heard Ypsilon and they’re excellent but excessively expensive. Larryi mentioned Viva and I would concur. The Viva Aurora amplifier is better sounding in my opinion than any transistor amplifier I can think of if given the appropriate speaker match. When I say better sounding I’m referring to a natural character and realism. As individual listeners we value sonic qualities and prioritize differently undoubtedly.
Charles, |
Hello Inna,
The particular Ypsilon amplifier I referred to was I believe in the 80K range at the time (2011). My friend’s Absolare Passion Signature when he purchased them were 52K (2013). No question that both are Uber priced audio components. I haven’t enough listening experience with the Accuphase to render an opinion. They’re certainly held in very high esteem by many experienced listeners. Yes the Viva Aurora amplifier is DHT tubes powered. Driving Trenner-Friedl speakers at CES was one of the best rooms I've ever heard at an audio show.
Hello Joey and jlaz,
Please understand that my comments regarding listening impressions are obviously subjective and personal. I made it very clear that this is all about individual taste. No question that the Boulder sound could be simply ideal for what you desire and nothing sounds better in your system. I wouldn’t even begin to argue or dispute your preferences.
It’s impossible for me to hear all of these Uber amplifiers compared directly in the same system under controlled conditions, it will never happen. I’m simply sharing my listening impressions limited by real world constraints. I hope that factor is very obvious and that I’m not making any sort of proclamation. My "dry and flat" could be "neutral and accurate" to another listener and I recognize that point.
Charles, |
Ricred1,
There are many excellent tube preamps in the price range you stated. Here’s a short list. Three I’ve heard and know well.
Atma-Sphere MP-1 MK III
Coincident Statement Line Stage
VAC Signature MK II
Three based on trusted word of mouth.
Shindo Vosne-Romanee
Shindo Masseto
Melody Pure Black 101d
Charles, |
Ricred1,
At Axpona (Chicago) this spring I heard the Aavik driving Raidho speakers. I was with 2 friends and we felt that the sound of that room/system was decent but nothing particularly special (it wasn’t bad sounding to be clear). It wasn’t a prolonged listening session (like some other rooms we visited). So I am in no position to offer any meaningful impressions.
It could possibly be a terrific integrated class D amplifier under proper setup conditions. It has a built-in DAC and Phono stage and 600 watts into 4 ohms. It could be very worthwhile to pursue and audition. Price wise it competes with integrated amps from Absolare, Vitus, ,Dartzeel and Ypsilon. Good luck to you.
Thanks Al as you know the feeling is mutual.
Charles, |
Hi ricred1,
Thank you for the kind comments. When expressing opinions on an open forum there's the risk of unintentionally offending someone's cherished audio brand /components of choice. My friend's massive Krells actually sound very good driving the Altairs. The Absolare Passion amplifiers add the dimensionality and breath of life aspect that is hard to describe but unmistakable when present. So I relate to your Absolare and Jeff Rowland contrast.
Charles, |
Inna,
The bass quality of an amplifier is so tied to the speaker that you really have to discuss them in tandem as this link is that strongly intertwined. In the example I cited the Rockport Altair is 4 ohms nominal load and drops to roughly 2 ohms in the bass region. I will concede the Krell FPB has excellent control of the Altair woofer and has superior weight, impact and scale.
However the Absolare Passion is quite accomplished in the bass (by no means is it shabby) with very good texture, articulation and convincing natural bloom and air. So IMO it's a matter of "good" vs exceptionally executed bass performance. I could and would easily live with the Absolare Passion-Altair bass,why? For me it's good enough bass and in virtually every other sonic parameter a sublime amplifier in areas that matter most for my satisfaction.
Choices and compromises we all must decide individually. If I were to own the Absolare I'd just find a speaker with a less demanding load and thus more compatible with this brilliant amplifier. When I heard the Ypsilon amplifier it was driving Tidal speakers and there were no bass issues that I detected. Again, appropriate speaker match.
Charles, |
Richard,
If the opportunity arises to hear/audition the Aavik I say go for it!
It'd be much fun to compare it to your Rowland fronted with a high quality tube preamplifier.
Charles, |
Hello Richard,
Tube preamp idea is a good move. You may or may not prefer it but it’s worth the effort to listen to one in your system. You have the right attitude. Keep in mine that amongst tube preamps each will sound different from oneanother. Here’s what I mean, CJ, ARC,VAC or Atma-Sphere(all are well respected) for an example have their own distinct sound character. So many variables in High End audio= fun and discovery.
Charles, |
Hello hddg,
When I mentioned that I heard the VAC and Atma-Sphere preamplifiers with my 300b amplifier I was referring to the Coincident Frankenstein MK II SET. 😊
Charles, |
Hi Richard,
Yes system synergies will be the determining factor. I find it virtually impossible to say that one is clearly superior to the other. The ARC REF 6 could be the perfect fit in one system and yet be outdone by the CJ GAT in another setting. I’ve heard the VAC Signature MK II and the Atma-Sphere MP I MK III with my SET 300b mono blocks (my amplifier was placed in two different systems that used these preamplifiers). Both were excellent in my opinion.
Of course the challenge is getting the opportunity to hear the various contenders in the same system, easier said than done. Richard I truly believe that any of the four I listed along with the Coincident Line Stage would mate fabulously with your Jeff Rowland amplifier. Yet each one would reveal its own unique sonic character.
Charles, |
Hello Larryi,
I have not had the opportunity to hear the Berning 211/845 amplifier. I suspect that it is quite good sounding. I'm biased towards low-moderate power tube amplifiers but I have heard very fine sounding higher powered SS amplifiers in certain systems. The big distinction I hear is that usually good quality tube amplifiers are superior in the realm of tone and tactile presence which is important to me. Having said that, my friend's 600 watt Krell driving Rockport Altair speakers does provide exceptional performer presence.
Charles, |
Hi Larryi,
I have not heard these Swedish amplifiers. A friend of mine heard the original version of them at their debut during CES 2009. He said they were èxtraordinarily transparent and utterly natural. He was very impressed with their presentation.
Another curiosity generating all out assault 300b amplifier is is the Swiss made Da Vinci Preziosa.
Charles, |
