No-one mentioned Halcro and Boulder. I am not familiar with them. Where do they stand? |
Bombaywalla, though you heard all those amps with different speakers, could you try to describe the differences between them, particular character of each? I am especially curious about Gryphon and Ypsilon. We are talking about superb amps, on the frontier of what is possible to achieve.
We could add tube amps to the discussion, but it would greatly complicate it. How do you compare Gryphon to Lamm SET Reference? I suppose, with the right speakers Lamm might have the edge but it would also probably depend on taste and choice of music. |
These three brands appear to be very popular among both audiophiles and not. I am interested in the experience of those who auditioned other amps that seemed a step or two above. This thread is not about asking a specific advice or about system integration.
Parasound and Levinson are not better in any way. |
" Like a water.." - great metaphor and probably highest compliment.
It does appear that Gryphon has enough of the dark side of Scandinavian psyche, and Ypsilon is Greek at its best.
Thank you. Which one would I choose based only on your description? After some struggle - Ypsilon. |
No no no, it's a dream. They now have a modest $25k hybrid integrated, this might be possible in the future, though for this kind of money used Lamm separates would probably be better, but I would have to compare. |
Someone got to put those Ypsilons against Lamm Reference. Now that could be fun. |
I see. I remember reading similar comments about Boulder. |
A number of years ago I read a review in Stereophile or The Absolute Sound of the Ypsilon preamp. The reviewer was almost shocked by what he called an incredible sound above anything else he'd heard before. Don't remember what power amp and speakers he used.
Oh yeah, no mentioning of MBL, Goldmund and CH.. amps either. Again, never heard any of them. |
Yeah, I took a look, I just wanted to hear from people with firsthand experience with the amps. Looks very impressive. And they use Echole wiring and selected NOS tubes.
It appears that it is confirmed in this thread what I have always suspected - Ayre, Pass, Rowland etc. are just the first step on the way to true high-end sound. I myself might make this step in the form of an integrated as a temporary solution but not separates, I would want to go higher as quickly as possible. |
Absolare? Never heard of them. Who are these people why make them? |
What is the price of their integrated, $50k or so ?
We got quite a list for the dreamers - Gryphon, Ypsilon, FM Acoustics, Nagra, Vitus, Lamm, Absolare, maybe Symphonic Line, perhaps some other well known Swiss amps. And that's only SS or hybrid. Lamm's preamps are all tube though.
My cardinal direction within this company would most likely be Ypsilon and Lamm. If thinking only of integrated I would try Ypsilon hybrid first and the rest second except Absolar - it is too expensive any way you look at it. Gryphon, Vitus, Nagra, Symphonic Line integrateds may be best value. |
Same as Ypsilon. This would be an interesting comparison. |
Charles1dad, if I got it right, you thought that the Ypsilons were overpriced but Absolares were not.
Viva Aurora is all tube, correct? I heard that they are great. |
Accuphase not as good as the forementioned three Japanese brands? |
Hello Charles,
Thank you for your comments. Of course, we are not talking about matches and preferences. However, usually a great piece can be recognized by an experienced listener even if the match is not ideal.
If I got it right, Absolare was somewhat deficient in certain aspects of bass reproduction but was absolutely superb in everything else, yes in that particular system.
How did Ypsilon do bass, I wonder? |
Charles, thank you, I understand now. Both Absolare and Ypsilon seem to be superb performers and with perfect speaker match maybe even more than that. |
Which one of those do you like most, Charles? |
Hddg, I agree with you except with what you called 5%. At this level I would only be interested in 100%. 95% or 50% are the same, that's they are not 100%. It is either yes or no. |
Everyone knows that only great SET amp gives kind of midrange purity. |
So, the best solution could be a custom amp for particular speakers, and I mean for a particular pair of speakers.
Atmasphere, do you do this? |
So I did some youtube 'auditioning' of the amps mentioned here, not all though. The only SS amps that I liked were Gryphon - deep dark powerful sound reaching subterranian regions. Hybrids - Ypsilon and Absolare followed by Lamm. Tube - Lamm SET.
Not impressed by Vitus or Swiss brands. Kondo has excellent tone but no drive or bass. MBL okay.
Will tryTenor, Wavac etc. too.
Best speaker so far - Lansche. Ypsilon/Lansche system is spectacular.
Very different, but Absolar/Rockport is very impressive too - big forcefull powerful sound, perfect for certain types of music.
I'll try to find another SS to join this company, for now no luck.
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