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Buckeye Amps musicality? Not measurements, musicality....

Hey Everyone.... question, I am contemplating the Buckeye Amps 9040 Purifi monoblocks. I am, at the same time, considering the Musical Fidelity M6x 250.5 (5 channel) all of this in an effort to run my LCR up front. (Arendal 1723 THX Monitors)  - everything I read from Dylan at Buckeye and hear from his interviews in YouTube videos all surrounds measurements. Let's assume that every amp, in particular these two options, measure incredibly well. I get that.

But I also get that amp measurements are only a piece of how an amp ACTUALLY SOUNDS in the real world with my room and my speakers.  Which is why its a red flag that Buckeye hides behind measurements as the end-all-be-all of buying an amplifier. If measurements were the absolute end of the discussion, there wouldn't have been a Class A or A/B amp sold in the last 5 years. I get that the Purifi stuff measures well, incredibly well, but to never say anything in public forums or in public interviews about how your amps actually sound or how musical they are compounds and continues the notion that while Class D measures insanely well, they sound cold, brittle, analytical, bright, shout'y and too forward. Class D or no Class D, it boils down to the amp designers' actual implementation of the technology in how it sounds, e.g. the input stage, the output stage, the signal path, etc.

So what I'm looking for I suppose is owners of exceptional Class A/B amps (like Musical Fidelity, Parasound, Rotel et al) who have made that leap of faith to the Purifi Buckeye either 7040 or 9040 modules and how your experience has been.....  ??  Thanks immensely! 

audiotruth

Showing 6 responses by mapman

mapman's avatar
mapman
22,964 posts
 

I have GanFET and Hypex.  The Class D audio GanFETs take performance up a notch in regards to detail and dynamics.  The Hypex is warmer and very good as well.  It will come down to personal preference.  Don’t operate under the assumption that all Hypex amps are created equal.  They vary greatly in both sound and how implemented.  Same true of GanFET but the technology itself provides an advantage if done well. 

mapman's avatar
mapman
22,964 posts
 

My system has soul when James Brown or Al Green are playing.  Not so much with Kraftwerk or Metallica.  Tool is right out!

mapman's avatar
mapman
22,964 posts
 

I was going to go with VTV but ended up buying Class D Audio.  Reason being I would have gone with the most "straight line" vtv opamp option anyhow and Class D audio offerred a brand new GaN based product that is also "straight line" in nature plus also even smaller and less expensive.  The Class D audio Gan amp has worked out perfectly...best sounding amp I have owned and I’ve owned a lot over the years.   I’ve found dynamics and detail to be  their most unique sonic attributes,plus seem able to drive even the most challenging loads very well  .

mapman's avatar
mapman
22,964 posts
 

Vtv: high performance Class D amps with opamp options to tailor the sound

mapman's avatar
mapman
22,964 posts
 

Hmm the Buckeyes sound pretty “musical” to me based on that description. 😉 

Of course the other things in the system will have a say as well.  

Some vendors in that space offer different op amp options with their amps to tailor the sound from more neutral  and accurate for some to warmer sounding for others.  Your choice!   That’s a very practical way to go. 

mapman's avatar
mapman
22,964 posts
 

Not Buckeye but I own other Hypex and GaN Class D amps and high end Icepower  prior as well as various other designs prior.  
 

All are very good quality amps that sound very good but different. You have to hear to know if for you. 
 

What would you have a vendor “hide behind” other than objective measurements?  Marketing Hype?  
 

 

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