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Counterpoint Hybrid Amps: How do they sound?

I've been curious about the Counterpoint SA-100 and NPS amps. They had a tube driver stage and MOSFET outputs. How do they sound compared to other things out there? Are they reliable? Counterpoint was famous for having equipment that was unstable and blew up. I had been told that the designer was not as technically adept an engineer, and that was why the circuit designs were not the most stable, and certain components were stressed in the circuit.

Anyway, the concept of hybrid amps has always been interesting, and very controversial. The different thoughts:

Hybrid amps have the best of tubes and solid state.

Hybrid amps have the worst of tubes and solid state combined.

Hybrid amps should use tube input stages and solid state output stages.

Hybrid amps should use solid state input stages and tube output stages.

YOUR EXPERIENCE & OPINIONS?
kevziek

Showing 1 response by bigkidz

bigkidz
3,415 posts
 
If you think the SA-3000 is a piece of junk then send it to me.  I just tonight finished rebuilding two Counterpoint amps which are actually no longer Counterpoint designs.  All point-to-point wired and Class A output boards with V-Caps.  The sound is now amazing.  Same goes for the preamps.  Upgrades are easy and take these products to a completely higher level.  If you need assistance, send me a message though Agon.

Happy Listening.
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