Counterpoint Hybrid Amps: How do they sound?

I have owned a few Counterpoint products over the years and none were unreliable at all. Originally, I used them to feed Apogee speakers with Theta source material. I actually still have a couple stored (an SA100 and an SA220). Compared to SS of the time, I found them quite musical and reasonably priced. With good synergy, you could get pretty enjoyable sound.

I recently hooked each of my remaining two Counterpoint amps (in succession) up to a pair of Avalon Opus Speakers and a pair of Kharma Ceramique 2 speakers with Levinson digital source and was disappointed with the performance. Both were still musical, but compared to a number of amps I either own or have recently auditioned, there were a number of problems. My complaints were with what I must guess is an excessive "mosfet mist" - worse in the 220 than in the 100. The soundstage was wide and deep, but definition of individual instruments was not as precise as in many current amps, and air around voices and instruments was lacking.

The hybrid approach can be found in a number of current production amps - some wonderful (Lamm), some disappointing IMHO (AR), and others I have heard great things about but haven't auditioned (Llano).

If you have tough to drive speakers but love tubes, a hybrid may be a good choice - or a tube pre with a ss amp. I am considering the latter now or a really big tube amp.

Hope that helps...

Jacob

I've had an SA-220 (upgraded Sa-20) for almost 10 years. I still haven't even changed the input stage tubes - normally an indicator of a very well thought of circuit design. I would recommend either the SA-100 or the SA-220, the earlier versions, the SA-12 and SA-20 did have a rep for terminating rather easily.

I am currently auditioning a used SA-220 amp until January 11 in my home and then have to decide if I want to purchase it. One thing my son and I noticed is that the amp has to be on for about an hour and then the sound 'blooms' and is most impressive. Has anyone else noticed that? Sound stage is wide and could use a little more front to back depth. One thing I am pleased with is the lack of ear fatigue after listening to them for compared to my previous Hafler. How does this amp sound compared to Brystons?

The main thing I am concerned about is repairs if it goes down as the store will give me only a 90 day warranty. The do say that they can fix it unless the power transformer blows. If Mike Elliot repairs this amp how do I go about contacting him?

I see I am a bit late posting about a Counterpoint SA-220 and what is now a NP-220.  I have been busy listening and not reading audio blogs.  It has been a rock solid amp providing organic, emotional content through the loudspeakers.  I could never overdrive the amp and it has provided 22+ years of service.  
 
When it changed from mosfet to bi-polar outputs (my fault) the bass tightened up and the overall sound sobered up some, but as has been spoken before, it always sounded best when it was well warmed up.

To sum up, my wife (a non performance audio type) plays her music with friends in the room louder then polite company would approve because the music is so involving and all the women appreciate that.  That spells it out for me. 

As Ultrakaz stated....I had a SA3000 pre-amp. PIECE OF JUNK. It picked up RF interference in the photo section in the form of an AM Religious radio station. I contacted  Counterpoint tech support and was told to move because their POS pre-amp was not compatible with my residence. LOL. Eventually resolved the issue with ferrite beads. Anyone interested in Counterpoint Products, BUYER BEWARE