As the owner of Ayre gear, be advised their products are very neutral, typically double at 4 ohms and are stable down to 2 ohms. Excellent customer support from Ayre. Pass Labs amps sound more like your tube gear and are of great quality. Another brand to consider pre-owned is Mark Levinson. More power than you are seeking (as are Ayre amps), built like a tank, stable to 2 ohms, tremendous power reserves. (I also own a 20 yr old Levinson amp that still sounds great.) I’ve listened to a current $10k Luxman integrated amp and liked the sound, but it clipped badly at moderately high volumes with my 84 dB sensitivity speakers. Haven’t listened to your speakers so I cannot say any more. Happy listening.
Demo'ing Class A amps, Appreciation Suggestions from those who recently been there
I recently sold my Cary S120MKll Amp in 2 days. It was 60wpc triode.
Filling in with Pass Lab, baby DIY Class A Mono blocks. Maxing at 7 wpc.
My speakers are rated 94 Sensitivity older FSMs by Tannoy.
I have sampled so far in order of preference:
-Pass Labs XA25 -Disneyland color the way I like it. $4,900 new
-Leben 300 Int. 12 wpc. EL 84s by Golden Lion-Like an Upscale call girl. Seductive. $4,000 new-Not in the running-
-Lejonklou Boazu Int.-40wpc S.S. Class a/b-Totally Pure. Almost hurts to hear a guitar slide. $4,000 new
-Sugden Masterclass IA 4 Class A to 33wpc. Very smooth but surprisingly not a great match with my Tannoys. $6,000?
What else would you think might be worth a listen?
I want to go Solid State this time. I enjoy the Class A resolution.
Yes the Leben is an outlier someone offered and I said "Sure"! Done with hum otherwise.
I listen from a low of 60 db to high of 75 db.
Room is irregular and medium sized in terms of cubic
feet. Treated as needed.
I want an amp that is satisfying enough to keep for the long run.
Someday I may add the others for a different sound or with less efficient planars, etc.
Price range $5k max.
Used preferred.
Willing to wait.
Brands I am have not heard but read positive comments about:
Ayre, Naim, Linn
Thank you all in advance for your thoughts.
Please do not feel compelled to respond if you
have not been here in the last few years.
Filling in with Pass Lab, baby DIY Class A Mono blocks. Maxing at 7 wpc.
My speakers are rated 94 Sensitivity older FSMs by Tannoy.
I have sampled so far in order of preference:
-Pass Labs XA25 -Disneyland color the way I like it. $4,900 new
-Leben 300 Int. 12 wpc. EL 84s by Golden Lion-Like an Upscale call girl. Seductive. $4,000 new-Not in the running-
-Lejonklou Boazu Int.-40wpc S.S. Class a/b-Totally Pure. Almost hurts to hear a guitar slide. $4,000 new
-Sugden Masterclass IA 4 Class A to 33wpc. Very smooth but surprisingly not a great match with my Tannoys. $6,000?
What else would you think might be worth a listen?
I want to go Solid State this time. I enjoy the Class A resolution.
Yes the Leben is an outlier someone offered and I said "Sure"! Done with hum otherwise.
I listen from a low of 60 db to high of 75 db.
Room is irregular and medium sized in terms of cubic
feet. Treated as needed.
I want an amp that is satisfying enough to keep for the long run.
Someday I may add the others for a different sound or with less efficient planars, etc.
Price range $5k max.
Used preferred.
Willing to wait.
Brands I am have not heard but read positive comments about:
Ayre, Naim, Linn
Thank you all in advance for your thoughts.
Please do not feel compelled to respond if you
have not been here in the last few years.