Doozy of an amp question


Still looking for my eternal love.

A forever amp. At least for now. I cannot try them out in my system as they are both beasts and it would be a nightmare getting them, paying for an audition and then returning them

I am having to go on instinct.

I have narrowed it down to two very different kinds of amps at two very different price points. And I have chosen these two because of reviews in magazines and the positive comments here and on other forums.

 

My pre is an Arc Ref 10 and my speakers are Dalis.

I am look at a tube Mc 1502 which I can afford right now or a Sim 861 for which I would have to wait to save for.

I realize it’s tube vs SS but both have their positives and a SS can have tube like characteristics which I like.

 

I’ve heard Mcintosh and liked it a lot but never heard this model.

I’ve never heard Sim but the reviews and comments about the 861 have been absolutely rhapsodic. And somebody whose opinion I trust said Sim is an excellent brand. But is this a flavor of the month model?

 

Has anybody heard both these amps. Any thoughts, opinions, advice?

 

 

roxy1927

Showing 1 response by dtorc

I own a Zesto Bia 120 amp, and it is my favorite in a long life of many power amps. I find it has a clarity balanced by a smidge of warmth that really works on the wide range of music I listen to daily. 
 

You may find a used Bia 120, which you can get upgraded inexpensively. Or try out the newer, more versatile Bia 200. 
 

Zesto deserves more attention than it gets. I’m all in - phono section, pre amp and amp. But I ran the amp with the very good PS Audio BHK hybrid preamp, and that combo worked great, too.