Help me understand the current amp market


I've been doing some research in regards to amplifiers in hopes of purchasing one some time in the near future. However, it's difficult to navigate all the different models and what makes them exactly special. For starters, which amplifier manufacturers are actually coming up with innovative technologies and which ones are more "assemblers" of slightly modified parts? Pilium, for example, is getting a lot of buzz, but the CEO is an ex gym owner that's an audio enthusiast and not an electrical engineer. So what makes them stand out? Also, I'm seeing companies like Solution and Jeff Rowland using switched mode power supplies. Are these truly better than the traditional toroidal transformers? I understand that you need to listen to them to truly understand each amplifier's significance. However, since it's almost impossible to listen to all of them in the same environment, I'd like to narrow my selection by which ones technological sound good first. Any help would be appreciated.

jyaki

The approach I developed over the last fifty years is to begin by assessing highly reviewed and regarded main stream products. These companies have been in existence for decades and are still top brands because of technological innovation and refinement over decades. Highly reviewed should include reviews from Stereophile, The Absolute Sound and HiFi+. These are the best and most respected journals. With professional reviewers you are more likely to get reviews that assess all aspects of the sound qualities and not just a few and to have the reviewer devulge associated equipment and personal values. Over time you will learn about more attributes and choosing well will let you discover new strengths in your purchase instead of finding weaknesses that you did not know about.

 

Used can be a great way to buy into much better quality and sounding equipment.

You need to think first about tube vs solid state… although some solid state, like the Pass XA series are very warm and tube like and visa versa Rogue.

Brands you should consider first and foremost are Pass (solid state) and Audio Research (tubed). Others, solid state: MacIntosh (tubed or solid state, heavy with midrange and bass… light on detail, look cool), Luxman (heavy on treble and bass… so detailed ( shy on midrange a consequently not musical), Krell (warm) Tubed: Conrad Johnson, VAC, Cary (really warm and musical).

Obviously there are others. Also lower tier NAD and Rotel.

I would read a lot and audition a couple key brands. They have house sounds… so in general they have the same kind of sound with gradual improvements over time… so listening to a current MacIntosh and Pass will give you a good idea of what you are in for with the brand.

 

tu be or not tu be 

That's is the... (Sorry)

I agree with @glennewdick - the Luxman is fantastic. If you want to change it, just pick a direction, geography, technology, brands.

 

 

@glennewdick I do enjoy my Luxman 509-X. This whole thing started when I was thinking about upgrading to the 509-Z. Then I started thinking maybe I should go separates and get the Luxman C-10X with M-10X amplifier. Then, that led to exploring different amplifier options.

@soix @mikelavigne I really do enjoy how my current set up sounds. The Luxman sounds terrific and adding the Mola Mola Tambaqui made a huge difference. I primarily listen to Tidal and to pop, electronic and some rap (no jazz or classical). Since this is my first "real" hi-fi set up, I don't have a clear picture as to which direction I want to go. I guess I'm enjoying learning about this hobby and wanting to see how I can keep improving things. 

@ghdprentice Thanks for the info. Didn't know about HiFi+, I'll definitely check it out

@grislybutter I'm not opposed to tubes, but I really don't know much about them. I figure that the kind of music I listen to is more aligned with the characteristics of a solid-state amplifier?? 

 

I really do enjoy how my current set up sounds…I primarily listen to Tidal and to pop, electronic and some rap (no jazz or classical). Since this is my first "real" hi-fi set up, I don't have a clear picture as to which direction I want to go.

Given this I’d recommend sticking with what you have until you have time to go listen to other systems to identify what specific improvements you’d like to achieve.  At this point you’re just as likely to shoot yourself in the foot as you are to get significant improvements — in other words, it’d be a total crapshoot unless you can try an amp in your system at home first.  Just my $0.02 FWIW.

yes, for the type of music you listed, SS seems to be the way to go. You have a good budget, do you have audio dealers nearby?