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Interim SS Amp - Likely Candidates?

Due to an upcoming move and renovation in our new home I am looking for a short term replacement amp fhat could be a suitable stand in for my beloved First Watt F8 amp. The rest of my system consists of a Modwright LS99 tube preamp, Volti Razz speakers, Aurender N200 streamer, Schitt Yggy LIM DAC plus a Modwright PH 9.0. tube phono stage and a ClearAudio Concept turntable with an AT- ART9XI cartridge.  Most of my listening is on the digital side. 

Short term based on the limited space my system will reside in ,the First Watt can’t play a part due to size of the space and the heat issue with this Class A.  Good news is that my Volti speakers are highly efficient and I will not need a big power amp.  Also as we renovate I am looking at the ideal space and layout for my system that will include the First Watt F8.  

I want to go with a solid-state amp as the combination of this with my Modwright LS99 is magic.  Looking to spend $2,500- $3,000 and will be open to used or new.  So far I have been thinking of Class AB or D offerings.  I am totally open to suggestions at this point.  Below are a few of the candidates that might fill my need and work well with my other components.  I do realize that each amp will bring a different "flavor" from my First Watt F8. 

  • Orchard Starkrimson 25 Mono premiums (new)
  • Parassound A21+ Halo (used)
  • Primare A35.2 (used)
  • Bell Canto 501 Monoblocks 

Help me out with thoughts on the above and other potential amps!  Many thanks in advance........ 

norust

Showing 1 response by desktopguy

desktopguy
401 posts
 

I never managed to hear the bel canto 500Ms (not for lack of trying on the sparse used market)--but I did find a cherry pair of 600Ms. The main difference between them is that the 500Ms feature an older class D amp module, ICEPower vs the 600Ms using NCore.

More important the class D module used is the input stage and overall design & construction. I can only say good things about my 600Ms. They have a beautifully clear, but not at all sterile or edgy sound. They’re easily the best SS amps I’ve ever heard.

But ICEPower can be very nice, too. My first class d amp was the Wyred 4 Sound ST-500, a stereo amp based on an ICEPower module. It has a wonderfully musical sound. I kept it as a backup; it was so good to me for 3-4 years.

I’m guessing the bc 500Ms & W4S ST-500 would be roughtly equal in how hard or reasy they are to find used. You can’t go wrong with either IMHO.

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