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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 2 responses by yyzsantabarbara

yyzsantabarbara
5,075 posts
 

I have owned the Parsound A21+ and liked it though I thought it was a little thick. A good amp for a bright speaker.

My recommendation is the Schitt Wotan at $2k. I consider it as good as a couple of $8k SS amps I owned in the past. The Wotan has tremendous bass like the A21+, it is much cleaner on top.

It does need about 2 months of heavy play for the top end gremlins to completely go away. I have listened to this amp with the Yggi+ LIM | MIB | OG on Magnepan Mini speakers. 

BTW - over the past decade I have bought and sold the AHB2 about 6 times. I was doing a lot of audio swapping then. The AHB2 was replaced by the Wotan because the AHB2 is not great with Maggies. The AHB2 is a bit cleaner on top over the Wotan, but that is usually the case for ALL amps compared with the AHB2. The Wotan has a lot more power and grunt that the AHB2 cannot deliver. I love the AHB2 since it is such a unique sounding amp. 

yyzsantabarbara
5,075 posts
 

The Schitt Tyr are more polite than the Wotan I mentioned. This was from Jason Stoddard the designer. The Tyr are on clearance now and will be replaced by a new more expensive replacement that has some of the Wotan's designs. The new Tyr should be the top of the line.

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