Looking for input on an amplifier switch

I had Pass designed amps for nearly forty years. Threshold s/500 then Pass X350 with and Audio Research Reference preamp. Sonus Faber Olympica 3... I now have Sonus Faber Amati Traditional.

I had been hesitant to do a tube amp because of the reputation... tube life and biasing. But finally decided to go ahead. My dealer brought over an Audio Research Ref 160s. 

I slid the 175 pound X350 to the side, so I could slide it back in for comparison. When I sat down and listened to the ARC Ref 160, within seconds I knew the Pass was never going back in. There was absolutely no competition. I acknowledged that the brick wall slam had disappeared. But every aspect of the sound quality improved, including the bass. More natural, forceful midrange, natural treble, musical... hugely musical. All the detail was there, but in proportion to how it should be, not unnecessarily highlighted. The bass was so much better, natural sounding, nuanced... not just a big bump... or slam. I instantly realized the slam from the Pass and most other solid state amps is phony. If you go to a concert... say Rock. The heavy bass sound arriving from the stage is what it sounds like on the ARC amp... not like the artificial brick wall (and die) sound wall of solid state. While I liked the slap in the chest... absolutely every aspect of the music got better... not by a little... a lot, overwhelming. So after 40 years of solid state amps, I just had to ask... why the heck didn’t I do this decades ago. I have no excuses. I had heard the ARC amps before... I just don’t know. 

Over the last six years I have also had ARC Ref 160m monoblocks for two of those years. Outstanding. If I could have afforded them, they would have stayed. 

FYI, I used to have an Aurlic Aries G2 streamer. I have heard the G2.2 has much better sound quality than the one I had. 

Thanks for the feedback. This is very helpful And yes, the G2.2 is very nice, indeed. I like it because it also plays Amazon HD in addition to the usual ones. The build quality is phenomenal. 

@ghdprentice You hurt my feelings. “Pass and most other solid state amps is phony”. I have Pass and I’m happy. Between dog, tennis ball, grandchild and myself, tubes are not a match. 

@goldenways

Sorry... how about largely artificial. Pass amps are great. I was really happy with them for forty years.

I don’t know your budget but your preamp is pretty horrible. I would focus on that and get a Burmester 088 or 035 and a dac first like a Weiss Helios. Your dac is slow and just not detailed. Then get a Burmester 911 MK3 stereo amp it can drive a truck and is full bodied AND detailed without sounding too "hi-Fi" with treble murder cannon highs like boulder does.

AR 300 monoblocks are good but you have to deal with tubes I would do solid state if you go with AR on their new amps but Burmester is incredible and lots of deals now on their used gear and it lasts forever. 

+1 pennfootball71

My system started out with McIntosh MC1.25 kWh mono blocs which I had for about 6 years.  During longer listening sessions I would get ear fatigue.  So I went out and demoed as many amps / preamps configurations that were in my budget and I landed on Audio Research 160S and Ref6SE preamp.  I had that in my system for about 3 years and on a whim bought a previously owned Burmester 032 integrated for my office set up.  I was so impressed with the Burmester that I ended up moving on from Audio Research and have landed on a Burmester amp and pre amp set up in my main system.  There are plenty of opportunities to buy Burmester used products online to fit your budget.  
 

Good luck and let us know how you make out  

OK I say this every time, we are a manufacturer of tube components and we are a repair/upgrade facility.  You actually do not know how a component will perform until you try something in your own system.

In our listening room we have a pair of Sonus Farber Stradivari speakers.  We typically use our tube mono blocks on them at around 35wpc.  We have used many other mono block amps since we repair components and get to try them out on that system.  Recently we received a VAC Ren 30/30 stock stereo amp.  That little sucker worked fantastic on those speakers.  So, you don't know until you hear it in your own system.

If you are looking for warmth, I would say that the AR is not a champ in that area.  Maybe better than the Krell, but I don't know what you exactly mean by warmth to your ears.  The old Krell KSA-50 was a fantastic power amplifier back in the day so it depends on different models what floats ones boat. I would also say that the PS Audio DAC is not a typical warm sounding piece either.

Happy Listening.

These Clayton Class A amps are well worth a look and quite a lot of amp for the $$$.  All reviews of Clayton amps are stellar, and these may do just what you’re looking for without having to deal with tubes.  They don’t sell new amps anymore, but I believe the owner/designer still services them out of Missouri.  Best of luck.

https://tmraudio.com/fresh-arrivals/clayton-audio-m300-monoblock-power-amplifiers-pair/

I recently listened to Sonus Faber Speakers (Lillium) with Burmeister equipment. Absolutely astonishing imaging... literally behind the walls, to the ceiling and great depth behind the speakers. A true sonic spectacular. Of the high end Roland / Wilson camp. I cannot believe anyone would not be blown away by it. On the other hand, not remotely something I want in my house. Not musical and natural sounding. This is why auditioning is so important. You want to get equipment that takes you to the place you want to go.