2. amps-preamps
  3. 1447135849

looking for truly transparent affordable amp s

I'm looking for recommendations for amps in the 100 + watt area that are highly transparent, coming in under $2500 on the used market. I have 3 systems that include Meadowlark Audio Hot Rod Herons, BG Corp 520DX, and custom speakers similar to Legacy Focus using Eton drivers. The custom speakers are paired with a JAS Array 2.1 SET amp using 805 and 300B tubes. This is my reference for transparent sound. Source has ranged from a Consonance Droplet 5.0, to Modwright and Upgrade Co modded Oppo players (83SE), and a Cambridge Audio 851C (which I hope to have modded as well) all driving the amp direct. I don't like preamps. I'm looking for a similarly transparent amp to drive the BG Corp speakers and the Meadowlarks. I recently acquired a gainclone built with premium parts and love the sound; it's quite a clear window on the original performance. But it just doesn't have the power to drive any of the speakers to the levels I like to listen at so I'm looking for an amp capable of this level of transparency and detail, with sharply defined images. Any recommendations? I have Gamut on my short list. And may I ad that in the last few years I've had the following amps and none come close to the level of transparency I'm looking for:

Theta Intrepid (used to biamp)
bridged Pathos Classic One MK III
Wyred 4 Sound ST-500
Sim Audio I-5 LE
Consonance Calaf (tubed version)

Amps that had promise but didn't quite make it:

VAS Citation II EL34 monoblocks
Audio Zone integrated gainclone
Cambridge Audio 840W

Thanks in advance for your input
lcherepkai

Showing 2 responses by pbnaudio

pbnaudio's avatar
pbnaudio
1,614 posts
 
Liberty Audio B2B-100

SoundStage Review

Positive FeedBack Review

Bascom King Measurements of the B2b-100

From its maker

Good Listening

Peter
pbnaudio's avatar
pbnaudio
1,614 posts
 
Lyle,

The B2B-100 IMO sounds better if used as a mono block, not only do you get about 400WPC resulting in better MACRO Dynamics. Also, get more speed resulting in better micro dynamics. The good part is that you can always start with one settle in with that one, then get the second one later to step it up a notch. Going from Stereo to Mono is simply a matter of flicking a switch on the back and reconfigure the speaker wires.

Please note that if you want to use the B2B-100 as a mono bock it requires both nodes of the amp driven, i.e. a fully balanced preamplifier. Your OPPO have balanced outputs so it could be used for this application.

Good Listening

Peter
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