My Long List of Amplifiers and My Personal Review of Each!


So I have been in a long journey looking to find the best amplifiers for my martin logan montis. As you know, the match between an amplifier and speakers has to be a good "marriage" and needs to be blend exquisitely. Right now, I think I might have found the best sounding amplifier for martin logan. I have gone through approximately 34-36 amplifiers in the past 12 months. Some of these are:

Bryston ST, SST, SST2 series
NAD M25
PARASOUND HALO
PARASOUND CLASSIC
KRELL TAS
KRELL KAV 500
KRELL CHORUS
ROTEL RMB 1095
CLASSE CT 5300
CLASSE CA 2200
CLASSE CA 5200
MCINTOSH MC 205
CARY AUDIO CINEMA 7
OUTLAW AUDIO 755
LEXICON RX7
PASS LABS XA 30.8
BUTLER AUDIO 5150
ATI SIGNATURE SERIES 6005

With all that said, the amplifiers I mentioned above are the ones that in my opinion are worth mentioning. To make a long story short, there is NO 5 CHANNEL POWER AMP that sounds as good as a 3ch and 2ch amplifier combination. i have done both experiments and the truth is that YOU DO lose details and more channel separation,etc when you select a 5 channel power amplifier of any manufacturer.
My recollection of what each amp sounded like is as follows:

ATI SIGNATURE SERIES 6005 (great power and amazing soundstage. Very low noise floor, BUT this amplifiers NEEDS TO BE cranked up in order to fully enjoy it. If you like listening at low volume levels or somewhat moderate, you are wasting your time here. This amp won’t sound any different than many other brands out there at this volume. The bass is great, good highs although they are a bit bright for my taste)

NAD M25 (very smooth, powerful, but somewhat thin sounding as far as bass goes)
Bryston sst2(detailed, good soundstage, good power, but can be a little forward with certain speakers which could make them ear fatiguing at loud volumes)

Krell (fast sounding, nice bass attack, nice highs, but some detail does get lost with certain speakers)

rotel (good amp for the money, but too bright in my opinion)

cary audio (good sound overall, very musical, but it didn’t have enough oomph)

parasound halo (good detail, great bass, but it still holds back some background detail that i can hear in others)

lexicon (very laid back and smooth. huge power, but if you like more detail or crisper highs, this amp will disappoint you)

McIntosh mc205 (probably the worst multichannel amp given its price point. it was too thin sounding, had detail but lacked bass.

butler audio (good amplifier. very warm and smooth sweet sounding. i think for the money, this is a better amp than the parasound a51)

pass labs (very VERY musical with excellent bass control. You can listen to this for hours and hours without getting ear fatigue. however, it DOES NOT do well in home theater applications if all you have is a 2 channel set up for movies. The midrange gets somewhat "muddy" or very weak sounding that you find yourself trying to turn it up.

classe audio (best amplifier for multi channel applications. i simply COULDNT FIND a better multi channel amplifier PERIOD. IT has amazing smoothness, amazing power and good bass control although i would say krell has much better bass control)

Update: The reviews above were done in January 2015. Below is my newest update as of October 2016:



PS AUDIO BHK 300 MONOBLOCKS: Amazing amps. Tons of detail and really amazing midrange. the bass is amazing too, but the one thing i will say is that those of you with speakers efficiency of 87db and below you will not have all the "loudness" that you may want from time to time. These amps go into protection mode when using a speaker such as the Salon, but only at very loud levels. Maybe 97db and above. If you don’t listen to extreme crazy levels, these amps will please you in every way.

Plinius Odeon 7 channel amp: This is THE BEST multichannel amp i have ever owned. Far , but FAR SUPERIOR to any other multichannel amp i have owned. In my opinion it destroyed all of the multichannel amps i mentioned above and below. The Odeon is an amp that is in a different tier group and it is in a league of its own. Amazing bass, treble and it made my center channel sound more articulate than ever before. The voices where never scrambled with the action scenes. It just separated everything very nicely.

Theta Dreadnaught D: Good detailed amp. Looks very elegant, has a pleasant sound, but i found it a tad too bright for my taste. I thought it was also somewhat "thin" sounding lacking body to the music. could be that it is because it is class d?

Krell Duo 300: Good amp. Nice and detailed with enough power to handle most speakers out there. I found that it does have a very nice "3d" sound through my electrostatics. Nothing to fault here on this amp.
Mark Levinson 532H: Great 2 channel amp. Lots of detail, amazing midrange which is what Mark Levinson is known for. It sounds very holographic and will please those of you looking for more detail and a better midrange. As far as bass, it is there, but it is not going to give you the slam of a pass labs 350.5 or JC1s for example. It is great for those that appreciate classical music, instrumental, etc, but not those of you who love tons of deep bass.

 It is articulate sounding too
Krell 7200: Plenty of detail and enough power for most people. i found that my rear speakers contained more information after installed this amp. One thing that i hated is that you must use xlr cables with this amp or else you lose most of its sound performance when using RCA’s.

Krell 402e: Great amp. Very powerful and will handle any speaker you wish. Power is incredible and with great detail. That said, i didn’t get all the bass that most reviewers mentioned. I thought it was "ok" in regards to bass. It was there, but it didn’t slam me to my listening chair.

Bryston 4B3: Good amp with a complete sound. I think this amp is more laid back than the SST2 version. I think those of you who found the SST2 version of this amp a little too forward with your speakers will definitely benefit from this amp’s warmth. Bryston has gone towards the "warm" side in my opinion with their new SST3 series. As always, they are built like tanks. I wouldn’t call this amp tube-like, but rather closer to what the classe audio delta 2 series sound like which is on the warm side of things.

Parasound JC1s: Good powerful amps. Amazing low end punch (far superior bass than the 402e). This amp is the amp that i consider complete from top to bottom in regards to sound. Nothing is lacking other than perhaps a nicer chassis. Parasound needs to rework their external appearance when they introduce new amps. This amp would sell much more if it had a revised external appearance because the sound is a great bang for the money. It made my 800 Nautilus scream and slam. Again, amazing low end punch.

Simaudio W7: Good detailed amp. This amp reminds me a lot of the Mark Levinson 532h. Great detail and very articulate. I think this amp will go well with bookshelves that are ported in order to compensate for what it lacks when it comes to the bass. That doesn’t mean it has no bass, but when it is no Parasound JC1 either.
Pass labs 350.5: Wow, where do i begin? maybe my first time around with the xa30.8 wasn’t as special as it was with this monster 350.5. It is just SPECTACULAR sounding with my electrostatics. The bass was THE BEST BASS i have ever heard from ANY amp period. The only amp that comes close would be the jC1s. It made me check my settings to make sure the bass was not boosted and kept making my jaw drop each time i heard it. It totally destroyed the krell 402e in every regard. The krell sounded too "flat" when compared to this amp. This amp had amazing mirange with great detail up top. In my opinion, this amp is the best bang for the money. i loved this amp so much that i ended up buying the amp that follows below.

Pass labs 250.8: What can i say here. This is THE BEST STEREO AMP i have ever heard. This amp destroys all the amps i have listed above today to include the pass labs 350.5. It is a refined 350.5 amp. It has more 3d sound which is something the 350.5 lacked. It has a level of detail that i really have never experienced before and the bass was amazing as well. I really thought it was the most complete power amplifier i have ever heard HANDS DOWN. To me, this is a benchmark of an amplifier. This is the amp that others should be judged by. NOTHING is lacking and right now it is the #1 amplifier that i have ever owned.

My current amps are Mcintosh MC601s: i decided to give these 601s a try and they don’t disappoint. They have great detail, HUGE soundstage, MASSIVE power and great midrange/highs. The bass is great, but it is no pass labs 250.8 or 350.5. As far as looks, these are the best looking amps i have ever owned. No contest there. i gotta be honest with you all, i never bought mcintosh monos before because i wasn’t really "wowed" by the mc452, but it could have been also because at that time i was using a processor as a preamp which i no longer do. Today, i own the Mcintosh C1100 2 chassis tube preamp which sounds unbelievable. All the amps i just described above have been amps that i auditioned with the C1100 as a preamp. The MC601s sound great without a doubt, but i will say that if you are looking for THE BEST sound for the money, these would not be it. However, Mcintosh remains UNMATCHED when it comes to looks and also resale value. Every other amp above depreciates much faster than Mcintosh.

That said, my future purchase (when i can find a steal of a deal) will be the Pass labs 350.8. I am tempted to make a preliminary statement which is that i feel this amp could be THE BEST stereo amp under 30k dollars. Again, i will be able to say more and confirm once i own it. I hope this update can help you all in your buying decisions!


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Showing 50 responses by maplegrovemusic

whitecamaross

You mentioned somewhere in one of your posts a second set of speakers ? Are you using both sets of speakers for these trials ? Are these impressions of the amps for just with ML or both ? One might not get the same results once different speakers are introduced . Different pre's /processors will affect the way a amp sounds as well . Lots of variables to put a blanket statement on a amps qualities .
whitecamaross 
I thought your ml have powered bass ? Is it the mids and highs these amps are running . Or is my memory of reading about your speakers fogged ?
whitecamaross

We are living vicariously through you . The takeaway should be these findings are with your system . Other’s purchasing decisions should not necessarily be finalized on your findings . Keep it going .
Going to the dark side with class D ? Look forward to these reviews ! Put Exogal Comet/Ion on the list to audition please .
1 for sure is Audioquest . The other two sound similar and kinda flat sounding . Especially the highs
Unfortunately no . I bought a step up converter for a Silvaweld preamp years ago though . From my research it did not have to be expensive . Are there audiophile converters ? probably not . Almarg probably will have a good suggestion .
Check out Douglas Shroeders review on Dagogo of the Exogal  . As a point of reference i drive Electrostats with it . King Sound ks17 . The ion amp is stable down to 2ohms .
whitecamarros . Before you shell out those big bucks there is another system you should look into . The Exogal /ion  dac/amp combo . Retail under 8k . They have  streamers coming to market either as i type or very soon . They will also have a more powerful amp coming this year .
Don't all revels have a even frequency response ? Flat bass . How is Monitor Audio in that regard ? Sounds like you like da bass . Get rid of the Revels man . 
whitecamaross - It would be interesting to throw in some lesser priced amps for a litmus test . Im talking way less priced . Curious minds want to know . In a lesser price range just think of the fun you could have . 10x more amps to evaluate . No worry about reselling at a loss . You might find a real sleeper that beats these mega buck amps .
I put forth the less expensive amp comparison for the reason he could put the extra money he might save into the Martin Logan Neoliths he's spoken about wanting but financially not ready for yet . My experience is speakers have the most profound improvement with the room coming close second . 
"One thing i wanted to mention to you guys that aren't too familiar with the black system is that the black system is 100% digital. It does not use xlr or rca connections between its dac/preamp and the amps. It uses ST FIBER OPTIC cables so the entire signal from the preamp/dac to the amps stays in the digital domain. "

This is where the Blacks universal sound quality from bad to good recordings is coming from . There are two other manufacturers that I know of that are doing this . Lyngdorf and Exogal . 
Yes the detail is intoxicating . I get transfixed on how lifelike my system is . Hard to let the mind wander when listening . Each pluck of a guitar string or whatever instrument is playing makes me just think wow ! But I will take that over something less lifelike . 
Here ya go . Under budget . Put the saved money towards the Neoliths ! Crown XLS2502 Bridged monos . Around $1500 new 

Number of Channels: 2
Power Class: Class D
Watts/Side @ 8 ohms: 440W
Watts/Side @ 4 ohms: 775W
Watts/Side @ 2 ohms: 1200W
Watts Bridged: 2400W @ 4 ohms, 1550W @ 8 ohms
Inputs: 2 x XLR, 1 x stereo RCA, 2 x 1/4"
Outputs: 2 x speakON, 2 x Binding Posts
Cooling System: Efficient Forced-air Fans
DSP: Yes
Filters: Yes
Rack Spaces: 2U
Height: 3.5"
Depth:

Excellent ! Hope you can find a amp in that price range that works for you . Really want you to get the Neoliths and review them !
"I was surprised you let the 925s go, as you indicated, they were the best you ever had. Enjoy ! MrD."

That is the standard "hyping up of the item " before he puts them up for sale . LOL . Joking in a kind way !
The Gryphon looks like it should have wheels and clean your carpet like a Roomba 
Get the Neoliths !!!!!!      
The room the Neoliths were in last RMAF was not terribly big . If those room dimensions are obtainable that will tell you if they will work in your room. That rig with the Audio Research gear and Neoliths literally made my eyes leak . Crazy intensity from the realism of those Neoliths . If you get them and want to sell I would be a potential buyer !
Whitecamaros - Listen to Bela Fleck - The secret drawer   Crank the volume !! I am sure I did not need to tell you that though !
whitecamaross hasn't checked back in since before the weekends setup of the Vivid speakers- Is this good or bad ?
Whitecamaross - Knowing you like stats ,I have a stat for you . King Sound KS17 . One year old , current model .Looking to sell my pair . I know its not the household brand you like to buy and sell usually , but I think the price I am willing to Let them go at you would be safe . P.M if interested .
What differentiates mid fi from hifi in regards to amps ?  You either have enough power or you don't to drive speakers ?
Those who mentioned Symphonic , Are the Odyssey amps clones ? I recall seeing symphonic on Oddyesseys web page . He might be a dealer for them ? Would this be a cheaper Symphonic ?
Thanks,mike.
Anyone here know the size of the demo room for the Neoliths at the last RMAF ? That room was not huge and great sound was had .

viber6 - I have the newest Kingsound KS17 . I am looking to sell . Told wc he should think about them . There are 18'' wide . 
 
I also own the first generation King - King . Need to sell the ks17 for financial reasons .
Whitecamarros - I am curious if you have ever been to a show ? Also wonder what other speakers you lust for that you have yet to have at home ? 
mikepaul - Whitecamaross contemplated the Paradigm Persona. Hopefully he will get to them . Great detail and imaging like stat speakers. Very impressed as I have owned stats for the last 10 years . The demo ar RMAF 2017 was terrific.
Theres a pair of KingSound KS-17 electrostatic for sale here on Audiogon right now for a great price ! Just sayin .
If it is indeed the Neolith , I am afraid the speaker portion of wc's journey will come to an end .
If you go the scientific route to setting up your system with measurements and eq you will undoubtedly not need to spend 50k on amplification . 
As  longtime electrostat owner my experience is the 100 watt exogal ion digital amplifier drives my King Sound speakers to 90 db without distortion . Room is 20x17 vaulted ceiling to 10'  I have tried Krell cx series amps and much preffered the 100 watt Ion . No desire hear to chase large watt amplifiers any longer .
WC - Now can you come to a realization that more money does not mean better sound ? Please say yes !
This opens up hundreds more amps in the 3k range . Lets go crazy lets get nuts . 5 amps at a time now.
The next technology for strictly digital use is the digital amps , not class d. Exogal and Lyndorf are two I am aware of . Glowing reviews for both makers . Something just right with their sound .
How much does WC owe for the therapy session above ? . Is he a lesser audiophile for trucking through gear ? I say no he is not . Enjoy the ride WC 
Wc - What can we look forward to you trying in the near future ? Any new preamps , source , room treatments , Tweaks ?
You may have stated your playlist in the past , what are your go to tracks for demoing ?
Makes sense if one tube just bit the dust , they have been affecting the sound in a negative way . A new pair of winged c's might out perform the still in operating condition stock tubes.
Those Monitor Audio look impressive ! Bet they can move a lot of air .
WC - Can you rank in order your favorite speakers , Of course the Neoliths are number one !
A picture tells a thousand words . Great to get the visual stimulation . Hope you will continue to add pictures as new gear comes in . 

Have you ever tried a passive preamp WC ? If you have not you definitely need to try one .