I'm still running a Creek 4140 integrated in my system. I thought it would be easy to get something that sounds better given that it only cost $550 in 1989, but that has not been the case. I think the reason it sounds good from the perspective of timing and ability to convey tonal color is its simple circuit design. I've been lucky not to need a lot of power and I've found that more powerful amplifiers often sound off in timing and veiled to me. Recent amplifiers I've listened to in my system are:
There have been some amps that have sounded good to me. I think the common factor for most of what sounds good to me is simple circuit design. I think this simplicity helps in maintaining correct timing in music as well as ability to sound transparent and convey tonal color.
- PS Audio Stellar Strata integrated (class D): SQ feels artificial. Timing sounds off.
- Creek Evo 50: Sounds slow. Timing is off.
- Pathos Classic One: sound quality as well as the quality of the sound seems very close to the Creek. It's a bit smoother, but this difference was rendered moot by getting a new, smoother sounding DAC
There have been some amps that have sounded good to me. I think the common factor for most of what sounds good to me is simple circuit design. I think this simplicity helps in maintaining correct timing in music as well as ability to sound transparent and convey tonal color.
- The Sugden A21SE sounded quite good indeed. With its Class A design, I think it also has a simple circuit design.
- I've also got high hopes for a Belles Aria Integrated to sound better than my Creek. I was going to get one to try out, but a friend beat me to it. So I get to try it out in my system for free! The Belles also has a similar design philosophy of simplicity that seems to work well for my listening preferences.