PS Audio BHK 300 mono VS Modwright KWA 150SE mono VS D'agostino Classic stereo


What would you consider the best option of these 3 to build a reference level system.
Any experience with these amps would be appreciated.
I'm also considering higher end gear but if budget does not allow i will stick to these 3 options.

Thieliste
thieliste

Showing 3 responses by scar972

I've always considered Pass Lab to be one of the best solid state amp designer in the industry, having owned and listened to many of their XA and X models, I'd have to say the D'Agostino is on the same level. Never had extensive experience with any of the other amps mentioned beside listening at RMAF so I won't compare.
For a high powered amp it is very musical, it is on the warm side of neutral but not as warm as the Vac Phi 200 I previously owned and closer to the modified Audio Valve Challenger I still own using KT120.
Bass is tight and powerful when the music calls for it but with most material it is well textured and doesn't reveal itself as a high power amp. Never heard any hardening of the highs as the Absolute Sound review suggests, but how can they say an amp at this price is complete when there are so many much more expensive including other models from D'Agostino. Soundstage is noticeably deep, the width is consistent with other SS amp I've heard. Detail is excellent!
Overall, it is musical, refined, and and I'm a happy owner. This amp does require an extended warm up time similar to tubes especially if you don't listen often like I do.
For preamp, I would go VAC just because I'm currently using a tube pre and it's working for me.

thielist...thinking about it again, I highly recommend that you decide on one component at a time. There's no need to decide on a preamp now or anything else for that matter. We all hear differently and enjoy a different sound since recreating the original event is impossible, go for the sound that you like. I see this clearly amongst my group of audiophile friends, we all have invested quite a bit in our system and they all sound different. Once you have decided on an amp, you will have a better idea of what flavor you want more of. If the system is dark add a fast solid state pre, if it's too analytical add a warm tube pre, after that you can fine tune more by tube rolling and with cables to achieve the sound you want. Recommendations and reviews can only give an idea of what a component sounds like, your room will play a major role in the outcome, so focus on one piece at a time, you'll be happier at the end.