^^ :) so you are saying you can tell how an amplifier sounds from its specs? Like many analogies there is a certain point where it falls apart.
I find that if anything, there is an inverse relationship with THD (higher will likely sound better) a positive relationship with IM (lower will sound better) and wider bandwidth is usually good. But even knowing that I still can't predict how it will sound. |
Of course not. As you say, and as I've also stated, specs are an indication of potential. What I meant was that sometimes the specs are not window dressing. Lots of horrible sounding amps have great specs but great sounding amps also always have great specs. But the point I was trying to make clear is that truly great sounding amps that happen to be ss are not as rare as you might think. |
Just a quick update for anyone who has been following...
I have secured a deal on a Musical Fidelity A308 integrated amplifier for $1300 CDN. That model dates back to 2003 (I think ?) but it was manufactured in Great Britain before MF moved the bulk of their manufacturing operations to Asia. It is a dual mono design with 150 watts/ch and gets many good reviews and is said to be very "musical". I look forward to picking it up next week!
Also, I have secured a deal on a beautiful pair of Monitor Audio Gold GX300's. I probably should have opted for the GX200's because of their easier room placement but we'll see how it all works out. Very excited! :) |
+1 Csontos
There are quite a few "great" sounding SS amps, now, and, as far back as the late 70's! |
I have been following and hope the best regarding your purchases. |
AVA 450 Synergy amp sounds like a 120 watt Sylvania 6550 amp if there were such a thing |
There are quite a few "great" sounding SS amps, now, and, as far back as the late 70's! One of those was the H/K Citation 16. If you found one though, expect to get the filter caps replaced. |
I just sent a pair of those in mono to Hong Kong. Very happy customer. |
Pontifex,Hope all goes well and they sound Great together!!! Keep us in the loop. |
I used to have an A308 integrated. It was an excellent amp. I hope you enjoy it.
Arsh |
It will still be yet another week or so but I'm very excited to finally introduce myself to the Musical Fidelity brand. If I enjoy their sound signature I could see myself moving up to the M6 series. I want to simplify my rig a bit more and get a CD player with a good DAC rather than use a separate one. So the M6 CD player is also on my radar. |
"05-03-15: Pontifex
It will still be yet another week or so but I'm very excited to finally introduce myself to the Musical Fidelity brand. If I enjoy their sound signature I could see myself moving up to the M6 series. I want to simplify my rig a bit more and get a CD player with a good DAC rather than use a separate one. So the M6 CD player is also on my radar."
You need to be careful. The piece you bought was from when MF made they're stuff in the UK. The M6 is some of the newer gear made in Taiwan. It doesn't sound anything like what you just bought. Completely different. |
Yes, that's right. An excellent point. From what I understand they still manufacture their higher models in the UK still. Anyway that's very distant on my "radar" I shouldn't really entertain that notion until I have had a good amount of time to listen to the A308 and the GX300's. |
That must be the A-308 I noticed on CAM just before you announced you found one? Don't you just love it when a plan comes together! |
Quite likely! The seller is a gentleman in Southern Ontario. It's like it was waiting there for me! ;) |
Sorry for the wait but I have finally picked up the A308 and the GX 300's.
The A308 integrated is a wonderful amp! In a nutshell, it is more on the neutral side of the spectrum but it is very musical. After a 15 to 20 minute warm up it really comes to life.
Compared to the NAD C355BEE it is much more dynamic and unstrained. The sound doesn't come apart at higher intensities and volumes. The bass is also much tighter and controlled. Very solid build quality. Produces a lot more heat than the NAD.
The preamp section is excellent but I still prefer my Bryston BP25 preamp as I find it to be more dynamic, articulated and a lower noise floor. However, I do find the A308's phono stage to be warmer and more musical than the BP25's phono stage. That makes my turntable very happy! :)
The GX 300's are also fantastic speakers. Compared to the Silver RX6's they have more natural sounding highs, very clear mids and deeper bass extension. Superior sound stage as well. Overall more refined sound. Lot's of finesse! Oh... and did I mention how purdy they are? Terrific craftsmanship that makes for some pleasant eye candy for any hi-fi enthusiast!
The only glaring issue is my room size and speaker placement. For the time being I only have a 10 x 12 bedroom to work with. The GX 200's would probably have been a better option. The speakers are off center and approximately 1 foot from the wall. My equipment is somewhat stacked up in between the speakers, my head is right up against the rear wall and there is a queen sized mattress between me and the speakers.
For a bedroom music system it seriously rocks but for a proper hi-fi setup there is much room for improvement. I'm in the process of negotiating some space in the living room but it is plagued with animals and toddlers.
Thanks to everyone who has been following and contributing to the thread! :) |
|
Cary cad 200 tube like warm sounding amplifier. |
The journey continues...
I have purchased a Threshold T400 power amp. Like the MF A308 it is a dual mono design but the Threshold is pure Class A, as most of you probably know already.
It will be arriving at my house tomorrow and I am looking forward to comparing it to the A308. The A308 is an excellent, musical sounding piece though it is not "warm" and lush sounding like the Pass Labs amps I auditioned a few weeks ago. Threshold was suggested earlier in this thread and I figured I would sieze the opportunity once I found one at a reasonable price.
Stay tuned for more! |
maintenance factor for tubes? what is that? they last for a damn long time. |
I was pleasantly surprised by an Audia Flight FL3 integrated. Held up nicely comparing back to back with modern tube gear at the local store. Can be found heavily discounted on demo at a few stores. Might be worth a listen and a google. |
I would say stick to tubes. However, this reminds me of a funny thread once where someone asked tube lovers that if a gun were held to their head and they had to listen to a solid state amp, the overwhelming choice was Naim. My brother has one, and it does sound pretty good. I would give them a try if you just have to have solid state. |
My modwright kwi 200 has some nice warmth to it... |
I find my modwright kwi 200 has a nice warmth to it....
There is a nice pass class 30 watter here/could take some solvent to try and remove the goo that's around power light.
(The things people do?) |
Nice pass class a thirty here...For the life of me I don't know why people do what he did???...anyway's I digress...I find my modwright kwi 200 has nice warmth to it. |
I changed my mind. Earlier I posted that the Bedini BA-801 is the most tube-like amplifier I've ever heard.
Nope, not anymore. My recently acquired Audio Research 100.2 takes the prize. Not even close, the 100.2 exudes warm bass, vivid vocals, and sweet highs. Nothing soggy, bloated or ill-defined, it just has a lot of that tube magic. I'm keeping the Bedini because it's good, real good. But the ARC 100.2 surpasses it in every way. No wonder they're in such demand! |
Before considerations of "warm", what about things you are sensitive to in a negative sense? SS amps with low measured THD but relatively high levels of odd order harmonics? Hate them.
Tube amps with sloggy, lazy, rotten tomato being hit by a mallet bass? Hate them.
Also any amp that has colorations in one band but not another? Hate them too.
So outside of frightfully expensive tubes - they are out for me (in amps, not pre-amps or DACs). Retubing amps with any sort of top shelf tube gets very expensive as well.
So, first wipe that type of thing off of your list (things you don't liek). Are you keeping your speakers a long time? Good. What do others say works well with them - good way to start a listening list.
Warm? Class A, Class A->AB, fets - I think most of your warm amps that are not tubes will be found to have one or more of these traits. My amp is a Pass X-150, got the A->AB and the right sort of transistors. Clean, fast, of one piece from top to bottom, depth, accurate with a bit of sweetness, lots of current, will drive ML's, Maggies, even Duettas. I found mine, hopefully you'll find yours.
|
A bit of a long overdue update on this discussion.
I definitely didn't realize the can of worms that I was about to open before I began the discussion but it has been highly enlightening.
Earlier in the thread I accused Bryston amps of sounding too neutral and sterile and I wanted something different. Among the Bryston amps I own and have owned are the 7B ST's, 7B THX's, 7B SST2's, 4B THX and some old 4B pros.
I bought a Threshold T-400 in the summer of 2015. When it first arrived at my door I had to send it out for repairs immediately. The repairs were done by an independent tech and the repairs were seemingly successful. The sound was sweet and smooth but the only thing about it that was "warm" was the unit itself. Because of it's 300 watt idling current the damn thing is like a small furnace. Not very ideal in the summer time and also a drag on the electric bills. Listening sessions would be cut short due to the excessive temperature build up in my 2nd floor listening room.
I finally had enough and I pulled the trigger last week on a Bryston 4B THX. Having previously owned a pair of 7B THX's I was very certain of what I was getting myself into. The day after I had committed myself to the 4B THX my friend Murphy paid me a random visit. He's a lawyer and whenever he shows up, things seem to go sideways. In this case the right channel of my Threshold started to distort significantly. After a quick round of trouble shooting it was obvious that it needed to go back to the shop - Again. And this time, to a different shop.
The Threshold is still in the shop but I will wait to "Pass" my final judgement until it has a clean bill of health from my new tech. The T-400 is a highly esteemed amp with somewhat of a cult status to it. Many describe it as one of Nelson's best sounding amps. I found it to be sweet and smooth but even with silver speaker wire (Audioquest Comet) the midrange seemed a little too laid back and the bass always seemed shy or muted through my Monitor Audio Gold GX 300's. Until I plugged in the 4B THX I wasn't really sure if those issues were because of the speakers or the amp.
The 4B THX brought my system to life again. The bass had the weight, depth and control that you can expect from a Bryston amp. The midrange had a forward sounding presence. The soundstage was big and wide and overall very dynamic. I had to change the speaker wire to my Audioquest CV-8 (all copper) to get the right balance but overall I found the Bryston to offer a more musical experience.
I will be fair and re-audition the Threshold once again after it comes back from the shop but it is very likely that the Bryston will stay in my system!
|
I would have a serious look at channel Island amplifiers, I have there small mono block amps which sadly are no longer available paired with a good tube pre there amps are amazing.The mid range is incredible and I will not be letting them go.Check them out used or new you will have to spend thousands more to get better sound.No I do not work for them it's all in the ears
|
Audio Refinement electronics. No longer manufacturered, but can be had on the second hand market if you are patient. |
