2. amps-preamps
  3. 1199661843

Rich; organic true balanced amp w good detail $6k

Suggestions welcomed & appreciated- here are the Criteria:

- fully balanced architecture
- rich, organic sound, extended bass, silky highs, but not at the expense of obscuring detail
- No OTL (too many tubes/heat)
- SS (Class A bias) or tubes OK
- 20-200 wpc ok, the lower the better though all things being equal- well built power supply crucial
- stereo amp easier to put on my Sistrum rack, but mono-bock architecture also considered if better performance
- $6k or less used would be ideal, but would consider up to $8k used if there are no world-beating contenders at the $5k-$6k used price point

Preamp is a modded Sonic Frontiers Line 3- extremely neutral, hence the desire for a richer-sounding amp to balance. High efficiency speakers from Coincident- large open concept room (main floor of house). Re: tubes, have used ARC VT-100 MKIII- good- airy w big soundstage, but meatier mids would be better. Also had Wyetech Topaz 20-watt SET, superb, if slightly lean in the mids (and not fully balanced, but shows you how powerful 20 watts can sound with a well-built power supply) For SS, am considering Pass XA.5 series (they now can run balanced from what I understand?); Clayton Audio M-200 (but unfortunately over the price-range).

Thanks in advance for any suggestions- I have an open mind, so bring it on!
sutts

Showing 1 response by dgarretson

dgarretson
2,614 posts
 
I went from an ARC VT130 to a BAT VK75SE. I later modded the BAT with V-Caps and a few other minor changes that significantly improved resolution, neutrality, dynamics, bass extension & control-- IMO putting the amp at par with a top OTL. There is no area of this modded amp that is not way over the top of the ARC VT series. The 75SE can be converted to a monoblock if desired. The amp has been in production for quite awhile, but with a lite rework it's pretty astonishing. And used examples are available below $5K.

I share Tvad's positive opinion of the Spletz autoformers. In my second system they do a nice job of marrying a 3wpc SET to Wilson Watt/Puppy-- a very difficult load. In the some configurations they can make a mid-powered tube amp sound like big monoblocks.
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