I recommend Plinius solid state 200 watt amps, e.g., SA-100, mk3, SA-102 or SA-103. These amps can play both class A and Class A/B. Class A the amp plays hotter, which is not unusual for class A. Class A sound is simply a class above A/B. 30 reviews of the mk3 at audivoreview.com and the average score: 4.9 out of 5.0. I have matched it with Pass Labs and McIntosh solid state preamps and got an excellent presentation and this amp also matched well with the Hovland tube preamp HP-100. Recent amps of this vintage can be picked up on ebay for approximately $2K and around that price point at Audiogon and other outlets.
Solid state amp to go with tube preamp; used ok; budget: $3k max
I may have posed a similar question like this a while back, but I'm curious to get any updated thinking from folks, older or newer.
Situation: I have a Quicksilver Line Stage preamp and 60w monoblocks. I'm happy with them. I'd like to have a solid state amp to swap in for the monoblocks from time to time (weather, variety).
Typical desiderata in the amp are, as you'd expect, great grip on bass and pacing, smooth highs, good presence in mids, as wide and deep a soundstage as possible.
I tried Atoll 120wpc integrated (bypassing the preamp), Van Alstine SET 400, and my old Adcom 535L. None did the above to my satisfaction --problem mainly with mid, treble and with soundstage depth.
I've heard that stepping up the quality could bring something to the table, and to look out for Hegel, Ayre, Pass. Open to any topology. My speakers are 87 db, 8 ohm, and are driven just fine by 60w tube or solid state.
Specific recommendations for brands and models are welcome. I'm willing to buy, try, and re-sell if there's a good chance I'll want to keep it.
I'm going to be watching for things on used sites. Again, for this I'm setting an upper limit of $3k but am hopeful I could do fine with much less.
Situation: I have a Quicksilver Line Stage preamp and 60w monoblocks. I'm happy with them. I'd like to have a solid state amp to swap in for the monoblocks from time to time (weather, variety).
Typical desiderata in the amp are, as you'd expect, great grip on bass and pacing, smooth highs, good presence in mids, as wide and deep a soundstage as possible.
I tried Atoll 120wpc integrated (bypassing the preamp), Van Alstine SET 400, and my old Adcom 535L. None did the above to my satisfaction --problem mainly with mid, treble and with soundstage depth.
I've heard that stepping up the quality could bring something to the table, and to look out for Hegel, Ayre, Pass. Open to any topology. My speakers are 87 db, 8 ohm, and are driven just fine by 60w tube or solid state.
Specific recommendations for brands and models are welcome. I'm willing to buy, try, and re-sell if there's a good chance I'll want to keep it.
I'm going to be watching for things on used sites. Again, for this I'm setting an upper limit of $3k but am hopeful I could do fine with much less.
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- 108 posts total
Greetings Hilde, I bet the Rockies are beautiful right now. I’ve followed you since your previous thread and your trial of the VanAlstine. So here’s my random thoughts. First having single ended output is definitely a consideration. If you purchase a used Bryston 3 B and go to the latest version your budget will allow. They are single - balanced switchable. I’m very curious about the Benchmark. However it is balanced only. But I recommend that you contact RVpiano and get his thoughts. He has a restored CJ pre and went to the Benchmark and used the Cardas adapters. He spins higher quality vinyl and last we talked a Schiit Gumby DAC. He was contemplating the Benchmark pre, I believe it’s a Dac combo. I’ve had conversation with him and even loaned him some nos Telefunken, Seimens and RCA tubes to try in his CJ. He’s a real gentleman and I’ve appreciated his input as we run similar tubes, cables and single ended tube pre’s. Unfortunately I’m in the same position as you and the $5K range amps are not in my immediate future. I love Schiit gear but check and see if there is a restocking fee. The Benchmark can be had risk free and you rarely see them for sale used and they are priced near new. That must mean something. Happy Hunting and enjoy that snow you’ll be getting next week. Best of health, Mike B. |
Hello hilde45, Based on the enthusiastic comments of boomerbillone on a classD thread comparing to purfi, (and bought a 2nd) I purchased the Starke Sound AD4.3.2 a few months ago and I'm glad I did. https://youtu.be/dBxsKD_x018 This amplifier just makes "music" and has made me stop looking, I'm completely satisfied. It constantly draws me into the music even when I'm busy doing other things most noticed with drums, cymbals, triangles, vocal inflections (too many to list). There's no emphasis of any of the frequencies and the upper frequencies are so pristine and real-sounding it's often said you will know it when you hear it. My memory compares it to a couple of 150 watt Class A monoblocks I owned many moons ago built by a local diy member of our local PNW Audio Society. I realized after a year (purely analog) I could not leave them constantly on (my preference with gear) due to the unjustifiable power bills so they started sitting unused except for extended critical listening. I started looking for an acceptable alternative, tried many but nothing really compared until this amp. Although I never tried those Class A beasts with my current demanding load (2 ohm) to know if they could drive them, I suspect not, I've had to constantly replace a regulator on one of them after spirited listening, this amp has been on 24/7 for the last few months fed by a synergistic research Tesla powercell 10 SE (with the 32 amp neutrik powercon connector) and WW silver Electra 7 with upgraded connectors driving a pair of 1.6 QRs and biwired Legacy Signature 3s in parallel! configured in bridged mode! This seems to be close to a demanding load as I've ever put an amp through, the only other amps I've put through this are my Soundstream DA1 (reportedly a Krell design) and Crown xti 2002. While both handled the load well, this amp is more engaging by a mile with no hardness or grain, to my ears. I include some details of my chain so you can do some extrapolating as to which might be contributing what - it's currently all digital playing mostly Qobuz and infrequently Tidal via reclocked EtherRegen to DCS Network Bridge and Acoustic Revive active spdif coax for music, Node2 for TV and sometimes music via toslink both into a Mojo Mystique V3 to an iFi iTube2 in zero gain mode. This amp simply reveals the character of those sources impeccably while delivering engaging and musically satisfying experiences with both. I hope you research and consider auditioning this amp for yourself, please disregard the real world pricing and lack of bling, It just may be what you're looking for. I'm sure you'll know it once you hear it. I also heard some, but minimal, break-in from new. It could be due to the Class D efficiency and use of smaller electrolytics but that's just a guess as to why. Best of luck on your search! |
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