Ayre K5Xe/V5Xe heard it - loved it it is the one for me. Nothing else I have listened to sounded so right in my system. It's more than I ever wanted to spend, but it will be the last stop, I'm sure of that. If I have to compromise, I will check out the AX7e integrated. Haven't had a chance to audition the phono stage, but that is under consideration for the future. |
This is the ultimate amplifier AM AUDIO A - 80 Reference S2 MONOS
cost is about $8000 for the pair to me this is to much but is my dream amplifiers. I am actually in the process of upgrading my amp to either Bat VK-500 or Pass X 250 or Plinius SA-102, Bryston 14 bst, classe 301 cant decide but I'll figure it out. |
I don't know what my ultimate amp is since I have have not heard it yet. Very good answers above, I think most audiophiles could build an excellent system around any of the above mentioned amps. For many its the hunt not the kill (stopping means your finished), then some are very satisified where they are at. Enjoy the music! |
save your money and demo clayton audio!!!!! They are really that good!!! |
Forget about Pass labs X1000, Classe Omega,Mcintosh 1201, Rowland,Krell...Simaudio Moon Rock mono blocs currently selling for $50,000 the best money can buy.You have to hear them to believe them. Jm labs Grande Utopia + Moon Rock = Heaven |
Tenor HP 300,Gryphon antileon signature monos,Pass labs XA 160(200),Boulder 2010 or Fm acoustics 611 i can live which any of this hapily!Btw i own the Tenors! |
Obviously going senile when you find you have responded at least twice to the same thread. Perhaps a new thread on this very topic, if I can remember to post it... |
Krell 400cx. The last solid state amp I will ever need. |
Surprising to me that within a budget, no one has suggested Ayre. They are quite respected by several long timers in the industry who are known for their critical listening.
Sim Audio makes some verrry nice products.
I own a Pass, won't be my "last stop", but then I'm not even trying to kick my habit.
Some newer Pass amps have a pretty low input impedance, so you'll have less latitude in preamp choices. |
David, I have been reading your entries with interest.
I heard the Osiris ten years ago and lusted for them ever since. I am considering purchasing a pair soon. You have had some incredible gear. If you haven't tried the Stealth Indras yet, you should. You'll unload your Valhalla's in a
hurry. I would love to get a pair of Boulder's to mate with the Osiris but they rarely seem to come up for sale used (I guess that says something). What would be your second choice for the Osiris?
Bart |
Such as Memisis 18.4 monoblocks. Not inexpensive, but would qualify as in the Ultimate category. |
Symphonic Line, not much any better out there.
Compete well against all the best top ones available. |
Have to agree with David,
After listening to to a Boulder Pre/amp combo driving JMLabs utopia two weeks ago. It will eventually will be my final stop.
We all must have dreams.
Michael |
Nobody is pushing, Essentialaudio. It is a suggestion. The H2O Sig is free to try. I respect David, and value his opinion. I also know he likes to try new things. |
Then, write here, David. What have you to loose?
mylienho1@netzero.com
Vince |
Muralman1, with all due respect David's amplifier is light years ahead of the H2Os... He bought it to drive some massively inefficient speakers which he replaced, but nonetheless the amplifier does very well on his present ones as he indicates... |
Hi,
For now, I have the ARC REF3, with Valhalla cabling.
David |
David, what preamp, if any, are you using with your Boulder? If you have a great non passive preamp, and no funky wires, I suggest you borrow some H2O Sig monos from their builder for a listen. I think you will be pleasantly surprised. |
I went through Rowland 9Ti's, Pass 600's , Krell 750 Mcx's and have finally settled on a Boulder 2060 stereo amp. To my ears (and those are the most importanmt ones to me), the Boulder has it all. Power, subtlety, imaging , staging, etc. Of course, i'm sure that something else will come down the road, but til then, I''m very happy. Paired with a tube preamp, the ARC Ref3, I'm in heaven.
David Shapiro |
Krell FPB 300 cx. Have it for 3 years and never think about replacing it -- assuming I could even lift it again!
neal |
I have been delighted with my GamuT D-100 Mk.3 which in my system is very natural, nonfatiguing, dynamic,life like musical. I have plenty of power to listen at realistic volume levels. For those who need more power, GamuT makes more powerful amplifiers with the same wonderful design. It is the single high power, high current switching mosfet output device which makes all the difference = single voicing like my SET tube preamp. A french magazine says the GamuT has been rated one of the five best SS amps in the world. I had the Pass Aleph 5 before the GamuT which was extremely good in my system, but the GamuT is better. I have had the GamuT for 2 years and no desire to change even if somebody offered me $10,000 to do so! Well actually, I might buy the more powerful GamuT D-200 Mk.3 and spend the other $4000 on CDs! |
Just for fun, I'd like the new MAC 501 monoblocks.....Bobbaywalla is right though.....still we can have fun....on threads like this. |
anyone here who informs the others that XYZ is going to be his/her "last stop" for amps is not being very true!!! LOL!
I've heard that statement many times "oh, this amp/preamp/DAC/TT/power conditioner, etc, etc, etc is my last!" I turn around & look & what do I see, that fellow's got a new amp/preamp/DAC/TT/power conditioner, etc, etc, etc! Some new model came out, somebody put a bug in his/her ear about "really" trying this other unit & he/she just "had to have it"!
This audio Lkean & there is ALWAYS something out there that is better sounding &/or better looking than what you have & you will simply get the itch to have it in your system even if what you have is superb sounding!! :-)
Ach! sooooo many audio pieces out there to listen to & just 1 life.....
(also people hear differently so last stop for these various members might not be the last stop for you). |
Okay, I lied. I sold the Krell due to financial concerns and replaced it with a Classe Omicron. I can't imagine going back to Krell. Not that they are bad I just like the Classe better. Krell still makes a great product, I wonder what the evolution series sounds like?!?
I could and another Omicron for a lot less money... 1450wpc into my little Talons?!? Wow. |
Lamm... I wouldn't trade mine for any other SS amp that I'm aware of, regardless of price. If I'm building a system from scratch with an unlimited budget, Audio Note is in the mix... Kegon, Gaku-On, something. That's getting away from solid state though... if I have to stay SS, the Lamms stay. |
|
There is only one ulitmate amp.... despite what the 'haters' would have you believe.... Halcro dm58 (or dm68).
If you want to deal with real world budgets, then you should answer your own question yourself. if you want my response, then the answer is Halcro.
I have owned it for years... and have had to be without it as well. Anything else is a compromise. IMHO |
I thought I had my dream pair of McIntosh 1201's but since I am routinely moving beyond the 1200 watt ratings maybe its time for four 1201 monos to biamp the speakers.
Too much seems to be never enough. Part of the fun is there isn't an ultimate stop, yet.
|
I'm saving up for a used pair of Pass Labs X-600 monoblocs. It will be about a year or two before all of the dough comes together.
I'd also like to try a pair of the Krell 750 monoblocs, but they are way out of my price range. |
Nah Nrchy, you'll get the monoblocks before then... :-) |
I replaced my FPB 200 with the FPB 700cx. I can't beleive the difference. I certainly won't be looking for a new amp in the next five (or many more) years. For me this is the end of my amp search... |
Lamm 2.1, Edge NL12, Meridian 559 amps bridged.
Theta Citadels, Levinson 33H |
For me, I have been drooling for a long time over the Mark Levinson 33H's. They are pricey and heavy but the sound is to die for! Time to save up! |
Krell 400cx I've had for over a year will probably be the last stop for me. I would ultimately like to have the 700mcx monoblocks but they would be too cumbersome to move, take up too much space and burn too much juice for my needs. |
I am there already with my Theta Digital Enterprise monoblocks. The only upgrade that I could even fathom (and this would be some time down the road) would be to upgrade to Theta Digital Citadels.
Tom. |
|
Maybe I'll stop at the BAT 6200. |
Nothing beats a Bose acoustic 5. |
The Gryphon Antileon Signature Monos would be mine. |
I have the CAT JL2 + SL1 Ultimate and Klyne System 7 Line &
Phono.
My next stop it's The VIOLA LABS NEW SS AMPS/PRAMP.ex Staff of CELLO.
Thanks. |
Brown Electronics Lab (BEL) - Still the best SS amp I've ever heard. I prefer it to tubes so far as well. The problem is that tubes are very different in some ways. In any case, I've put these amps up agains serious competition and they've always been my preference. At only $3895 each they're a huge bargain.
Cheers! |
To my ears, the Jeff Rowland Model 12s. Althought they're expensive, they're worth every penny. Exquiste workmanship, even more beautiful music. They have best out the usual Pass, Levinson, and Krell in my system.
p.s. I have audition the newer 2 and 3 series and they're NOT an improvement over the 12s. Brighter but not better. |
tenor hp300 versus the halcro dm58 which one is better ? in what sense ? more dynamic , tranparent,natural ? value for money ? powerful in practice ,reliable ? built quality ? nicer shape ? |
Hey Y'all,
I believe I have the amp I'm going to spend a long time with, the Plinius SA-250MkIV. But, I would love to audition, in my system of course, the Clayton M-100, Edge ML-12, Boulder 2060 and the Tenor 300HP. The only problem is, if I take an irrepressible liking to one of them, how do I match up five channels for my home theater..........John |
Edge Reference monoblocks. 800 watts. High current. High voltage. High quality. High price. $75K.
FM Acoustics. Their big amps are reputedly quite excellent. They might also scratch that itch. Also high price. $50K on up.
- Mike (Edge dealer, amp addict - budget? what budget?) |
Krell Master Reference($100k),,,,,,,,,,,,,now where did I put my wallet! |
Halcro DM58, oh darn you did say within my budget I have a Mcintosh mc 352 I do beleive for what you pay retail $4500. Does it only sound 1/2 as good as a Pass x350 at $9000? which is a beautiful sound amp.David |
Zaikesman, in some way this question is very similar to "What would you do if you have a million dollars?". And I believe almost everyone have asked or been asked this question before. Why? First and foremost, I am curious. I am curious to learn which solid state power amp audiophiles here would consider their dream power amp that they believe they will be happy with for a while.
The reason for framing the question with a budget constraint so that we can get a more "down to earth" answer (instead of Halcro in every response). Plus, it might help a few of us who have never thought about this question to at least think about it. Do I learn anything from this thread? Yes, I have learned a few solid state amp that people would enjoy their music with for a long time when they have finally saved up their hard earned money. And I am very grateful of all the responses that I have gotten. Thanks! |
Please don't consider it a "flame" if I ask you: Why do you care what others think might be their "ultimate" amp? I never understand the motivation for questions like this one...What can possibly be learned by reading these (inevitably various) answers? |
Hey, Nrchy! Try Clayton's, and you will forget those Krell's. Unless you are related to D'Agostino's family! |
