There is a massive amount that can be achieved with $25k, limiting it as a spend on an Amp' only, is parting with a substantial amount of 'Mark Up' for somebody.
One will get many short lived friendships fast making such intentions known publicly.
$5K will discover an exceptional Amp' , the task will require footwork.
Footwork can introduce one to individuals who become friends that develop into ling time sharing of an interest,
I suggest trying to learn if a Neurochome Power Amp' can be used for a demonstration, the most bespoke built, will still leave $22K in the coffers.
FTR, I have heard Neurochrome in A/B Comparison to $50K Soulution Amplification, using a System inclusive of the Soulution Amplification that has a value of approx' £200K. No real winner between the Two Amp's was to be easily identified, if it were a contest.
Soulution as an Amplification can easily be added to your shortlist if in there were models produced to suit your price range.
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Best SS amps I heard, used and would recommend:
1) FM Acoustics
2) Harmon Kardon XX
3) HK Citation 16 modified
4) Spectrum (Spectral) what ever the spelling is - modified
Happy Listening.
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I love my BHK 300s.. Fast , accurate and just breathe so much life into the music. Be aware they are not entirely solid state as they have a tube section. PS support is top notch
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I have a Cary Audio SLP-05 preamp with Sonus Faber Serafino speakers. I had a pair of Primaluna Dialogue 7 tube amps. Changed to Musical Fidelity M8-700M mono blocks. Can't imagine anything sounding better. The Musical Fidelity amps are fully balanced, differential reference, 700wpc into 8 ohms, 1300 into 4 ohms. System sounds incredible.
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Bricasti Design. They are the most accurately musical amps I have ever heard, and I have listened to others at 10x the price.
Do not let the power specs fool you as they are extremely underrated. (After a discussion with owner Mr. Zolner he mentioned that at full published power output, the amps are only outputting 25% of their possible output which explains their extremely low distortion figures.) I have never heard (with the exception of Boulder) a more effortless presentation. They would make any hard to drive speaker sing!
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Here’s my $0.02…
I would listen to Audio Research (like the 160S) and Moon by Simaudio 861 in addition to your list.
I’ve own McIntosh and loved it and when it was time to upgrade was impressed with Audio Research for its transparency and drive and went with Moon because I preferred the sound to McIntosh and SS to tube. Enjoy the process!
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@sgordoxyz
I did not mean to insult, I just wanted to say that with the 300’s, you a SS amp who’s sound you can tweek by rolling the input.
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I have these speakers and have used McIntosh MC611, Naim NAP 300, and Chord Ultima 6. The Ultima 6 was far superior. McIntosh too bloated in the bass, Naim was good, but the Chord was mind blowing.
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I rarely see folks in the US mention YBA gear, but years ago I sold it an audio shop and always felt very confident recommending it, especially with Focal speakers. We sold quite a few setups with that combination. It has a lively, sweet tube-like sound.
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You could consider the Hegel h30a. A serious powerhouse.
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This speakers does dip to a 3.1 ohm load. Perhaps keep that in mind when deciding.
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Well, I wish I had your budget (LOL) but seriously, the new Luxman (M10x?) would come to mind but the there are some other intriguing amps that have just come out:BAT Rex 300 and the Parasound JCM 250. These 3 are on my short list.
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A lot of great choices being recommended. I own Boulder and would recommend the 1160 amp or a used 2060.
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Jeff Rowland and Plinius come to mind
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sgordoxyz
++1 for CODA amplifiers. I own the S5.5 (50wpc Class A, 100 amp current), and it's a brilliant amplifier......the best solid state amplifier I've ever owned. I realize that 50wpc may not be enough for your wishes, so you could consider the new CODA System 150. It's a 2 box design, 100wpc class A or 150wpc A/B, north of 100 amps current. It's CDOA's "cost no object" system, and retails for $27,000 for both boxes.
Doug Dale (CODA owner) feels it's the best amp they've ever designed, and it should be for sale by August. I am not sure where you live, but Destination Hi-Fi in L.A. should have demo units in the next month.....then some other dealers like Audio Archon in Chicago following that.
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Don't guess. Join the Orchard Audio StarKrimson Ultra Stereo V2 tour. Hear it in your system for the price of shipping and a small review. Check their website to participate. It knocked my tube and class A amps out of the system.
Thanks,
aldnorab
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I have the PS audio BHK 250 and a Pass Labs X 250.5 the biggest thing for me is the SERVICE AFTER the sale both of these companies STAND behind what they sell period. I have communicated with Paul and his son Scott on many occasions as well as most of their staff they are always very professional they truly care about your experience. In general, I think Accuphase is overpriced in the US market.
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you should audition an Ayre product.......very neutral and high end gear
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Looking at the impedance curve that @hilde45 posted tells us you need an amp that can handle impedances that dip below 3 ohms. So, make sure any amp you look at produces enough CURRENT to handle that load. Don't worry too much about watts since the Focal is fairly sensitive and will play loudly with minimal watts.
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The new AGD Solo LE amps! Their amps can be upgraded as the technology improves.
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Stringamp
UAD220
2×220W rms 8 Ohm, 2x 400W i 4 Ohm, all power is continuous rms measured at 0.01% thd+N.
Are made to last a long time.
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2×220W rms 8 Ohm, 2x 400W i 4 Ohm, all power is continuous rms measured at 0.01% thd+N.
@gryphongryph This won't matter if distortion rises with frequency. It will cause harmonics in the region above the turnover frequency to be audible as harshness and brightness.
Put another way, THD is not going to be all that important if distortion does not rise with frequency. FWIW, 99% of all solid state amps ever made have a problem with this.
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New Zealand based Plinius SA 102 amp makes my Canton Ref 3K speakers really sing. Class A and A/B switchable output at 140WPC 8 Ohms
Perfect match for these speakers.
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