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Thinking of buying a solid state amp

I will be moving soon, my BAT 150SE might not work in the new environment due to hotter weather and smaller listening room. My speakers (Aerial 20T) requires lots of power so I can't go BAT 75SE route, I have not found other tube amps physically smaller to sound anywhere as good as BAT either.

So I have two options. Buy a good solid state and sell my BAT. Usual suspects are Pass 350.5, Bryston 14B-SST, McIntosh 501, etc. Question is will I be happy with anyone of them coming from BAT?

My second option is to buy some class D like Bel Canto or Nuforce and keep my BAT to use during cooler days.

I will rather have 1 (or 1 pair) amp than 2, but will any of the above (other suggestions welcome) make a tube guy happy? In my 20+ years of audio journey, I have owned 10+ solid state amps but they never lasted over a couple months.

Pre amp is an Einstein.
semi

Showing 4 responses by semi

semi OP
649 posts
 
Hovland is definitely worth considering though not sure if they are in my price range.

As for Pass X350.5 or XA.5, I am aware of the heat they generate but they are still cooler than BAT 150SE. I did consider McCormack DNA500 initially, but read in forum Spectron and Pass are preferred by most.

I will try to borrow some Bel Canto or Nuforce before deciding on either.
semi OP
649 posts
 
Larry, you have a good point. The new location will be smaller but not significantly smaller to warrant a lower power amp. Heat is the major issue, ambient temperature there is in the 90+ degree 6 months out of a year with high humidity and the thought of turning on two big tube amps is daunting.

I like BAT tube sound, but from what I read Pass X.5 or XA.5 has an edge over BAT SS and that's why I am leaning toward Pass if I was to go SS only.

I have limited exposure to Rowland 501. Like what Guidocorona pointed out, my negative impression of Rowland 501 was probably due to break in time. I will give BC or NuForce a chance and this time around I will make sure they are fully broken in.
semi OP
649 posts
 
Axelwhahl, two of my friends own 350.5 and I didn't notice excessive amount of heat coming from the amp when I am there. maybe the open layout removed heat from listening room quite effectively, but I will for sure pay closer attention next time I am there. I used to own X350, it certainly did not raise the ambient temp as much as single BAT 75SE.

Madhf, that's what I am inclined to do. keep my BAT, buy a class D for the days I am not running AC full blown. but if I can find some SS that comes really close, I might make the switch.

Larryi, I considered Ayre and Dartzeel before. from what I read, both are not designed to drive difficult load even the MX-R. I owned Rowland 8Ti HC before, even the HC version was too "slow" sounding to my ears. smooth it was, but quite boring like you pointed out.
semi OP
649 posts
 
Guidocorona, thanks for the info on class-D. I haven't followed class-D development that closely since introduction, my impression from the short ownership with class-D was just like what you described, lack of harmonic texture and delicacy. I have heard lots of good words about Rowland 3XX amps, but I wonder how they compared to Pass X350.5 which can be had for much less.

Moemoney, I know exactly what you meant. I have always owned tube amps and buy SS from time to time to see how things have improved over time. but as recent as a couple years ago, I still found BAT to outgun $20K+ SS amp in midrange and up. I might very well take the same route as you do, buy an inexpensive SS to use in hot days.
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