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@hickamore Copy the text, use " button, paste text.
Do you have a benchmark A-A/B amp/s for bass? What amp combination are you using now?
What is not feasible about Aric gear?
Tube amps under $7500
Ready to experiment with combinations never before (or not recently) tried. Step one requires a tube amp. Now looking at Prima Luna EVO 400 which sells for 5K. Any other tube amps I should consider in this price/feature range? Must come in silver with balanced input. For pairing experimentally with various tube and SS preamps. Efficient 4 ohm Legacy speakers (and the room/setup) are the constants.
@hickamore Copy the text, use " button, paste text. Do you have a benchmark A-A/B amp/s for bass? What amp combination are you using now? What is not feasible about Aric gear? |
@hickamore I had a pair of Legacy Focus paired with a ModWright amp. Always smooth, natural, transparent, detailed, excellent bass control. I had previously sold all my tube gear. As good as the ModWright was I wanted some of that tube warmth back. I found the ModWright neutral, but warmer than ARC tube amps when I tried that route. I ended up being happy with a 6L6 tube Air Tight amp although I wouldn't characterize it as particularly warm or romantic. What I really wanted in the end was different speakers. I still enjoy the Air Tight, but wanted to experiment with options for my current speakers. I was considering a ModWright hybrid integrated, which fits all your requirements except being a tube amp! Seems like you are pretty averse to tube maintenance though. I think I would have enjoyed the ModWright, but ended up with another hybrid integrated that doesn't meet your aesthetic. Only pre section tubes, but very smooth, pure, natural sound as I expect from a good tube amp. Maybe a good hybrid could get you best of both worlds. If you want romantic sound and mention taking advantage of speaker efficiency, why not something lowerer powered? Maybe not single digit, but 20-30 watt range. Something like Allnic used could fit the bill and check all your boxes if you're willing to wait for silver to be available. |
I think that would only be true if your preference is strictly solid state for bass. I had a tube amp that sounded great, but with steroetypical bass disadvantages. My 24 WPC Air Tight has great bass control and plays very loud for my room and even with some previous 89 dB speakers. For me many of the SS I would compare it to would play louder and have some more dynamic headroom that I don't need, but would not sound as natural. I think it comes down to what sound signature you're looking for and musical taste preferences to get the best match with you and your speakers, not necessarily a certain type of amp is "the best" at this or that. You can go down a rabbit hole just in what is the best class D amp or if/ when is it better than A or A/B as far as what's best just for SS bass. |
@hickamore Lots of posts on this thread, not sure if you missed response directly from Aric. He offers balanced inputs and even offered to do a mimic of a silver metal chassis. The Transcend recommended is single chassis, and I believe has the highest power options available.
I wish I new. I was tempted to buy a Transcend push/pull, but decided I wanted to keep my Air Tight 6L6 amp and try something more different instead. I would ask Aric directly. He should know this answer best. I have not worked with Aric, but I suspect he would provide honest feedback as other builders I am more familiar with who have some similarities thrive on satisfied customers spreading news about their product grassroots, not with big marketing campaigns.
I can only comment on experiences relative to my benchmark gear. It's all relative, which is why I asked what your benchmark currently is. For my 24 WPC Air Tight versus my previous ModWright KWA 150SE, I felt the Air Tight bass was surprisingly close. I did not miss anything with depth or volume with the Air Tight, just lower overall gain. On paper I believe the ModWright should perform better with transients, which may be true, but I didn't notice it. I prefer the Air Tight bass overall as more realistic and palpable. I never had the Air Tight paired with the Focus. The ModWright was very good with the Focus. Endless reserves of stupendous bass provided by the combination. For my room and tastes the bass of the (older) Focus was boomy and untamable and not pleasurable long term. That is not the fault of the ModWright, which is very controlled with high quality bass. I would only call it lean in bass when comparing to more heavy handed amps. As much as I like the Air Tight, my current speakers allow for a more forward presentation and I wanted to try something else. I use my system for a lot of non-critical listening and wanted something if not as good, still pretty good that wouldn't burn up much or any tube life. I tried a Naim NAP 250 DR (used), which I really like and still currently have. Bass is strong, well controlled, and deep as I would expect it to be. The biggest difference compered to the Air Tight is gain/volume. I wouldn't call it tubey, but I feel it has tube qualities that it is always smooth never fatiguing. It is a great substituute for the Air Tight, but, if anything, too similar. I happened to get my Air Tight from @grannyring here who I didn't know prior (great guy). I recently came upon a ~2021 review of his about his Circle Labs A200 hyrid integrated. Shortly after I read it a demo became available and I went for it. I am really enjoying this amp so far overall. Bass is not what I appreciate most about it, but it is a benchmark amp for me for bass, though I need much more time with it. I have heard and felt bass in ways not previously experienced. I believe it is the speed of the amp combined with the speed of my speakers. On a track known to me I thought I had a buzz issue developing from the amp, and then found out I was hearing it in a way that my previous gear could not produce. It's definitely a special amp. I would be curious if I would experience similar qualities with a good Pass Labs or Coda amp, but have not had the pleasure of hearing them yet. At the same time I had seen a Berning EA-230 on eBay and went for it. Turned out to be in wonderful condition. It is all tube. I've seen discussions over the design, but no transformer, whatever the design may be called. Doesn't run hot. Tube life is very long, at least 10,000 hours I believe. It is extremely clear, very detailed, absolutely no noise from my 96 dB speakers. I think I would call it more forward, but it's so clear it draws you into the music and is romantic in a different way than that warm tubey sound. It is as clear or clearer than my SS benchmarks. Bass is very good. I have a hard time believing it's a 30 WPC amp. Bass is not flabby, but I think stronger compared to the Air Tight tube or the Circle Labs hybrid. As of right now I'm enjoying switching between multiple amps and enjoying the different sound signatures of each, not necessarily trying to choose which is best.
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@hickamore Other than silver color, Circle Labs M200 could tick all the boxes if you are considering high current SS route. It is a great looking amp though. I believe at the price of the one currently available used, it would be difficult to beat. This hybrid amp has tube warmth and very good SS bass paired together seamlessly. I have the integrated version . Very special amp. Good tube warmth, but still accurate and fast. Coda may also be a good fit for you, but for me this is the only SS ( hybrid) I have heard that hasn't left me wanting for my tube amp. Review is worth a read. |