Van Alstine products

Hello: I have a SuperPas 4i preamp. I have had a CJ PV10al and a Modulus 3a also. The AVA remains in my system and the other 2 are gone. The CJ was a close contender and I could have kept either but for the $$ the AVA is pretty hard to beat and with a tube phono included it is a hard pre to beat for the $$. I also have a Fet hc350 amp driving Maggie 2.7s. The AVA hc amps are a brute and are a great amp. As for service AVA is nearly unbeatable. If you mail AVA with a question you will likely get a reply very quickly, even on the weekend. The reply will probably come directly from Frank himself. That is pretty much non existant customer service from anyone else. My experience with AVA over the past 6 years has been great. A high end product that AVA and Frank VanAlstine believe in and excellent service. Super way to run a company .

I would like to add my impressions of the Fet amps. I have used Mac SS, Quicksilver Tube and Krell SS in my system. The AVA "to me" has mellower high end than the harsh sound of the Krell. I did not like the Krell much and it wasn't around very long. The AVA is not quite equal to the Quickie midrange but close. Where I think the AVA Fet amps excel is the tight punchy bass. I have not heard any amp in my listening experience that will provide that magic with the Maggies. For the $$ it is a hard powerhouse to beat. I have the hc 350 and cannot imagine why you would need the 550 but there are a lot of Power Maniacs out there that would love it. I have never had any buyers remorse with the AVA. Not with the Quicksilvers either. I am still smarting on the beating I took on the Krell but when I listen to the AVA Fet I heal up a little more all the time.