What is the best solid state amplifier you have ever heard?

I like my YBA 2 amp with Vandersteen 2 speakers. Is it the best I'm sure it isn't but it gives me enough to stop looking.

Gryphon Diablo 300.

Vitus sia 025. Im bias, i own one.

I switched from Monoblocked Burmester 911 IIIs to the Bryston 28B Cubed amps. The Bryston’s eclipsed the 911s in several categories-power, tube like sound, neutrality, bass control, high resolution at low volume and they are uncannily quiet.

TIP: The Dirty Little Secret is that Bryston’s, even after break-in, need 48 hours+ of warm-up to sound their best. For frequent or anytime listening this mandates 24/7 power on, hot chassis, standby.

Since this Super Amp (typicaly, 1200 Watts @ 8 Ohms and 2000 Watts @ 4 Ohms) draws 250 MA in standby your electric meter will be spinning faster 24-7.

I have three 28B 3s (L/C/R) and two 4B 3s (side/rear surrounds). I figured the 24/7 electric cost of operation in my area was way over $1000/year. This was a factor in my recent purchase of a huge Solar system of fifty four 320 Watt Panels-a 18kW system.

ASR Emitter II Exclusive

Pass Labs X150.5
Belles 250i Integrated Amplifier

Ayre

Naim Statement NAP S1 monoblock amps paired with the matching Naim Statement NAC S1 linestage preamp driving the new Focal Utopia Grande Evo lll speakers and the Magico M6 speakers.

Goldmund MImesis 3 (best tonality, harmonic undertones of any solid state I ve heard)

Hi,

I can share my experience with various amps during past 15-20 years. Obviously these integrated/power amps (and home theatres) were used with different components (Speakers/DAC/PreAmps/Cables etc), but it is not impossible to identify and differentiate the SQ.

Out of all below listed combinations (listened to, in the same room), I liked option #h the best.
But if I get the opportunity again, I would like to assess option #e.  There is another post on this forum, which also talks about experience with different AMPs. From the number of threads under that post, it looks like a lot of people probably like it.

Here you go, with my limited experience:
a. Yamaha (Home Theater - 4 or 5 different models) + CA CD player + KEF Q900 speakers
b. Cambridge Audio Integrated Amp - 840a +  CA CD player + KEF LS50 speakers
c. Cambridge Audio Power Amp - 851W + CA CD player + KEF LS50 & ATC SCM 19 speakers.
d. Parasound A21 Power Amp + Jriver + Benchmark DAC2/3 + KEF LS50 & ATC SCM 19 speakers.
e. Parasound JC5 Power Amp + Jriver + Benchmark DAC2/3 + KEF LS50 speakers & ATC SCM 19 speakers.
f. Benchmark AHB2 (single in stereo) + Jriver + Benchmark DAC2/3 + KEF LS50 speakers & ATC SCM 19 speakers.
g. Benchmark AHB2 (2 in bridge/mono) + Jriver + Benchmark DAC2/3 + KEF LS50 speakers & ATC SCM 19 speakers.
h. Benchmark AHB2 (2 in bi amping) + Jriver + Benchmark DAC2/3 + ATC SCM 19 speakers.

Depends SOLEY on the speaker involved.  On my Thiels, PASS power amps without question...no doubt about it.  On my BIG Magnepan 20.7's so far Aesthetix Atlas but would love to try a few others.  Also in the past, Bel Canto's E.One series amps have been great on Thiels as well.  Would love to try some tubes on my Magnepans...thinking about Carver's new tube amps or maybe going ARC.

Hands down a McIntosh MC-2300.  I’m still kicking myself for selling it.  

N

Mark Levinson ML-2

It took a long time for a mention of Levinson ML-2's and I agree with jdl57 after enjoying  them for quite a long time. Also I still have one the often mentioned BEL-1001 and even though played on very different set ups, I always felt that both models were cut from a very similar cloth.

Everyone please excuse this side track, but my BEL 1001 could use a tune-up. If someone knows how to service it properly please PM me.

Thanks,
   LP

For me it was the Bricasti, all their gear is very special. 

I’ve always been intrigued by the Benchmark amp

I’m listening to both the BEL 1001 MK V and the Plinius SA-100 (updated in 2015 to current specs and worn replaced parts). 

They are both so musically satisfying and 3D resolving. I’ve had mega-amps in my system and the two shine with Quads and WILSON Audio Watt Puppies.

Now that I have a young one in the home I’m impressed with the low SPL detail as I listen quietly at night...this is difficult to achieve and retain a fullness in the sound warmth and tonality. 

@lpretiring The original technician(s) is still at Brooks Berdan, and they service all generations of BEL 1001 amplifiers, and just about any other brand of audio equipment:

https://brooksberdanltd.com/audio-services/audio-equipment-repair-los-angeles/

My still burning in SIT 3

Nad 3020 for sure.

Or was the Naim 32/110.

Perhaps it was the Creek Destiny.

No, it was definitely the Arcam 10.

But on second thoughts it could have been that cheap shiny Japanese transistor unit from the 1970s which lasted for decades and is still going strong the last time I heard.

Of course none of them matched the liquid midrange of valve amp that came before all of them - but it took forever to realise.

Agree with @soundsrealaudio that it was a Bricasti amp but the qualifier is the speakers and amp have to be synergistic. 

@kaufman I have heard of Brooks Berdan, but was not aware that their technicians were that familiar with the BEL 1001. I will explore my options with them.
Thank you for the tip.

LP

Luxkit Class A power amplifier.

The very best amp I heard was HALCRO.
Halcro DM38 with Halcro DM10

Kinergetics KBA 75 and my current amp Ric Schultz EVS 1200, sadly, I hear he's not making anymore, thinking GaN will so significantly outperform it that he won't have buyers, but that's cra-cra as many, like myself need mucho power

Almost a year ago (June 7) I listed the better amplifiers I have owned, and I said;

I have not yet zeroed in on the amp that makes me want to stop looking.

That has changed.  Earlier this year, I received SMc Audio DNA-1 Ultra G20 Monoblocks.  These are completely rebuilt DNA-1 amplifiers with significant improvements such as large Plitron Low Noise transformers, and a bunch of other stuff Steve now does to these amps, including their new Gravity Base.  
IMO, the word "best" is subjective and should not be considered in an absolute sense because you would have to consider partnering equipment, speakers, room acoustics, and musical/listening preferences.  My top 3 amps (all monoblocks) would all probably be considered really good by many but, in general, the two Class A amps (Lamm M1.2 Reference and Clayton M300) could be considered better for some music that may include jazz, blues, and pop vocals (IMO) but maybe less impactful for rock and roll or heavy rock.  The SMc amps, IMO, would do just fine with all of those listed genres, and particularly excel at providing a dense tonality and impact across the entire frequency range.  In fairness, they are much more powerful (i.e., 600/1200 wpc into 8/4 ohms) than the Lamm or Clayton amps and my Aerial speakers like lots of power.  In any event, the SMc amplifiers are very, very good and have "made me stop looking."

Herron M1A's. Made me forget about my obsession with tube amps.

Ayre MX-R Twenty Mono-Blocks driving Wilson's.  Ayre makes truly outstanding gear.  

Agostino S250
Agostino Progression integrated amp
Luxman C-900u
JRDG 625 s2

all used with Wilson Yvette’s

easily......the darTZeel NHB-468 monoblocks.

https://www.stereophile.com/content/dartzeel-nhb-468-monoblock-power-amplifier

in my room.

Pass Labs 250.5 stereo amp....best solid state I h ACC ve heard from a certified tube lover.....

Nagra HD amplifiers

Wells Innamorata

With my Vandersteen 5A Carbons, the Vandersteen M5-HPA.

easily......the darTZeel NHB-468 monoblocks.

https://www.stereophile.com/content/dartzeel-nhb-468-monoblock-power-amplifier

in my room.

my Sansui AU 7700 is so good in my room that I will never upgrade...But I read Mike Fremer article about your monoblocks....And ouffff I change my mind.... My best to you.... :)

Ayre MX-R Twenty Mono-Blocks driving Wilson's. Ayre makes truly outstanding gear

I've heard the MX-R driving TADs and Wilsons. Yeah, I've not heard better.

Carver Lightstar Reference Amplifier

I've heard the MX-R driving TADs and Wilsons. Yeah, I've not heard better.

Ayre voice with TAD R1 so not surprising.

Belles SA-30 Class A

Rotel-Rb -1090- inrush limiter didn’t work one day, bright white flash then smoke.
dealer screwed me, gave me a floor model of same as replacement.
first was a loaner , Carver sunfire 300...then the floorodel Rb-1090
Still miss that amp, made the D-9’s sound amazing!!! So loud, clear, perfect. The loaner for a short time was a sunfire 300, fell in love w it, hated to give it back for the replacement 1090. Ended up buying a 600 Sig, great amp! Love the 0 ohm tube sounding tap. Great!

onkyo m504- great for years, had 2 pairs cerwin Vegas hooked up.
at-15 on top upside down, and D-9 on bottom. After a while, the right side binding posts, completely melted to red n black puddles.


carvin dcm -2000 pair bridged as 2K watt monos.
lasted about 10 months, not reliable.

emotiva xpa-1 monos. Still ha,boxed replaced with various amps,

various receivers, onkyo, Yamaha,

been through a handful speakers as well, BIC, altec Lansing, c vega, Klh, Infiniti,

miss the altec m-510’s great speaker, no bass, sent back, wish I had kept them.(circa- 1991-1993)

many other, have receipts in folder, but can’t remember all.


best ever heard- McCormack DNA-750’s, WITH Teflon caps in input and off board.  Smooth, 3-D, vocals and acoustic guitar is perfect.

Accuphase E800
    Denon pma-sx11

A very important reminder is to tell all the equipment those "best" amps were used with. We all know that sometimes a preamp or speakers, heck even cables could make a good component to sound mediocre.

If money is no object i would vote for Audionet Heisenberg monoblocks.

my Sansui AU 7700 is so good in my room that I will never upgrade...But I read Mike Fremer article about your monoblocks....And ouffff I change my mind.... My best to you.... :)

@mahgister

thank you.

I think the ones I have had for the last 10 years or so are up there: Bel Canto ref1000m mono blocks. I listen and think “what could be better?”  Which is not something I could have said prior. 

I hear other very good similar sounding amps in systems at shows and dealers but better? Not so sure.

Symphonic Line Kraft 300 stereo

Coda #16

@loki1957 

nice, their some of the best amps made!

 Have my Kismets at 200W
  I know, it’s not even close, as I’ve heard, but they sound great!

 Brothers McCormack dna-750’s are amazing, wish I had them
 I do in a way, I listen to them, when I have the time.

i love my Odyssey Kismet monos’
  they sound great, the bass notes go very low, they don’t play as loud as my Sunfire 600 Sig, but they do sound crisper, and the mids are crunchier, Amd,lows are much deeper vs the sunfire.

 I’m amazed at a 200W mono pair can sound better than the sunfire and the 500W emotiva xpa monos!

happy with the Kismets! They do sound mice, I’m keeping them for the long haul!

Bakoon