Well since I have swapped amps more than a few times in otherwise the same system. And I have also swapped some of the same amps through after other components have been changed through the years. I can tell you MY favorite amps have been but two: Threshold S300 II and Electron Kinetics Eagle 2C. Honorable mention PrimaLuna Prologue 6. |
@1markr what were your 300b amps? And your speakers?
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My favorite of the ones I've heard would be from Herron Audio, an older model. I'm sure the latest is even better. |
I love my Concert Fidelity ZL-200 FX
Super clean and neutral |
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1) CH Precision M1.1
2) Gryphon Mephisto
3) many others, the two above do stand out.
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There is a group of really good solid state amps I have heared e.g. Dartzeel, Brinkmann, Soulution... but the best in my opinion is the Tidal Audio stuff. https://www.tidal-audio.com/ |
Symphonic line Kraft there is something very special about these amps.
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if you like kondo sound as life like but you will need more power one as ss my advice is Concert Fidelity zl-120 mono’s or 200 mono’s. |
Among others, Brinkmann monoblocs with Marconi MKII preamp..... |
The one I listen to now — D’Agostino Momentum S250 stereo amp. I’d been through some very nice Pass amps prior but the D’Agostino was the difference between live and life-like.
The first really good solid state amp I heard early on was a Bedini 100/100 1 Meg that I traded a Nakamichi 1000ZXL for. Driving Acoustats it was a revelation for its time (early 80s).
Steve |
Despite ownership biases, I live the Burmester 911mk3. I’m sure there are amps which do things better than these, but in my view the 911mk3, especially in mono cofiguration have an incredible balance of power, finesse and control. |
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Concert Fidelity ZL-120s. Fell in love at a show and bought a set from Brooks Berdan’s estate a couple of months later. I have them on a pair of Sonus Faber Extremas. I had them updated a couple of years ago as part of a small repair, and it was worthwhile. They became even more resolving. They are one generation behind the current version. A close friend liked mine so much he purchased the current version to drive a pair of Maggie 20.7s. That system sounds astounding. |
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Bakoon make the best sounding SS amps I have heard.Composed,clear and pure and they have perfect timing.And it is the timing where most big SS amps seem to trip up.
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Every time I've "upgraded" amplifiers, the goal was to improve the overall sound. Sometimes the upgrade worked, sometimes, not so much. My current amplifier (2Cherry by Digital Amplifier Company) is the best I've had in my system yet...it has added a level of clarity resulting in music that sounds more alive and more real than I had previously been able to achieve.
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Conrad Johnson Premier 350 SA
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Many of the newer gen class D amps offer a fantastic result, though one needs to be mindful of input impedance from preamp, which varies a lot |
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Boulder
Burmester
Dartzeel
JMF
Viola
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First generation Etalon from Hungary made by Laszlo Sallay.
Accuphase A60. |
The Luxman 308 sitting behind me.
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No mention of Jeff Rowland and Dartzeel here so far. I have been thinking about Jeff Rowland 625S2 and Datrzeel 208 or 8550. Any body have experience with these brands compared to Luxman 509 or other brands that are being listed as favorites?
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Pass 250.8 plenty of power smooth all around sound. |
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Pioneer M-22 with matching C-21 pre.
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It will never win any contest here, but Rotel RA-414 has not been beaten in my mind yet. Attach it to AR 18S. |
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I am loving my Datasat RA2400.
I have liked the sound from Naim amplifiers and PS Audio BHK250 (with the pre), and a few small one off amplifiers unknown in USA.
As mentioned before, the synergy of the system components together makes the overall sound.
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"how musical you want your system to sound or how much detail you want to hear."
If the amp in question is of a proper design.. then your stated parameters will fall into that musical and detail camp. If not, move on...
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The best SS power amp I ever heard was the FM Acoustic but extremely high priced. Other than that I agree with the BEL (Brown Electronics Labs) power amps.
The others mentioned above are excellent power amps. Some have a sound that you will either prefer or not prefer based on how musical you want your system to sound or how much detail you want to hear.
You really have to hear something in your own system to see how it all fits together.
Other than that, I can build you a pure class A power amp.
Happy Listening, |
My Merrill Audio Veritas monos hit all the high marks for me...love them!!! |
I built a Hafler 500 in 1977, I think. Still running strong!
Cheers! |
I think that my 2 McIntosh MC2300's have the best sound that I have heard. |
Huge fan of the Mola Mola mono blocks!!!! Super transparent.
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Most of us will never know how good (or poorly) our amp sounds because of the components that send signal to it
I have Audio Alchemy DPA-1 which receives signal from my Oppo 105 with upgraded LPM, an Audio Alchemy DDP-1 + PS 5 outboard power supply, connected via top quality Coax. Speakers are Emerald Physics KCIIs, open baffle. It is quite an enjoyable system
A friend brought over his laptop with a few demo quality recordings and a TOL cable. This configuration bypasses the 105 and the preamp/dac. My jaw dropped. It was no contest. The resultant music was stripped of all artifacts, transporting me extremely close to the recording.
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Vitus SIA-025. An integrated amp too. So incredible that I had to purchase it despite it being 100% over my budget.
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I’ve only owned 4 or 5 ss amps (and heard a couple others in my system)...but my current Wells Audio Innamorata Signature has worked and won out for 3 different speakers. I’ve always thought that must something. Cleanest most natural of the rest. |
@ejr1953 I have exactly the same pre/power amp combination. Very happy with it, and yes it’s one of the best I’ve heard also.
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Gryphon Antileon Evo mono's on highest Class-A bias setting feeding the new Wilson Alexia MkII, there is no amp comericall made that can do what it does.
Cheers George |
As my preference lean towards warmer sound the Naim NAP500 was a clear winner, until I went for the MSB M204 mono blocks. They offered to me a different level of musicality.
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Maybe not the best solid state but I vote for Parasound Halo JC1's |
One more SS amp from the old days: the Quatre Gain Cell DG250! A contender for "best sound" in its class (125wpc) and capable of driving the difficult Dahlquist DQ-10's with ease! I have this combination in my collection. |
Lest we forget, Audionics made some excellent amps and preamps back in the mid - to late 70's! I still have my third CC-2 (rescued from a deceased friend's collection). This amp made TAC's list as Reference B! And the BT-2 preamp (designed by Barry Thornton of SAE) was a very desirable unit back in the day! |
+1 vinylfan62! John Bedini certainly designed and built some fine sounding amps! I too still have my 25/25 (purchased new!) and a second-hand 150/150. These amps thrive on driving electrostats! |
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Bedini 25/25 is still the best I’ve heard in any of my system variations over the years. Still have mine purchased new. I have a Bedini 100/100 amp as well. Not quite as good, but close for when I need more power. Many other amps and components have come and gone but I won’t let the Bedini amps go.
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