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Which Solid State Amplifier is Making you Happy?

I'm trying to find a new amplifier to replace a Musical Fidelity A3CR. There are lots of candidates: Rowland 501s, Pass Labs 350.5, Levinson 431/432, H2O, etc. What are people using and what has been a good sonic investment? I'm currently driving B&W N803s, so it's a pretty normal load. My MF amp does not offer enough punch or bass control. It flattens out at higher volumes. I'll spend what it takes, new or used. Less than $8K would be nice. All comments welcome.
Peter
pscialli
thomasheisig
568 posts
 
Pass Aleph Mono amps.
hassel
248 posts
 
I second the McIntosh vote. I drive Shahinian Diapasons with a MC402, and although the Diapasons are no easy load, the Mac drives them with ease. Even at listening at hairsplitting volumes to Mahler or AC/DC, the amp hardly gets warm. I was looking for a bass-strong, musica l amp, and have found it. A friend of mine runs his Diapasons with a Plinius SA-102, and is equally happy. Two fine amps which are easy to find used, too.
ozanhan
5 posts
 
There is nothing like a Bryston Amp.
I am using B&W M802 S3, I tried many amps to drive and controll bass, all amps failed except Bryston 7B. I get Bonus Plus; real life dynamics and crystal clear trebles which other amps can't get near.
pscialli OP
80 posts
 
Danielk and others,
I've done some reading and taken a step in the right direction by ordering a Hydra 4 which should be here in the next few days. Maybe that will get me on the road to better amplification.
The question I want to throw out there now is the converse of the original: What amps, in the supposedly hi-end class are to be avoided like the plague?

Peter
oldpet
295 posts
 
Krell - Krell - Krell. FPB400cx to be specific. You can NOT go wrong.
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