Which Solid State Amplifier is Making you Happy?

Thanks Fplanner for your honest, candid reply.

FPlanner, I am not surprised about your Rowland 501 findings. I heard the 201 and found it it delicate but slightly surfacy.

I heard the Rowland 501's and to my ears, they didn't have quite the "involvement" of the DNA. The Halos were also very good, but again, to my ears, didn't quite have the breadth of soundstage or smooth intimacy as the DNA. Please note that I didn't spend HOURs on these comparisons and this wasn't at all a "scientific"-type comparison. I posted this info just as an aid to others who might be considering 1 of these brands - certainly NOT to start a huge discussion or uproar. There are obviously many models from all these brands that have their own unique characteristics and when you are in this price range, they all sound good - its just what sounds best in your system to your ears.
Thanks for understanding.

I am pretty happy with my venerable Classe'Twenty-Five driving my Maggie 3.6R's. Plenty of power and punch(500wpc into 4 ohms). Transparent enough to reveal whatever changes you make in the front end. Available used from time to time for about $1250. A real bargain if you ask me. If you want to spend some bucks, 8k will get you a new pair of BEL 1001 MkV's or you might find a used set of Theta Citadels.

Fplanner -- Just curious as I too am in the market for an amp in this category, are you referring to the Halo JC-1's that you compared your DNA500 to?

For what it's worth, I think I've got my selection narrowed down to the PASS 250.5, Mc DNA500, and the Gamut D200III. Hope to audition the Gamut in the next few days. Will post my impressions...

Anyone care to comment on the above 3 amps?

Fplanner, which Rowland did you compare against the McCormac?

I am using Steve McCormack's DNA-500 to drive my Legacy Whispers (lots of drivers, 4 ohms) and couldn't be happier. Only amp I've heard that comes close sonically is the BAT VL-600SE. Mac 501's didn't touch it, nor did Parasound, Rowland or Krell. I was a little hesitant after all the rave reviews for the amp, but got one to try and am not letting go. Haven't heard anything that touches it under 15K except the BAT at 11,300. DNA-500 is 7K list, 500w/900w and loads of current. Remarkable sound - you will be surprised if you hear it!

Clayton M100s. See Bound for Sound and IAR.

Much better than the well known brands. Will drive anything.

McIntosh MC501 Monoblocks driving B&W N802's w/REL Stadium III sub, solid performers top to bottom in a very large room. A relative bargain @ $8200. Stereophile comparisons to Halcro dm58 @31k/pr.

The Halo JC-1s were before the tax man came along. But they should really come packaged with an air conditioner unit. I'm glad we still have relatively cold temps up here in Toronto. Come summer, these things would have been blazing even in low bias. High bias would probably be good for grilling steak.

The velvety golden glow of my Rowland 7M monoblocks makes me purr with contentment. . . except for that not so fine day when the nail of my left thumb lost an unfair game of 'shock absorber' under one of the cooling fins of the 140 pounds behemoth. That was when I discovered that, for some odd reason Aluminum seems to have been created harder than nail and flesh.
One year later, the nail fully regrown and nicely healed, I went back to purring with blissful contentment.

Scratch the 7b's dude...no! Class C/B at best, not Class A(someone got a good incentive payout to write that review)
You'd be much much better biamping those 803's, using a parasound bass amp on the bottom, and a more refined pristine amp up top for mid/treble. Actually, of all the combo's I've tried with the 803's, biamping works best!

Before you spend big bucks, you must listen to Bryston's 7Bs (ST or SST). Some speakers like the B&W just need to be "spanked". If bass control is what you crave, the 7Bs have it in spades. Except for the bass, it is quite nuetral. You can however probably get away with a lower pwr Bryston amp for the 803s.

Gryphon amps - Pure class A - top of my list
Pass X series second

Thats it

I have been using the GamuT D-100 Mk.3 for about 2 yrs. and I still love it. I drive it with the DeHavilland Mercury triode tube preamp resulting in very smooth natural full bodied dynamic music.

I am currently using a MF A308 integrated with B&W N803. You might consider upgrading to the MF KW500.

I like my Clayton M100,
I used to have:
MF A300 (nothing special),
Electrocompaniet ECI 2 (with ProAc's it was outstanding combo in its price)

A bit over your budget, but take a look at the new Boz 216/2200 amplifier(tactaudio.com). It will give you the control you're looking for, and adding another 2200 in the future will allow you to biamp your speakers.

No, not 1000 watts, but they will drive anything to any volume.

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/h2o/m250.html

I never heard of a 1000W per channel H2O power amp. Is there a new model I do not know about?

Step into the future...how about a 1000-watt ICE module digital amp? See JJAZ preview and H2O Audio reviews on 6moons.com. He says they're terrific....

Krell - Krell - Krell. FPB400cx to be specific. You can NOT go wrong.

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

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.

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.

Pass Aleph Mono amps.

Odyssey Stratos Monoblocks "Full Gary" Version. More of everything.

Bryston 4bsst - Component of Merit in Bound for Sound

I have been using Symphonic Line from Germany for many years now,and I am very happy about the sound. it is a musical amp.

Tim

Edge NL-12--mine is smooth, relaxing, & has remarkable soundstaging & terrific quality (transparent) bass.

Denf,

I have heard the JC-1's, but never in a very familiar system or head to head with the DNA-500.

As such, I don't think it would add any value to comment on its sound.

One thing I will say is that the JC-1's run pretty darn hot while the DNA-500 stays pretty much cool.

If sound was equal, that could be an issue for some.

George

This is an easy one. I use all Krell. I use the FPB350MCX's mono's. I am very happy with em.

Glai, could you please expand on how the Pass X250.5 bettered the Rowland 201s?

New BVaudio A300SE tells the truth. This unit has Absolutely clear and neutral sound. I believe in technology, my new Canon 20D disappointed me either.

Plinius SA102, or the SA250.The oddyssey extreme
monoblock are also very good choice.

Denf, Unfortunately, I have never heard the Halo JC-1's, but I would really like to hear them someday. They were actually my other "finalist" when I purchased the McCormack and I forgot to list them in my post above. I don't know that they would better the DNA-500, but I would guess the choice would boil down to system matching. The McCormack works well in mine.

Get one BEL 1001 Mk5 if you want the most transparent amp ever made, get two and run them in bridged mono mode if you want to be completely free of "upgraditis" for the duration. I have never heard anything better in solid state. And you can also use Richard Brown's (BEL) IC's and speaker cables for a relatively inexpensive treat.

I am thoroughly enjoying my Mac 501's, they are simply incredible at all levels and when cranked take my thiel 3.6's to a level I've only ready about! For the money you get a ton of power, real world bass, and see way into midrange. They do not sound congested or flat when pushed, actually, I can't even push them - I feel like the guy in the old maxell commercial when I try...

Peter,

Check out a Pass X250.5. They have the MOSFET sound, and some feedback, for bass control. They do come up used..

Conrad Johnson Premier 350 I also liked my MF2500A.

Audio Research 100.2.

naim audio nap 250

Hey George and Mitch, where the heck have you guys been hiding in regards to the several threads asking for comparo's between the DNA500 and the Halo JC-1's?!

Don't tell me you have never listened to the JC's!

What's your take?

Denf

Pick up a used PS Audio HCA-2 for under $1,000 and send it to Doug Jesse at Reference Audio Mods for his full-monty mod ($1,200). Outstanding sound.

I have had x250.5, rowland 201, ml 432 in my sys. Would prefer x250.5 and 350.5 may even be better.

Odyssey Extreme Monos---power and current to spare. Excellent sonics.

McCormack DNA-500, definitely. Others considered were the Pass .5 series, Sim W-6 or W-10, Belles 150A Reference monos, and Krell cx models.

Take a look at the threads concerning the new PASS LABS X-.5 series amps.I was using an EDGE NL-10 very happily until I audtioned a X-350.5 and was shocked at how much better it was than the NL-10,which is a world class amp.I also wrote a review that you might want take a look at here on the GON.I have no doubt that this amp will give you all the dynamics and sound pressure levels you are looking for,than its your personnal taste about how it matchs your system always.Hope this helps.

Consider the link below for about $4,200-$4700.

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/frr.pl?ramps&1114108053&read&3&4&

Not for your speakers, but as someone formerly devoted to SET's and/or OTL's I am thrilled with my DNM PA3 amp and DNM 3Dsix pre.
Only 23 watts SS so sensitive speakers are still a must.