My current favorite SS amp is the Hovland Radia driving W/P 7s but I do not think it would improve the dynamics of the system you describe. I think the weak link is your power conditioner. Highly (or poorly) conditioned AC power can render electronics voiced on "average" RF-hash-tainted power somewhat neutered. Try plugging your amp and/or preamp directly into the dedicated line. Or buy a more neutral conditioner. Or any of the amps suggested above. Maybe a new preamp or different cables or power cords. Rethink the speakers. Try to hold on to your wife. |
I'm using a prototype 300 WPC,96 lb. beast manufactured by Consonance.Tight bass,open mids,clear extended highs!!! Best I've heard in my system.
Larry |
Danielk,
That's a fair question. No. The room is on a dedicated circuit, but the audio system shares through a modest Monster line conditioner, the $400 one. I've made some overall improvements to the system by upgrading power cords, adding the line conditioner, upgrading cables, etc, but the deficiency I'm experiencing sounds to me a while lot like the amp is running out of steam. It's a 1999 vintage Musical Fidelity Amp which is rated at 120 watts. Within a year, I may even build up enough diplomacy points with my wife so that I can do some moderate construction to create a much better "audio" room. That room will certainly have the requisit AC power specs.
My preamp, btw is an Audio Research SP16 which may also be a weakish link in the chain; although, not awful by any stretch.
Peter |
McCormack DNA-500.
Outside of the VAC Phi 220 mono amps, most complete and balanced sounding amp I have had the pleasure of owning or spending time with.
It has tremedous bass, a nice musical and detailed midrange, with an extended treble.
Really gets the toes tapping and is very engaging.
On top of all that, it can drive anything and sounds effortless doing it.
George |
I just got a sweet deal on a BAT VK-200 for only $1100 delivered. So, yes, I am very happy! |
Do you have dedicated lines? Are you sure the problem lies in your amp? |
SimAudio W10's are the best I've heard so far....pick em up for under $6k used. Good partner with Maggies or anything needing some oomph. Not your typical sterile sounding SS that hides behind bass wallop and has little else. Good amps.
Rooze |
Son of Ampzilla. 80w/ch. 8ohms. All transistor. Almost 30 years old. Used around $250. My speakers are around 89db efficient. I love this amp. How can one old box produce sound powerful AND revealing? Very tight bass control. I listen to mostly classical and jazz. I know they have a rep for trouble, but mine has been no trouble at all. For a hoot; get one, get it bench tested, hook it up and see what you think. You may be surprised. |
I am using the Innersound ESL-300. I know it doesn't cost enough ($1500 used) but I stand behind it. Drove the pee-diddly out of Maggie 3.6s and sounded better the hotter it got. Never petered out. 600WPC @ 4 ohms. Now drives my Eros MkIII very well, naturally. Spend more, go ahead, 20K for the dartzHeel 100WPC. Excuse me? |
I'm using a Transistor Research Labs (from the Tube Research guys) 225 watt/channel amp. 3 inputs separate for each channel, and separate 45 stepped attentuators each channel. Price? $5500.
After all the talk, I was considering giving the DartZeel an audition. Not any more ... |
I have had several Krell FPB (200, and 700cx) amps which I enjoyed, Aragon makes a good amp, but I think that would be a step back for you, some of the Classe stuff can be had fairly inexpensively since the newer models are out.
I bought a used Classe Omicron and I think it is really something special. The Krell FPB 700cx can be had in your price range, and it will drive anything without flattening out. Of all the amps I've owned, the Krell gets out of the way of the music the best. I found it to be very musical, more so than the older Krell amps. This probably creates an ugly image in your mind, but when I'm really enjoying the music I find myself singing along. With the Krell, I sang a lot! |
Remember the old Toyota jingle by Van Dyke Parks -- "get your hands on a Toyota, and you'll never let go!" ?? Well, get your hands on a Mark Levinson 23.5, and you'll never let go! |
I'm really enjoying my McIntosh 501 Monoblocs (and the Mac 402 which preceded them was sweet as well).Plenty of bass control at all volumes--uncolored, clean sounding amps. They're currently driving my Meadowlark Blue Heron 2's effortlessly, playing all kinds of music.
Joe |
Dartzeel dont comment unless you've listened to one |
I'd get Parasound JC 1's or a big Krell. If you have problems of flattening out at high volumes it could also be the speakers. At least 200wpc is my personal minimum as power gets used up real fast. |
Solid state amps aren't my bag at all. However, I HAVE heard the little 125 WPC Goldmund mono-blocks over an extended period of time in a friend's system. They're little killers. |
NuForce Ref 8 driving Quad ESL57 modified. |
