I have the Pass Labs X350. I nearly pass out in ecstasy every time I listen. Seriously, it is very good and gets even better the longer it is on- ie. several days as the temperature and bias current stabilizes. It runs warm- makes for a great heater in the winter. |
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Whatever you consider them, I agree with Nolitan, the Lamm hybrids are the end of the line for me. The M1.1 is what I can afford for now, but the 1.2 is on the horizon. Pretty close to everything I could hope for. |
i am a Musical Fidelity fan, but since the 'original' oblong NUVISTA series went out of the market, my taste went wth it.
these are the SS amps that made me really happy (latest to oldest):
- Krell FPB 200c - current and probably my main stay
- Musical Fidelity XA-200 with a Nuvista or XP-100 Preamp
- Threshold Stasis
- Forte Model Fity-five
- MF Typhoon
I will have no difficulty getting these amps again if they are still or made available.
.e. |
I should add now the Acoustic Plan Sitar Integrated amp, it is not a pure SS design but keeps the benefit of both topologies. Very nice indeed. |
I don't know if one considers a Lamm 2.2 or 1.2 a solid state, but this is one of the best amps I've heard & owned. |
My Counterpoint Solid 1e love it.Blows away digital amps. |
My Counterpoint Solid 1e love it. |
Spectron Musician III Mk 2. Particularly as monoblocks - so relaxing and "real" sounding that it is a completely different experience for me. |
i enjoy my Mac 501's. lots of power and looks like no other.
Pepe |
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Brian, specs for the JRDG 8T at:
http://jeffrowland.com/ClassicSpecs.htm#M8
show a damping factor of 100. This suggests that this amp may not be ideal for driving speakers with very low impedance. If you like as I do the special sound of Jeff Rowland amplifiers, you may have a look at the model 312, JRDG's current flagship. It has a damping factor of 1000 and an output voltage of 125Ohms. Yet, it is to my ears one of the most musical devices I have ever heard. . . plus the usual audiophilic musts of revealing, harmonic complexity, macro/micro dynamics, extension, staging, imaging. You can read a semi-technical sidebar I have just published on this device on the December 2008 issue of The Absolute Sound on page 80, part of my review of the Vienna Mahler speakers. Guido |
Jeff Rowland model 8T most musical satisfying amp I ever had. Second in my system with Acoustats the Levinson ML-2's. They do posses such a transparency and pinpoint placement of instruments but they could not properly drive my inefficient speakers. Eighteen Volts was max, but they can deliver lots of current and even drive a Apogee Scintilla 1 Ohm version.
Do not know how well the 8T performs in the lower impedence ranges (I mean 2 Ohm and below). It's specification says only 250 Watts @ 8 Ohm and 400 Watts at 4 Ohm. A perfect Voltage source should deliver 500 Watts at that rating of course. Maybe someone does on this forum? |
There are so many amps being named, I wonder if there are any bad sounding SS amps (hyperbole). It does seem that SS has come a long way. |
I've had a Coda amp for some time now and have found it
able to keep up with any upstream changes showing a
difference in the pieces and able to put the peddle to the
metal for power. In any case I feel a high current amp seems to work best overall. |
The last three SS amps I have used were all nice. The big Krells are the best of the three with my Thiels.
Krell FPB 650M, Ayre K-1xe, Parasound JC-1s. |
Vince, I am trying. . . closest I've been able to arrange is to be in Fresno on Sept 6th and 7th. . . but I haven't lost all hope yet! Guido |
Rumadian, you heard the prototype H2O? So did I. If I were to hear that now, I would judge it rather harshly. Maybe that is a bad choice of word. It was anything but harsh. It sounded like a very good class A amp.
I bought the third generation of the H20 Signature monos. Since then, I upgraded the module, and caps in this well reviewed version, under direction of it's creator. Now I have this insanely dynamic, deeply penetrating, crazy real sound out of my 1 ohm speakers.
Guidocorona, aren't you going to visit me? I will have a pair of Scintillas for sale soon. |
Thank you Rlawry, unfortunately anonymous comparisons are not even worth the weight of the electrons used to display them on a computer screen. |
The H2O Signature 150
I have to admit; I've always had a thing for a well done class A transistor amp or a good valve unit. While I've also been a big fan of the price/performance ratio class D provides, I've never met one I could live with long term. That is, until I received a prototype amp from H2O. Instead of going wax poetic about what it does well, and why I like it - the bottom line is that it is a transistor amplifier that tickles my fancy to the point to where my search for an amp for the main system has come to a close (well, for now - you know how it goes). |
Give a listen to Classe CAM-400 mono-blocks. Depending upon
your tastes in music, they pair very well with the B&W's
in listening I've done. My personal favorites are Edge
amps. As you go up the line, they just keep getting better
in every conceivable way. The G8 meets your price point by
a safe margin new. The massive jump is the NL10.1 or in my
case, the NL12.1's. Both can be had used in or near your
price point if memory serves (A-gon ads I've seen).
I've yet to push the 12.1 I own to the wall or hear it
distort, get grainy, etc.... It has "pits of hell bass"
that is tight and accurate while still delivering
wonderful mids and highs that just go up and up...
My second NL12.1 shows up tomorrow; I'm going to vertically
bi-amp my main L/R speakers. Questions? Let me know....
(Not a dealer, rep or other affiliate, just love their amps) |
A friend of mine lent me a McIntosh MA-6200 70 wpc which I did not necessarily want to swap out my Carver M-4.0t for, since it was recently refurbished and modded. I loved my Carver.
I also was reluctant as my Gallo Ref. 3.1a's love power and my Carver is 375 wpc where the MAC is 70 wpc.
With prompting I finally did. The Carver is not going back into my system. My Rogue Audio Magnum 99 has to work extra hard to keep my Gallos happy through the MA-6200 (using as amp only). Therefore I am upgrading to a MC-7300. The richness and fullness of the MAC is well, music to my ears.
I have a Rega Saturn and Linn LP12 for sources, play primarily classic rock but enjoy almost everything else on occasion too.
Cheers. |
Class D,T,Ice; power switching amps. Back in 05 I stated the Son of Ampzilla was my favorite. Fast forward to 07, I now have a Class T (Audiosource) 200w/8ohms. It is a better amp, period. Just listen to one, see what you think. |
Is there something that hasn't been mentioned yet? |
cj Premier 350 is on my short-list! |
I'm using a Pass Labs X250 to drive a pair of Martin Logan reQuests and could not be happier.
TomDac
MartinLogan Club
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Guidocorona, their names shall ever be anonymous. What difference does it make? Let us just say they are some of the biggest names in audio. Just use your imagination. |
Hi, I have been watching this thread with some interest. I switched from Musical Fidelity to Blue Circle and I have been extremely happy; so much so that I am trying to work for the company. Blue Circle has two amplifiers that should fit your needs perfectly; the BC 26 MKII is a solid state design and is under 6000 and the BC 202 which is under 6500. Both have more than enough power and will represent a dramatic improvement over the Musical Fidelity. I especially like the BC 202 but it is a hybrid. Check out the Blue Circle web site. I don't know where you are so I can not recommend a dealer in your area. |
I just upgraded from a Krell 400cx to a new Krell EVO 402 and the improvement is very clearly audible and more musical (without any loss of that famous Krell "slam" whatever that is).
good luck. |
My Jeff Rowland model 8 with choke power supply still makes me smile after all these years. I recently did a AB with a 501 and IMHO my 8 was just in a different league. Far more resolving and with a much better control of the bass. The 8 also threw a far deaper soundstage and was much sweeter in the highs.
The only problem you will find is finding someone with a choke supply 8 for sale. |
Rlawry, which SS and tube sacred cows has your Emerald put to shame? Do give us details. |
Essence Emerald Amps, both an Essence II Stereo and Emerald III Reference Monoblocks. I have heard dozens of amps in my system and once I heard these I stopped looking for the Holy Grail of amps. I sold every other SS and tube amp I had. |
I think I have read that B&W uses Krell at their plant to test their speakers. I have heard Rotel with B&W's so I imagine any conventional amp will drive the speakers adequately.
I have used Aragon and Krell to drive Maggies and a few other speakers and want a Plinius amp next.
Depending on your room and how hard you want to drive the speakers any amp with aprrox. 100watts plus would be adequate unless you have a concert hall.
I would make certain to match gain levels of your equipment to make certain that you do not run flat of power using the pre-amp to get the most from your equipment. Seems strange the MF would not push the speakers adequately ,but maybe there was not enough power. |
I've got the small MBL mono blocks, 8011AM. Don't let the size fool you, these boys are really powerful. I think these amps are a hidden gem. They've outperformed everything I've heard including some very expensive amps (darTZeel for example), and some hyped ones (ASR Emitter II Exclusive). They work great in other setups as well, an all-MBL setup like mine is certainly not required. For example, another guy in this town bought them for his Wilson WP7 and he claims they are stunning in his setup.
Anyway, if you can, lend them an ear and see what you think. :) They're breaking your budget a bit unfortunately, but if you can find them used they should be right on the money. |
Try and listen to Chord...I replaced the Nuvista CD and Trivista amp with Chord Blu/Dac and CPA 2200 pre / 1200C power. The difference was astounding. Hooked on Chord, I recently upgraded the pre to the new 3000 which is magnificent - so I am now selling the CPA2200 pre. Im looking for the Monoblocs soon. With your budget you would be able to find a nice used pre/power combination. Try them, you will not be disappointed. |
clasee cam 350 mono's
muse mono's
pse studio v |
Ayre V5X on top, Levinson 332 on bottom of biamped system. Goosebumps and chills and sweet music.... |
I feel www.aberdeencomponents.com's modified amps are some of the best amps available. |
05-12-05: Drken
There is no better amplification for B&W Naut that Kraft/symphonic line. This is coming from some one who worked for a B&W dealer. This is a german line of equipment that is awsome!
Drken (Threads | Answers)
Thread i found on the Symphonic Line to try to help some. |
I feel the Sypmphonics line , makes some of the best amps available. |
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Krell FPB400cx makes my Thiel CS6s very very happy, they sing softly and sweetly when asked to do so and will rock the house when gently coaxed with good material and a twist of the volume knob. |
Cary CAD500MB......500W SS Mono's, they make me happy |
I have been using tube based pre amps and power amps for almost 20 years. That being said, I just bought a pair of Apogee Stage speakers and quickly realized my current (excuse the pun) amp was not going to fit the bill for powering these current hungry speakers. My last SS amp was a 1988 Krell KSA 100 MKII so I thought I would again try one of those amps for these Apogee speakers seeing that this was the amp of choice back then for the Apogee speakers. To my surprise this Combination is a lot of fun. The impact, dynamics, detail, base does put a smile on my face when listening to this system. I dont think I will be selling my tube-based system anytime soon, however, I now see why there are ss lovers. I never could see why anyone could/would like ss sound, but now I can at least appreciate the virtues of ss amps. The Krell KSA series were real brute amps and can now be bought pretty inexpensively. Good luck with your search......Bob |
Rowland Model 10. I actually prefer the sound of this to the newer designs, just a little bit. The Model 10 is out of production, yet it is not that old. So it presents an opportunity to find one in the used market without a lot of mileage on it. |
Another vote for Odyssey Extreme Mono Blocks! I really like mine. |
Ayre. The stuff sounds wonderful, is built like a tank, and the company is great to deal with. All their stuff is top notch, but their preamp the K1xE and their universal silver disc player are far and away the best. It's amazing how much music there is on the silver disc. |
Everyone agrees to disagree. Proving it's the sound you favor as being the best amp for your system. |
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I love my Herron M150 mono amps on my Alons. Never heard them with B&Ws, but have heard the Herrons with Audio Physic Avanti IIIs and Pro Ac Response 3.8s. Outstanding dynamics and bass control, especially when paired with a Herron preamp. I think they just sound like "music"...effortlessly natural.
I've heard the Gamut is synergistic with B&Ws. |
