2. amps-preamps
  3. 166413-139155

Within a 30 day trial with Van Alstine SET 400; seeking comparisons

I’m in the process of auditioning the AVA SET 400 from Frank Van Alstine. This is not meant as a replacement for my tube amps, which I love, but an alternative to listen to and, if I get more demanding speakers or start a second system, a solid state amp would be the nucleus. I am using a tube preamp (Quicksilver line stage) and an R2R DAC (MHDT Orchid) and either a streamer or CD transport as the front end. Speakers are Salk SS6Ms (8 ohm, 87 db, stand mounts). I am auditioning mostly without my REL sub on.

Impressions: so far I like it; it has plenty of power, is nicely, simply finished. It apparently runs in Class A for the first 10 watts or so and delivers 225 wpc into 8 ohms.The ability to bring out a very clearly defined bass is outstanding; mids and highs are accurate without being edgy. I thought there might be a bit more warmth in the midrange. The soundstage is good from left to right; depth-wise, it’s narrower than my tubes and as for the 3-D quality of instruments in the soundstage, well, that’s pretty much been reduced. It’s like the difference between looking at an amazing image on an OLED TV vs. looking at a statue with a spotlight on it (with the tubes).

I’ve never had the chance to listen to a really good solid state amp — a Sugden or Pass or Belles, etc. As you can tell, I’m not expecting to replicate the sound of tubes with the solid state, but I know they can have very different flavors. I’m not sure what that range of flavors is like; maybe there is no greener grass, but I want to probe that, now.

So, my question — has anyone had the chance to compare the AVA SET amps (or other AVA solid state amps) with other, warmish solid state amps? Any impressions you can share?

I suppose I might go as high as about $3k on the amp. The reason I went with AVA was because my suspicion is that at this price point (roughly $2.2k) it’s very hard to beat.

I’m more inclined to keep than jump ship on this amp. But that is also the easiest path -- to just talk myself into it. I am going to continue to listen, let it get some playtime, accommodate myself to its sound, etc. The reason I’m asking now is that there is a window of time here to consider other possibilities and once that window is closed, I’ll be a married man. (Until an expensive divorce.)
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Showing 1 response by jackd

jackd
1,041 posts
 
Dave

You know what my thoughts on the SET 400 are and I actually have owned one for well over a year and used it with a least a half dozen different speakers and two different tube preamps.  In your price range your only real alternative would be an Odyssey Kismet in the Khartago case and that would take months to get with Klaus' backlog.  Might also cause a gain mismatch with it's 1 volt input sensitivity.  I owned one for four years and it is a really good amp but just a slightly different flavor not better.  Neither amp will do what a really good tube amp does and that's just a fact of life though both have their own advantages.  As to the hybrid AVA amps that were linked I own the BHK 250 which is also a hybrid and much more expensive.  And just like Frank's hybrid amps it isn't necessarily better just different.  I own three tube amps and they are just different from any SS amp. Be patient and adjust to the differences and don't compare one to the other.  As to Pass amps no matter how great they may or may not be they will never fit your stated budget. 
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