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Demo'ing Class A amps, Appreciation Suggestions from those who recently been there

I recently sold my Cary S120MKll Amp in 2 days. It was 60wpc triode.
Filling in with Pass Lab, baby DIY Class A Mono blocks. Maxing at 7 wpc.
My speakers are rated 94 Sensitivity older FSMs by Tannoy.

I have sampled so far in order of preference:

-Pass Labs XA25 -Disneyland color the way I like it. $4,900 new
-Leben 300 Int. 12 wpc. EL 84s by Golden Lion-Like an Upscale call girl. Seductive. $4,000 new-Not in the running-

-Lejonklou Boazu Int.-40wpc S.S. Class a/b-Totally Pure. Almost hurts to hear a guitar slide. $4,000 new
-Sugden Masterclass IA 4 Class A to 33wpc. Very smooth but surprisingly not a great match with my Tannoys. $6,000?

What else would you think might be worth a listen?
I want to go Solid State this time. I enjoy the Class A resolution.
Yes the Leben is an outlier someone offered and I said "Sure"! Done with hum otherwise.


I listen from a low of 60 db to high of 75 db.
Room is irregular and medium sized in terms of cubic
feet. Treated as needed.

I want an amp that is satisfying enough to keep for the long run.
Someday I may add the others for a different sound or with less efficient planars, etc.

Price range $5k max.
Used preferred.
Willing to wait.

Brands I am have not heard but read positive comments about:
Ayre, Naim, Linn

Thank you all in advance for your thoughts.
Please do not feel compelled to respond if you
have not been here in the last few years.





chorus
chorus OP
976 posts
 
So you went SS and preferred the Luxman over the Pass?
lowtubes
100 posts
 
Chorus, there is a Fortè Model 4a on eBay now for $650. Class A amp, 50 watts per channel. https://www.ebay.com/itm/114175241726   Exact design as the Threshold “T” series. A killer amp and kicks ass in sound. Highly musical, highly detailed! It is a high recommendation for your system. If you want to spend more money on another amp, I would bet the Fortè would walk all over whatever amp you put it against upward to $4000 and higher.  Lowtubes@gmail.com
char1
35 posts
 
Hey I like this thread!

My two cents worth...I have had many amps in a magnestand 1.6/rythmic 12SE sub system. Having no mind of my own I called Mark at Reno Hifi. And asked him what do I need? (Dont you love it?) He said Carlitos either use a Pass 30.8 ( I thought no way) or a Pass 250.8 (its has a class a high bias). I am poor so I went with the Pass 30.8. It has been in my system for 3 years iand is is absolutely wonderful. Its smooth, holographic AND it drives the maggies exceptionally well.

The pass 30.8 is a better amp in comparison to the pass 25 

Blessings 

Carlitos

atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,629 posts
 
I like the extra dynamics and bass of the SS Pass but it does burn
a little bit on the top end over time. I adjusted my Tannoy treble settings
downward to help this.
@chorus I missed this earlier; the reason SS is bright is due to distortion. Its not very much, but the ear is keenly sensitive to this type of distortion (higher ordered harmonics) and perceives them as brightness and harshness. For this reason you may find that while you can tone it down a little by simply turning down the tweeter, you can't actually get rid of it entirely since its not due to a frequency response error.



chorus OP
976 posts
 
Okay more interesting suggestions, thank you!

Re Forte-yes good sound but too old for me. Not wanting a rehab project
right now , thanks.

Valvet sounds like the LTA product in many ways. I will look for
someone here that owns one. So obscure I doubt my luck though.

Carlitos- You are the guy I have been waiting for! 
So you compared the XA25 to the X 30.8 and preferred the
30.8. Now that is an interesting comparison that so far only
you have done. Thanks.

Deco- I have not heard the INT60 yet. Not sure I need to HP or extra
weight and heat. 

Atmo- I read your comments about a tweeter's Unbearable Harshness of SS and hope you are somehow unaware of a cure. Cables?
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