SST Son Of Ampzilla II vs Parasound A21 or A23+

@brianlucey I owned a A23+ for two months, bought it second hand from a prior owner who owned it for six months. I was perplexed that it really did nothing for me. I did compare it to other amps, and contacted the owner of PS to inquire more. Sold it. I don’t know if it was a synergy problem or what, just did not work out.

At that time I also owned a Cary SA-200.2 soldi state amp, which was nice, a little too much Class AB power for what I needed - still wanted lower power true Class A. Decided to have my Pass Forte’ updated/upgraded - now running a true Class-A 50 watts. Sweet, plenty of grunt too with reasonably efficient speakers. I rotate it in/out with my upgraded QS Mono 120 tube mono block amps. It’s fun to compare/contrast these two very different types of amplifies. The Forte' does run full Class A, always on, hotter than my QS Mono 120 tube amps. 

As you may recall, you and I compared notes way back during the V12R days, just to give you an idea of different tastes we may have crossed paths on previously. .

i need balanced ins.

Why?  What’s your preamp?  If it’s not fully balanced from input to output it makes no difference.  Just curious.  

I was searching for a Son of Ampzilla II for a while but ended up getting a pair of Cherry Maraschino monos, the 60v power supply version, 800w into 2 ohms. Really works great with my Magnepan LRS+. Something to consider.

@tubeguy76 thank you, i appreciate that. Problem has been solved I’m happy to say

Brand new Magnus Audio MA-150. Voiced differently from the rest of their excellent line with more low mid/low end power, not as detailed/less sizzle at the high mids and high end.

MA-150 sounds very very close to my main amps, the Allnic Audio A-6000 monos running 2x EML 300 BXLS per side. Those are the best amps I’ve ever heard, vs any SS or Tube I have tried.  Near perfect in every category if you have a high efficiency speaker with low end support as I do.

This Magnus amp is a sleeper, a new product about a year ago made for the Chinese market, perfect for anyone looking for tube harmonics and frequency shape in the midrange, with low end punch and power in a SS amp.

100 hours in. 200 to go

Quite the bargain at just over 3k. I’ve been looking for this resolved and punchy tube sound from solid state for decades.

@brianlucey Great, glad it worked out for you.  So the Magnus is made in the USA for the Chinese market?  Interesting.