2. amps-preamps
  3. 1268877515

Good upgrade from Levinson 33H's

I have been reading discussions on here and in audio reviews, looking for a good upgrade from my Levinson 33H's. First off, these are the best amps I have heard, but I have not heard many of the new wonder amps discussed on many threads here. I am running all Stealth cable, with the Genesis 4 tower speakers.....so the amp I choose to upgrade to, will be running only my Mids / Tweeters. Some, but not all, that I have interest in are, BAT, Joule, Lamm, MBL,CAT,Atma-sphere, Soulution......generally the usual suspects. Each seems to have it's good and bad points, or rather, supporters and critiques, probably depending on many occassions to what supporting equipment people may be using. I guess the bottom line here for me is, which amps in this list or not, would be a substantial upgrade from my Levinson 33H's.......I don't want a lateral move! To all those that will say.....you have to audition....and what do you like or what are you looking for....yes of course. However, without traveling the continent to audition them all in someone elses system, what should my short list be? Thanks in advance for sharing your experiences.
bullot
bullot OP
128 posts
 
Troy is here and the transformation is exquisite!!
lloydelee21
1,202 posts
 
congrats!!!!! yes i have heard the Troy in a SOTA system at Audio Exotics when traveling in Hong Kong...stunning piece of equipment. WE took it out and a haze appeared over the soundstage. gone as soon as it came back.

are you still considering changing your ML33s? They are great amps...i have heard them. i concur with positive comments about the Colosseum...i have compared many amps, and found the Gryphon 2nd hand and feel no need to look further.

enjoy your amazing system!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
bullot OP
128 posts
 
Hey there Lloydelee.........as a matter of fact the 33H's are gone today! Now I need to replace them but have no idea what to get!! I will keep my eyes peeled for some used Gryphons but they don't come up too often!!
lloydelee21
1,202 posts
 
Hi Bullot,

Please email me if you want some ideas about where to find Gryphons. there are a few places which are quite good.

There are a number of things i was hoping to bring up and get your advice on what these components have done to your system...i have often wondered:

1. Stealth Dream speaker cables (i have Transp Ref)
2. Dmitri power conditioner (i have Transp Ref)
3. Bybees (i have Nordost QX4...different but same 'theme')

Thanks for any guidance!

Finally, have you ever looked at whatsbestforum.com? Gary Koh is a very, very frequent user of the forum, and is a founding member or a moderator or something i thought.

i have spoken with him quite a bit there...and he also recently shared his thoughts on the Forum about Gryphon Colosseum saying its one of the best SS he has ever worked with.

AGain, email if more interested in finding Gryphon. Great system...i think very highly of Gary Koh and have heard great things about his higher level speakers from old pros in the business who have "heard everything" over the last 25-30 years.
bullot OP
128 posts
 
Thanks Lloydelee21..........some questions you had!!
1. The Stealth Dream I really like. I had Shunyata Orion prior to the Stealth. I have not really tried very many speaker cables compared to other components and wire! I essentially hooked it up and forgot about it! To me it's one of those things that I am going to have to spend huge money on to improve, so I just accepted that it was a great cable and forgot about chasing any other models.
2. The only other power conditioner I have had is the Shunyata VRay. I had the same experience with the Dmitri as the Stealth Dream.......great product, plug it in and forget about it! Sure there may be something better, I don't know if there is.......but I can't see anything working much better for me so that was the end of my search. Compared to the VRay it just seems smoother, more natural and really invisible, seems like it's not there!
3. The Bybees I have on my speakers and ic's are really nice. Difficult to explain what they do! If you have or have heard the Tripoint Troy, I think they do the same thing, only not to nearly as great an affect. Things are more natural more at ease more real. I like the Bybee and can't see ever selling them, but unless you get a deal on them the cost is prohibitive! Better putting that money towards the Troy, unless you get a deal.
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