What's your favorite Solid State Amp?

jtwrace · « **Reply #20 on:** 4 May 2010, 02:25 pm »

Quote from: Occam on 4 May 2010, 03:14 am

2. The Korato and Korato Anniversary represented here in the States by a frequent poster, Brian Pape

Regards,
Paul

Cost?

TONEPUB · « **Reply #21 on:** 4 May 2010, 02:38 pm »

I'll second the motion on Vitus... Nice stuff. We had a great time with the daRTzeel amp as well...

rollo · « **Reply #22 on:** 4 May 2010, 02:44 pm »

Mc Intosh, DaRTZeel, Edge and Plinius. In that order.

charles

Occam · « **Reply #23 on:** 4 May 2010, 02:45 pm »

jtwrace,

Dunno the pricing on the Korato amps. Just give Brian Pape (bpape) a PM.
-Paul

Eric · « **Reply #24 on:** 4 May 2010, 02:48 pm »

The best pure SS I have heard has been the Claytons.

jtwrace · « **Reply #25 on:** 4 May 2010, 03:01 pm »

Quote from: Eric on 4 May 2010, 02:48 pm

The best pure SS I have heard has been the Claytons.

Time to get yourself some!

Eric · « **Reply #26 on:** 4 May 2010, 03:03 pm »

I do like my Monarchy SS / Tube hybrids slightly better

jermmd · « **Reply #27 on:** 4 May 2010, 03:04 pm »

Of the amps that I've owned and can recommend, I would rate them from best to worst:
1. California Audio Labs MCA 2500
2. EAD Powermaster 2000
3. McCormack DNA 500
4. Parasound 5250
5. sherbourne (I don't recall the model)

The McCormack may have been better then the EAD amp but I remember enjoying my system better with the EAD.

The CL-2500 MCA is a 5 channel amp (US$7,500) weighing a substantial 109 lbs, and is 27" deep.The amp operates in Class A to 50 watts, and is rated at 500watts/channel into 8 ohms, from 20 Hz - 40 kHz.

saisunil · « **Reply #28 on:** 4 May 2010, 03:11 pm »

Tube Research Labs (TRL) Samson monos ... effortless ... conservatively rated at 300 wpc
Solid State from Tube guy
Mine is dual mono - two boards, one box and one IEC inlet

arthurs · « **Reply #29 on:** 4 May 2010, 03:19 pm »

Quote from: Eric on 4 May 2010, 02:48 pm

The best pure SS I have heard has been the Claytons.

I have had the chance to hear the Clayton 300's a couple of time at a buddy of mine's (a Clayton dealer also) driving the Ascendo C-8 and it was pretty amazing sounding for sure...

roscoeiii · « **Reply #30 on:** 4 May 2010, 03:34 pm »

Bringing down the wattage somewhat:

FirstWatt F1

Current Source Amp
10 Watt/channel
Will NOT work with any passive crossover but does wonderful things for full range drivers.

Extensive coverage of this one on 6moons, which has reviewed each of the FirstWatt amps:
http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/firstwatt/firstwatt.html
http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/firstwatt/firstwatt2.html
http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/firstwatt/firstwatt3.html

Nuance · « **Reply #31 on:** 4 May 2010, 10:15 pm »

Quote from: mdconnelly on 4 May 2010, 01:44 am

McCormack DNA-500 - awesome amp! Conservatively rated at 500wpc into an 8-ohm load and 900 watts into 4 ohms

This. Also the Ayre V-5XE

Larkston Zinaspic · « **Reply #32 on:** 5 May 2010, 12:55 am »

I've been on the SS merry-go-round somewhat for the past seven years. At the upper limit of what I could afford, Plinius and Pass Labs are at the top of the food chain for me, which can both sound marvelous in the right setup.

However, I just bought my first tube amp last week--going from zero to sixteen tubes--and it's possible my relationship with SS may be coming to an end.

Big Red Machine · « **Reply #33 on:** 5 May 2010, 01:57 am »

I've tried plenty and this guy was the best:

Soon I'll have the chance to see this in action, which is essentially the 4800 in a different case layout:

werd · « **Reply #34 on:** 5 May 2010, 02:04 am »

Bryston 14Bsst/2

600watts into 8ohms

SET Man · « **Reply #35 on:** 5 May 2010, 03:08 am »

Quote from: Larkston Zinaspic on 5 May 2010, 12:55 am

I've been on the SS merry-go-round somewhat for the past seven years. At the upper limit of what I could afford, Plinius and Pass Labs are at the top of the food chain for me, which can both sound marvelous in the right setup.

However, I just bought my first tube amp last week--going from zero to sixteen tubes--and it's possible my relationship with SS may be coming to an end.

Hey!

As a tube amp user I know what you mean man

That's why I haven't post any on this thread.

I've heard some nice SS amps out there. But haven't heard one that would make me think of replacing my tube amps and live with long term yet after all these years

Take care,
Buddy

drphoto · « **Reply #36 on:** 5 May 2010, 03:54 am »

I heard RM-40s driven by big Pass Labs monos w/ a Threshold front end at a dealer in DC a few years ago and it was pretty stunning. This rig had it all. A huge holographic soundstage, good tone and great dynamics. Of course, I only got to listen for 30 minutes or so. Dunno if there would be any long term fatigue. Doubt it though. 'Course the whole setup was likely well north of $20K.

So I'd give the nod to Pass. Would love to hear the big McCormack. Has a great rep.

I'm surprised the T-amp fans haven't weighed in here.

K Shep · « **Reply #37 on:** 5 May 2010, 04:49 am »

Quote from: SET Man on 5 May 2010, 03:08 am

As a tube amp user I know what you mean man That's why I haven't post any on this thread.

You've posted on this thread now

You don't have a favorite SS amp?

Frisco · « **Reply #38 on:** 5 May 2010, 06:18 am »

Way out of my price range....

.....one for each monoblock

http://www.ayre.com/mxr.htm

BobM · « **Reply #39 on:** 5 May 2010, 02:42 pm »

Yeah, the DNA500 is a nice amp, for sure. It just seems to do everything right. If anyone is in the Long Island area you are welcome to stop by and give it a listen.

It also comes from a very good pedigree ... the smaller sibling DNA amps (especially those with Mccormack upgrades) are also very fine performers.