AudioCircle
Audio/Video Gear and Systems => All Solid State => Topic started by: jonson3459 on 5 Oct 2021, 01:58 am
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I went through about 20 amps in the past and found Densen DM-30 sound the most natural and organic. But I have not tried anything terribly expensive and have not spent more than $2500 (used). So I was wondering what other people have experienced in the past when ti comes to solid state amps. Thanks!
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Enjoying my Kinki Studio EX-B7 mono block class AB amplifiers.
Don P
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For many years I used 50 watt integrated amps from NAD and Arcam. Used a class-d integrated for a bit. Ultimately found contentment with a Rotel RB-1590. Had it about a year now and hope to use it for many more.
Cheers,
Scott
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Hi,
I am a fan of Spread Spectrum Technologies amplifiers designed by James Bongiorno. I've had the Son of Ampzilla and recently sold one to a friend. I know use the Ampzilla 2000's with my power hungry Salk Sound HT3's. I like solid state sound the best.
Cheers Rod
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Parasound A21 and my current amp is a Pass X250. Also have a Cary SI300.2d integrated amp. Although I have done in home auditions of several AVA amps, all very good.
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MCS
Technics
Pioneer
Onkyo
Odyssey
Bryston 4B3 - Done. I am out of the SS amp buying game.
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Enjoying my Kinki Studio EX-B7 mono block class AB amplifiers.
Don P
I have never heard of them. Their gear is beautifully built. Too bad there are no dealers around. Do you own their DAC?
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No dealers. Direct sales only. I also own Kinki EX-P7 preamp. I’m using Jays Audio DAC2 Signature with Jays Audio CDT2-MK3 transport. Great build quality and some of the best customer service I have ever received by any vendor in my over 40 years in the hobby. The guys at Vinshine Audio are great communicators and follow up on every email.
Don P.
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I'm in a rut... but it's a very nice rut
Yamaha CR-820 receiver (1978)
NAD 7155 receiver (1985)
Adcom GFA-535 (1991)
Adcom GFA-5400 (2003)
Anthem PVA2 (2006)
Van Alstine Insight 440 (2008)
Upgrade to Insight+ Double 440 (2010)
Upgrade to Synergy 450 (2012)
Van Alstine Vision SET 400 (2019)
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I'm in a rut... but it's a very nice rut
Yamaha CR-820 receiver (1978)
NAD 7155 receiver (1985)
Adcom GFA-535 (1991)
Adcom GFA-5400 (2003)
Anthem PVA2 (2006)
Van Alstine Insight 440 (2008)
Upgrade to Insight+ Double 440 (2010)
Upgrade to Synergy 450 (2012)
Van Alstine Vision SET 400 (2019)
Now you need the DVA 225 mono blocks or the DVA 850's. :D
Both are great sounding amps.
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I also own Kinki EX-P7 preamp. I’m using Jays Audio DAC2 Signature with Jays Audio CDT2-MK3 transport.
You have an incredible system!
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You know what. I woke up feeling okay about myself. Had some breakfast, hung out with my family, then I saw this thread and all the great gear that other people are experiencing and now I feel entirely inadequate.
Great job everyone. I won't even bother to share what amplifiers I use or have owned, since so many of you probably have power supplies and cables that cost more than my whole system.
I'm kidding mostly, and not upset at all. I will say this though for anyone else perhaps experiencing a case of envy, that there is a lot of enjoyment to be had at lower price brackets. I celebrate those that are able to have high-end premium gear, but I have a lot of fun enjoying music and home audio, and I don't think I own anything that would be worthy of bragging rights, here in forum. I will stay tuned though, because I enjoy learning about other people's gear and experiences. Thank you all for sharing.
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You have an incredible system!
Thanks so much. I did these upgrades during lockdown. We had to cancel some travel plans so had some funds to invest in home entertainment. Great decision.
Don P
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I typically swim in the shallow end of the spending pool.
NAD C325BEE
Yamaha R-S500, RX-797
Crown XLS 1500
B&K ST202
Monarchy SM70
Tubes - Magnavox EL84 console pull (was updated by an owner before me)
Sugden - P28, A25, A28B, currently loving an Optima 140
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Doubt I can remember them all, and certainly not model numbers...
Oldest to newest
Some Sony integrated in the mid 1970's, it was kind of grim, murdered tweeters.
Carver M400 cube (for like 20 years)
Odyssey Stratos
Odyssey Stratos mono's
Parasound Mono's, some rebadged things
Outlaw 5 channel HT Amp
R.E. Designs LNPA 150
Rotel, 200WPC I think.
Twisted-Pear chip amp, not sure which one
Hypex NC400
Hypex NC1200
Hypex NC500 (modded)
Firstwatt SIT-3
Schiit Aegir
Benchmark ABH-2
There were others on loan, some good, some great, some awful.
I still own the NC500, SIT-3, Aegir and Benchmark.
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All that comes to mind right now are the…
Metaxis Solitaire
McCormack DNA 1.0 (gold mod)
ICEpower 1200as2
AVA Vision SET 120 Control Amp
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Chronologically since 1973, they have been:
Pioneer SX-727 (receiver)
GAS Son of Ampzilla
B&K ST-140
Emotiva BasX A-300
PS Audio M700 monoblocks
I've enjoyed them all, but I felt each one was a substantial improvement over its predecessor.
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Long time Nelson Pass fan, Threshold back in the eighties and currently a pair of X260.8 mono blocks.
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Long time Nelson Pass fan, Threshold back in the eighties and currently a pair of X260.8 mono blocks.
:thumb: Can’t go wrong with Pass Labs. Budgetary constraints led me to Kinki Studio.
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Other than receivers from the 1970's-1990's, all prior to delving into "audiophile" gear, I've not owned any SS amps.
My first "hi-end" amp was a tube-hybrid integrated and all since have had tubes.
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Other than receivers from the 1970's-1990's, all prior to delving into "audiophile" gear, I've not owned any SS amps.
My first "hi-end" amp was a tube-hybrid integrated and all since have had tubes.
Aw, man. You should treat yourself to a high-end SS amp. Either one of two things will happen -- you'll prefer SS or you'll appreciate tube amps even more.
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I prefer big tube amps but I've had quite a few solid state ones over the years (Carver, Harman-Kardon, Bryston, Crown, Hafler, Adcom). Some are still here, some are gone and won't be missed.
I finally bought one that I really like, a conrad-johnson MF 2275.
That one's a keeper.
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Aw, man. You should treat yourself to a high-end SS amp. Either one of two things will happen -- you'll prefer SS or you'll appreciate tube amps even more.
I wish I could!
It was on my To-Do list to do so prior to loss of job caused by Covid travel restrictions, unable to find new job since. Ugh. I'd love to try out one of the big boy SS amps (Pass, etc.). Perhaps some day.
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No way can I list them all so my two favorite amps from the last few years: Simaudio i7 integrated amp and current, and final amp Benchmark AHB2.
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I’ve found my end game amp, the Pass INT-60. It cured my upgradetitus…
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I have not owned a ton of amplifiers but from the ones I have been through, I have arrived at Spectral Audio and I think that is where I will stay now.
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Sooooo many, it made my head hurt. I settled on the Modwright KWH 225i hybrid integrated and enjoy it even more so every day.
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Embarrassing that I keep a list:
1. Monarchy SM70 monos
2. PS Audio GCC500 modified by Underwood
3. Moscode 401HR
4. Wyred SX1000 monos
5. Wyred SX500 monos
6. Wyred ST250
7. Dodd 120 monos
8. BAT VK500
9. Pass Labs X350.5
10. Sunfire 600
11. Rowland 201 monos
12. Belles 150A Refs as monos
13. TAD Hibachi monos
14. Dared VP-20 monos
15. Cherry 4800A
16. Cherry Plus
17. ATI 602
18. PS Audio Delta 250 monos
19. Hafler 9130
20. Hafler SE240
21. Hafler XL280
22. Electrocompaniet AW220
23. Jolida JD202A
24. AVA something?
25. Xindak ? 200 wpc
26. Tube Research Labs Samson monos
27. AVA Synergy 300
28. Electrocompaniet AW180 monos
29. Wells Inamorata
30. Atmasphere MA-1 Mk II OTL Tube Monoblock Amp Pair with 6C33 Output Tubes
31. Quicksilver V4 monos
32. Plinius SB301
33. Maker NL14+
34. Luxman M800A
35. LTA UL with mircoZOTL pre
36. VTV AMPLIFIER Stereo Purifi Audio 1ET400A Amplifier w/ PR Sonic Imagery Labs 995FET Pro Opamp, WBT-0702.01 TopLine Posts
37. Digital Amplifier Company 2-Cherry
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It seems improbable there is any component we have all used. ;|
Embarrassing that I keep a list:
1....
37....
The list of SS or tube amps I've used is shorter than BRM's
1. The family (i.e. my father's) H.H.Scott integrated amp.
2. A Lafayette all in one that went back to radioshack within its return window.
3. A Pioneer SX450 receiver & cat warmer that replaced it.
4. A NAD 3020 integrated.
5. A pair of Kenwood L-07Ms.
6. A Sumo 9 (9+?) not superior to the Kenwoods. Returned to dealer.
7. A Classe CA200 bought from a TAS reviewer financing his Levinson purchase.
8. A pair of EAR 509 amps.
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I typically swim in the shallow end of the spending pool.
B&K ST202
I remember that amp, it was one of my favorites, I miss it still.
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Here are a few I've had....
Odyssey Stratos
Rotel 200w
Carver pro amp
Bel Canto 100
Crown XLS 2500
DAC Cherry
currently Classe 100
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Sunfire
Yamaha MX-1000
Bryston 4B
ATI 2002 ( still use)
Vincent SP331 MK (still use at times)
PASS XA30.5 ( still use)
Denon POA 6600
OLD tubes: Quicksilver mid -monos
Marantz 8b
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Sunfire
Yamaha MX-1000
Bryston 4B
ATI 2002 ( still use)
Vincent SP331 MK
PASS XA30.5 ( still use)
Denon POA 6600
OLD tubes: Quicksilver mid -monos
Marantz 8b
I almost bought the Denon POA6600 then decide for the Carver Silver 9T a no transparent sound amp.
What are your impressions on the POA 6600 ?
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I almost bought the Denon POA6600 then decide for the Carver Silver 9T a no transparent sound amp.
What are your impressions on the POA 6600 ?
That was a long time ago and it was a used piece. . I had it paired with the Marantz Model 7 tube pre-amp I had. really laid back and transparent.
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I enjoy my Bryston 4B SST2 with my Maggie 1.7i's.
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I have had the following since getting back into audio about 4 years ago, bought all of them used for good prices:
Carver 806x
Parasound A21
Modwright KWA 150 SE (my current amp)
Really liked each one but was very pleased with each upgrade. The Modwright is pure Class A for the first 30 watts which make me happy :-). Have it paired with a Modwright tube pre and it sounds magical.
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Best solid state amps I have owned... ever:
Forte' 4
Bryston 4B-SST²
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That was a long time ago and it was a used piece. . I had it paired with the Marantz Model 7 tube pre-amp I had. really laid back and transparent.
Thanks, this was a big mistake I do :duh:
The Denon even was class A, some time later it was re-released under the name POA-S1 monoblocks at $20,000.
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During college, I bought what I could afford. Each year during college, I bought a better receiver ending with a Pioneer SX-727 after starting with a SX-424.
Then, a Quad 405
upgraded to a Mod Squad 405 (used it for 28 years)
Bryston 8B
Edge M6
Nuforce Reference 9 V3 SE mono amps
did the level 3 upgrade by TDSS (Bob Smith)
got the 500 watt power supplies put in by Bob Smith
did the new CapCellBar upgrade by Bob Smith
Will keep the Ref 9's as long as I they keep working.
Each amp(s) or upgrade was better sounding than its predecessor. A Mitsubishi DA-P10 was my first preamp, then a PS Audio III w/ volume control. Starting in 1989, I used an Audible Illusions 2D preamp, then, in 2008 an
Audible Illusions 3A w/ John Curl phono. And finally in 2015, a TRL DUDE that I did a couple internal upgrades to. It will be kept as long as it keeps working. A tremendous combo with the Ref 9's.
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First "separate was a Pioneer SX626 receiver (1975)
Next was a McIntosh MA6100 (beautiful, well built, but sounded like crap)
Then Hafler DH-200 that I assembled from a kit in 1980 (never had a decent room to play it in)
Then I downsized to a small NAD receiver (descendent of the 3020 in roughly 1990)
Then a Rotel RX-975 A/V stereo receiver (bought around 1998, sounded like crap, poor tuner, broke after warranty expired)
Then a Harmon Kardon HK 3470 stereo receiver (bought factory reconditioned about 2000, sounded great but kept blowing diodes)
Then a pair of used Channel Island Audio DMB 40 watt chip based mono-blocks, bought around 2005 about the same time as commissioned loudspeakers.
Then a pair of used Channel Island Audio D-100 100 watt class D mono-blocks (bought around 2008, slight improvement)
Then a pair of Temple Audio 100 watt mono-blocks from roughly 2015 (pristine sound)
Ran active monitors for a few years...
Now a pair of Temple Audio 100 watt mono-blocks from 2021 (improved dynamics/highs) and back to using my commissioned loudspeakers.
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Embarrassing that I keep a list:
1. Monarchy SM70 monos
2. PS Audio GCC500 modified by Underwood
3. Moscode 401HR
4. Wyred SX1000 monos
5. Wyred SX500 monos
6. Wyred ST250
7. Dodd 120 monos
8. BAT VK500
9. Pass Labs X350.5
10. Sunfire 600
11. Rowland 201 monos
12. Belles 150A Refs as monos
13. TAD Hibachi monos
14. Dared VP-20 monos
15. Cherry 4800A
16. Cherry Plus
17. ATI 602
18. PS Audio Delta 250 monos
19. Hafler 9130
20. Hafler SE240
21. Hafler XL280
22. Electrocompaniet AW220
23. Jolida JD202A
24. AVA something?
25. Xindak ? 200 wpc
26. Tube Research Labs Samson monos
27. AVA Synergy 300
28. Electrocompaniet AW180 monos
29. Wells Inamorata
30. Atmasphere MA-1 Mk II OTL Tube Monoblock Amp Pair with 6C33 Output Tubes
31. Quicksilver V4 monos
32. Plinius SB301
33. Maker NL14+
34. Luxman M800A
35. LTA UL with mircoZOTL pre
36. VTV AMPLIFIER Stereo Purifi Audio 1ET400A Amplifier w/ PR Sonic Imagery Labs 995FET Pro Opamp, WBT-0702.01 TopLine Posts
37. Digital Amplifier Company 2-Cherry
hahaha well seeing bigred's reply, i happen to be sitting here today recovering from some oral surgery i had undergone yesterday, so i got bored and thought for giggles, i would try to think back down through memory lane, and reconstruct my audio journey through various hifi amps
now the op asked for solid state amps only, but i have included all my amps, including tubed ones, and i roughly tried to list these chronologically by decade (i have been at this fun hobby since a teen)
two legend notes -- one is 'SS' marking the solid state units given the op request, and '*' marks what i still have on hand... yes i am a hoarder :) :lol: :lol: :lol:
70s
hh scott 480a
hk 330i receiver SS
yamaha cr 1040 SS
sansui g9000 SS
80s
hafler dh500 SS
hafler 9500 thx SS
nad 2140 SS
nad 3020 SS
kenwood l-07m monos SS
90s
musical reference rm9-ii
musical reference rm10
golden tube audio se-40
aragon 4004 ii SS
acurus dia 100-2 SS
muse 100 SS
arcam alpha 10 SS
pass aleph 3 SS
cary cad 805
cary sli-80
00's to the present
cary 300b sei **
wavelength cardinal xs 300b **
marsh a400s SS
fourier triomphe otl 6as7
47 labs gaincard SS
vac pa 90c **
vac ren 70/70
vac ren 30/30 **
odyssey stratos ** SS
c-j cav 45
c-j prem 11a xs
c-j mf2200 SS
c-j lp70s
arc vsi 55
arc v70 **
arc vt100 mk2 **
arc vt100 mk3
arc vt50
arc 100.2 ** SS
arc ca50
arc vt60 **
arc ref 110 **
arc ref 75 **
air tight atm2 **
audio sector patek se ** SS
hegel h90 SS
hegel h160 SS
hegel rost ** SS
hegel h390 SS
hegel h20 ** SS
primare i-30 ** SS
van alstine synergy 300 ** SS
nuprime ida-8 ** SS
w4s st-250 ** SS
belles aria SS
belles sa30 ** SS
naim nait xs2 w teddycap ** SS
sony ta1-1es ** SS
first watt f5 ** SS
first watt f6 SS
agd audion ** SS
class d mini gan 5 ** SS
linear tube audio zotl40 ref **
audio mirror set40 monos **
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I think my list is pretty short:
Crown DC-300A - the brute
Quatre Gain Cell - great sounding amp, known to blow up. Mine went in to oscillation and took out the mid/woofs on my LS3/5a.
Dynaco MkIII - modified
Threshold 400A - the legend...
Yamaha B2 - this and its bigger brother, the B1, were absolutely amazing amps. Too bad V-FET devices became unobtanium... Used ones still go for quite a bit, but they are near unrepairable.
Hafler DH500 - with Toshiba JFET Cascode driver boards* I built and installed. Talk about an improvement for this old warhorse of an amp!
Kenwood LO7-M - Kenwood's entry into the high end back in the late 70's, and well done. 150 mono amps. I am still using a pair now!
I know there had to be more, but I can't think of any others now...
*if you have a DH500, and you want to make it sound quite a bit better, check out these board kits on Ebay, Fantasiaaudio is a great seller!
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Wow, what a sick mofo :o :rock: :rock:
Now, which is your all time favorite? ha
Can you imagine being able to have a stable system so you could even answer that? Me neither. :(
hahaha well seeing bigred's reply, i happen to be sitting here today recovering from some oral surgery i had undergone yesterday, so i got bored and thought for giggles, i would try to think back down through memory lane, and reconstruct my audio journey through various hifi amps
now the op asked for solid state amps only, but i have included all my amps, including tubed ones, and i roughly tried to list these chronologically by decade (i have been at this fun hobby since a teen)
two legend notes -- one is 'SS' marking the solid state units given the op request, and '*' marks what i still have on hand... yes i am a hoarder :) :lol: :lol: :lol:
70s
hh scott 480a
hk 330i receiver SS
yamaha cr 1040 SS
sansui g9000 SS
80s
hafler dh500 SS
hafler 9500 thx SS
nad 2140 SS
nad 3020 SS
kenwood l-07m monos SS
90s
musical reference rm9-ii
musical reference rm10
golden tube audio se-40
aragon 4004 ii SS
acurus dia 100-2 SS
muse 100 SS
arcam alpha 10 SS
pass aleph 3 SS
cary cad 805
cary sli-80
00's to the present
cary 300b sei **
wavelength cardinal xs 300b **
marsh a400s SS
fourier triomphe otl 6as7
47 labs gaincard SS
vac pa 90c **
vac ren 70/70
vac ren 30/30 **
odyssey stratos ** SS
c-j cav 45
c-j prem 11a xs
c-j mf2200 SS
c-j lp70s
arc vsi 55
arc v70 **
arc vt100 mk2 **
arc vt100 mk3
arc vt50
arc 100.2 ** SS
arc ca50
arc vt60 **
arc ref 110 **
arc ref 75 **
air tight atm2 **
audio sector patek se ** SS
hegel h90 SS
hegel h160 SS
hegel rost ** SS
hegel h390 SS
hegel h20 ** SS
primare i-30 ** SS
van alstine synergy 300 ** SS
nuprime ida-8 ** SS
w4s st-250 ** SS
belles aria SS
belles sa30 ** SS
naim nait xs2 w teddycap ** SS
sony ta1-1es ** SS
first watt f5 ** SS
first watt f6 SS
agd audion ** SS
class d mini gan 5 ** SS
linear tube audio zotl40 ref **
audio mirror set40 monos **
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Here are a few I've had....
Odyssey Stratos
....
currently Classe 100
Kindly write a few words comparing & contrasting the Odyssey & Classe if you can.
TIA,
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Wow, what a sick mofo :o :rock: :rock:
Now, which is your all time favorite? ha
Can you imagine being able to have a stable system so you could even answer that? Me neither. :(
haha bigred -- as you would expect, the reason for the crazy amp journey is the just as crazy speaker journey!!! gotta match the amp to speaker, or no bueno!
overall though i would say, for sane, reasonably friendly to drive speakers, my faves are
arc v70 and ref75 for tube amps
belles/pass/first watt class a solid state, followed by hegel h20/arc 100.2 if more ss watts/grip/current is needed
... and this new agd audion gan thing - it is really really good
for high eff speakers, i still just love the sound of the sweetie pie 8 wpc wavelength cardinals - still keeping those babies for hopes of finding a set of high eff speakers i can live with
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I have tried:
Threshold
Luxman
Harmon Cardon Citation
Yamaha B2 - This is hands down the most organic musical amplifier I have owned.
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I don't keep a list. These are the ones I remember owning, covering the last 25-30 years or so:
- conrad-johnson MF-2300
- Marsh A400S*
- Adcom GFA-555 (stock, then modded by Musical Concepts)
- Bryston 14B SST
- AVA Fet Valve 400R
- Bryston 4B3
- Apollon monoblocks based on PuriFi 1ET400A*
I marked * the ones still owned.
Also auditioned- Sanders Magtech
- Classe CA-2300
- Pass X250.8
Favorites in my main system have been the Apollons, Bryston 14BSST, and AVA FetValve 400R. That's not to say they were the best -- but they were the ones I liked best, considering all factors (sound, heat, weight, noise, etc.).
The Marsh has been doing duty in my desktop system for nearly 10 years now.
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Rotel RA412
Sansui AU-517
Realistic STA-2270
Adcom 555-II
Quad 405
Quad 303
Quad 606
Quad 707
Revox B251
Revox B750
Crown XLS2500
Pioneer A100
Onkyo TX-SR876
Integra DTR 70.4
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Mcintosh 452 ... love it
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Hafler DH-220, I replaced the caps
Dynaco ST-120
Selected because easier access for upgrades and repair. Sound good with my upgraded 1978 Heresy’s.
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Currently for 2 channel sound I have:
McIntosh MC300
Accuphase P360
Nord Acoustics NC500 (Hypex based)
I'm really happy with each of them. I find the newer breed of class D amps (like the Hypex) to be fantastic, with shockingly good measurements, 93% efficiency (they barely get warm), and seemingly endless power to below 2 ohms. I can't help thinking that this is the future of high quality audio reproduction.
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Too many!
Carver M200
Threshold 400A, Statis 2, Statis 3, 200, 300, SA3
Yamaha amps of various power levels from the 80s
Luxman L400
Distec 200
Hafler XL600
McIntosh Mc 2125, Mc 150, 7270
Electrocompainet AW 120
Pirmare A34.2
Devialet 200, D-Premier, 400, 500
And a few I've forgotten :lol: Like Nakamichi PA5, PA7, Adcom 545. Sony S-Master Pro receivers, Pioneer SX-1280
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80s Pioneer
NAD 320BEE*
NAD 325BEE*#
Arcam FMJ A19*
NuPrime IDA-16*#
* still own
# broke
Rotel RB-1590 - Currently used in the system. Fantastic amp.
Cheers,
Scott
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Pioneer SX something in 1970's
Technic's SU7600
Yamaha something in 1980's
Adcom GFR 700
Class D Audio 250
Parasound A21
Currently-
Pass Labs X250
Cary Sl 300.2d Integrated
early 2000's Marantz 2ch receiver
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Embarrassing that I keep a list:
1. Monarchy SM70 monos
2. PS Audio GCC500 modified by Underwood
3. Moscode 401HR
4. Wyred SX1000 monos
5. Wyred SX500 monos
6. Wyred ST250
7. Dodd 120 monos
8. BAT VK500
9. Pass Labs X350.5
10. Sunfire 600
11. Rowland 201 monos
12. Belles 150A Refs as monos
13. TAD Hibachi monos
14. Dared VP-20 monos
15. Cherry 4800A
16. Cherry Plus
17. ATI 602
18. PS Audio Delta 250 monos
19. Hafler 9130
20. Hafler SE240
21. Hafler XL280
22. Electrocompaniet AW220
23. Jolida JD202A
24. AVA something?
25. Xindak ? 200 wpc
26. Tube Research Labs Samson monos
27. AVA Synergy 300
28. Electrocompaniet AW180 monos
29. Wells Inamorata
30. Atmasphere MA-1 Mk II OTL Tube Monoblock Amp Pair with 6C33 Output Tubes
31. Quicksilver V4 monos
32. Plinius SB301
33. Maker NL14+
34. Luxman M800A
35. LTA UL with mircoZOTL pre
36. VTV AMPLIFIER Stereo Purifi Audio 1ET400A Amplifier w/ PR Sonic Imagery Labs 995FET Pro Opamp, WBT-0702.01 TopLine Posts
37. Digital Amplifier Company 2-Cherry
Actually - it makes me feel better :lol: I'd really have to think about all the amps I've owned and it's too much work (to think about the actual models) but some of them include (and I'm sure I'll leave off a few and off the top of head I can't remember all the models):
1. Rotel (probably a couple of models)
2. Denon
3. Amber Series 70
4. Phase Linear 300
5. Phase Linear 400
6. Adcom 555
7. Bryston Power Pac 120s
8. Bryston 4BST
9. Bryston 3BST
10. Bryston 6BSST
11. Bryston 14BSST
12. Proceed HPA-2
13. Proceed HPA-3
14. Proceed BPA-2
15. Proceed BPA-3
16. Marantz MA-700s
17. Wyred4Sound mAmps
18. Hegel H190
19. Mivera SE
20. Modwright KWA150SE
21. EVS1200
22. LSA Voyager (modded)
23. SAE 3100
24. NAD
25. Dynaco ST-70 (but that's tube of course
26. Emotiva XPA200
27. Onkyo
28. Adcom 535
29. Class D Audio mini GaN amp
I feel much better now that I've confessed :duh:
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I find the newer breed of class D amps (like the Hypex) to be fantastic, with shockingly good measurements, 93% efficiency
(they barely get warm), and seemingly endless power to below 2 ohms. I can't help thinking that this is the future of high quality audio reproduction.
I think the same thing. I am gobsmacked by how good my Apollon amps are, with PuriFi 1ET400A modules. It is certainly a case of good -- astoundingly good -- measurements resulting in outstanding sound. They are load-invariant, drive tricky loads with ease, and like the Ncores, they never get hot.
For rational audiophiles -- not swayed by extra sugar or audio jewelry -- well implemented Class D can indeed be the path to high quality audio reproduction.
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Working my way backward. As this is from memory, I'm sure there'll be a few left out.
Benchmark AHB2 (current and final amp)
Rega Elicit
Exposure 2010S2
Audio Analogue (model?)
Harman Kardon HK3560 (recapped for winter project)
Simaudio i7
Proceed BPA-2
Proceed BPA-3
Proceed Amp2
B&K 125.2
First Watt M2
Wyred4Sound mAMP
Hafler DH220 (several of them after recap)
Primare 30.2
Primare I30
Harman Kardon PA2200 (recapped/rewired)
Bel Canto S500 with Pre3
Bel Canto eVo2i
PS Audio Trio A100
Rotel RB981
Classe CAP-150
Portal Panache
Sansui B-2101
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I think the same thing. I am gobsmacked by how good my Apollon amps are, with PuriFi 1ET400A modules. It is certainly a case of good -- astoundingly good -- measurements resulting in outstanding sound. They are load-invariant, drive tricky loads with ease, and like the Ncores, they never get hot.
For rational audiophiles -- not swayed by extra sugar or audio jewelry -- well implemented Class D can indeed be the path to high quality audio reproduction.
Gobsmacked is certainly the word! The Apollon's are new to me; I'll have to check them out, thanks. With my Nord NC500DM MKii I got the Sparkos input buffers and I'm totally satisfied. I would be curious to compare then to the Benchmark AHB2s, but I have a suspicion my ears are not golden enough to tell the difference. Gold plated maybe...
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Class D amps certainly have come a long way over the past 15 to 20 years. For example, the Primare A35 received a Class A recommendation from Stereophile.
IMHO, the approach taken by Devialet, Analog Digital Hybrid (ADH),where the Class D section provides the current, while a Class A amp supplies the voltage, is far and away the best sounding implementation of Class D to date. The concept really isn't that new, as it's a variation of the Peter Walker current dumping approach. Having the DAC integrated into the amp also helps with the sonics. To me, they sound better than any of the Class D amps I've come across. So far, they are the only company that does this. I assume it's because they have a patent on the approach.
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Class D amps certainly have come a long way over the past 15 to 20 years. For example, the Primare A35 received a Class A recommendation from Stereophile.
IMHO, the approach taken by Devialet, Analog Digital Hybrid (ADH),where the Class D section provides the current, while a Class A amp supplies the voltage, is far and away the best sounding implementation of Class D to date. The concept really isn't that new, as it's a variation of the Peter Walker current dumping approach. Having the DAC integrated into the amp also helps with the sonics. To me, they sound better than any of the Class D amps I've come across. So far, they are the only company that does this. I assume it's because they have a patent on the approach.
Very interesting. I'm certainly familiar with the current dumping topology, so this sounds like a very appealing approach. But far beyond my budget! The Nord was a real stretch for me. Hopefully I get a chance to hear them at some point though!
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Devialet is pricey new. However, second hand prices are not that bad, considering one gets a preamp, phono, DAC, and power amp. Plus, you save on buying interconnects.
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Lol, some of y’all need AA (Audiophile Anonymous)! :lol: :thumb:
I buy for the long haul, hence my very short list.
A pair of Hafler DH200 (1982 - 2010)
Parasound Classic 5250 (2010 - present)
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Lol, some of y’all need AA (Audiophile Anonymous)! :lol: :thumb:
I buy for the long haul, hence my very short list.
A pair of Hafler DH200 (1982 - 2010)
Parasound Classic 5250 (2010 - present)
As Bubba J says: "AA is for quitters" :green: [size=78%] [/size]
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Devialet is pricey new. However, second hand prices are not that bad, considering one gets a preamp, phono, DAC, and power amp. Plus, you save on buying interconnects.
Excellent point! It's a lot of equipment for the cost.
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Rogue Pharaoh
McIntosh MA7900
McIntosh MA9000
Pass INT-30A
Yamaha M-5000
McIntosh MC275 MK VI
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Hmmmm. Hard to remember them all.
Acurus A150
Hafler DH-200
Audire Crescendo and Tenendo
Bedini 25/25
Counterpoint SA-100
Pass Aleph 0s
Pass ACA
Now it's all tubes for me because tubes are better.
*ducking*
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Hmmmm. Hard to remember them all.
Acurus A150
Hafler DH-200
Audire Crescendo and Tenendo
Bedini 25/25
Counterpoint SA-100
Pass Aleph 0s
Pass ACA
Now it's all tubes for me because tubes are better.
*ducking*
Heh heh!
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B&K AVR 307
Odyssey monos inc “glass ceiling”
Bryston 7BSST (now used for biamping below 250HZ)
ModWright KWA 150 then upgraded to SE x 2 (center and surround amps)
Pass Labs X250.8 (biamp over 200Hz)
Proceed Amp 5 (bedroom system)
May try VAC 200iQ for highs at some point.
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Pioneer, Technics and Marantz receivers
Nakamichi Receiver 2
Musical Fidelity M1PWR's
Audio Research 100.2
Peachtree Audio iNova (SS with a tube buffer)
NuForce Reference 9 V3 SE's
Odyssey Audio Kismets
Morrison ELAD preamp
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aragon 4004 (5 years)
krell FPB 300 (5 years)
krell FPB 600 (10 years)
modwright KWA 100 SE (10 years)
ampzilla 2000 second edition (10 years)
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This is a fun memory exercise. :)
- Audio Research D-52B (for a very long time...)
- (...some budget British integrated amp whose name I can't remember)
- NuPime integrated IDA-something
- Schiit Audio Aegir
- PS Audio M700
- PS Audio M1200
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In the past I've owned too many solid state amps, and 80% I regretted.
My two favorites were an Accuphase intergrated, and my Odyssey Stratos mono blocks with the glass ceiling mods. My least favorites were several Adcom amps. I had an Onkyo intergrated once that was better than most anything else
gary
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hahaha well seeing bigred's reply, i happen to be sitting here today recovering from some oral surgery i had undergone yesterday, so i got bored and thought for giggles, i would try to think back down through memory lane, and reconstruct my audio journey through various hifi amps
now the op asked for solid state amps only, but i have included all my amps, including tubed ones, and i roughly tried to list these chronologically by decade (i have been at this fun hobby since a teen)
two legend notes -- one is 'SS' marking the solid state units given the op request, and '*' marks what i still have on hand... yes i am a hoarder :) :lol: :lol: :lol:
70s
hh scott 480a
hk 330i receiver SS
yamaha cr 1040 SS
sansui g9000 SS
80s
hafler dh500 SS
hafler 9500 thx SS
nad 2140 SS
nad 3020 SS
kenwood l-07m monos SS
90s
musical reference rm9-ii
musical reference rm10
golden tube audio se-40
aragon 4004 ii SS
acurus dia 100-2 SS
muse 100 SS
arcam alpha 10 SS
pass aleph 3 SS
cary cad 805
cary sli-80
00's to the present
cary 300b sei **
wavelength cardinal xs 300b **
marsh a400s SS
fourier triomphe otl 6as7
47 labs gaincard SS
vac pa 90c **
vac ren 70/70
vac ren 30/30 **
odyssey stratos ** SS
c-j cav 45
c-j prem 11a xs
c-j mf2200 SS
c-j lp70s
arc vsi 55
arc v70 **
arc vt100 mk2 **
arc vt100 mk3
arc vt50
arc 100.2 ** SS
arc ca50
arc vt60 **
arc ref 110 **
arc ref 75 **
air tight atm2 **
audio sector patek se ** SS
hegel h90 SS
hegel h160 SS
hegel rost ** SS
hegel h390 SS
hegel h20 ** SS
primare i-30 ** SS
van alstine synergy 300 ** SS
nuprime ida-8 ** SS
w4s st-250 ** SS
belles aria SS
belles sa30 ** SS
naim nait xs2 w teddycap ** SS
sony ta1-1es ** SS
first watt f5 ** SS
first watt f6 SS
agd audion ** SS
class d mini gan 5 ** SS
linear tube audio zotl40 ref **
audio mirror set40 monos **
I can't approach that list, but we share a couple in common:
ARC 100.2: One of the great amps that I have owned.
NuPrime IDA-8: Still on my desktop, and not going anywhere until it croaks.
Close:
conrad-johnson CAV-50 (not sure how it compares to the CAV-45, but I love it.)
Odyssey Kismet mono's - My current #1.
A SS "preamp" that I have in storage because of no remote control, but is amazing: Morrison E.L.A.D.
I wonder what your feelings are on the VT-100 mkII. Although technically OT since it is a tube amp, the reason I ask is that it was this very amp driving the Magnepan 3.6's that made me decide to get the Maggies. Still one of the best sound combinations that I recall having ever heard, regardless of price. My dealer Harry at Audio Dimensions was undoubtedly pairing the amp with one of ARC's best preamps at the time. I don't recall which one it was, but it was around 1999 or so. Curious about how you rank the VT100 mkII among the many amps that you have owned.
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After having active and powered speakers for my younger years
Yamaha WXA-50
NAD D3045 ( a couple times)
Powernode 2i
Lyngdorf TDAI 1120
NAD C399 (Current)
Quad Vena II (Current)
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"I wonder what your feelings are on the VT-100 mkII. Although technically OT since it is a tube amp, the reason I ask is that it was this very amp driving the Magnepan 3.6's that made me decide to get the Maggies. Still one of the best sound combinations that I recall having ever heard, regardless of price. My dealer Harry at Audio Dimensions was undoubtedly pairing the amp with one of ARC's best preamps at the time. I don't recall which one it was, but it was around 1999 or so. Curious about how you rank the VT100 mkII among the many amps that you have owned."
I still have mine, it is a lovely amp, and I like being able to roll 6dj8's in the input stage instead of the Russian supertube you are locked into for later amps of this lineage
No doubt there is synergy between the more powerful ARC tube amps and Maggies big and small. Am sure you are well aware of the histories of the two companies, the two founders, and how intertwined these companies have been. Maggies are still used by Leonard in the ARC main listening room where all amps produced are run and listened to.
I would say that modern Maggies are now voiced warmer than before, so the main sonic synergy of two historically (the ARC tube amps delivering a slightly rolled off top end with vast imaging, much needed midrange warmth and excellent midbass/bass drive - the latter for a tube amp) is a touch less critical than in the past, driving the leaner sounding older gen Maggies. I think this is a reason why modern very high grade SS amps do so well with modern Maggies.
All that said, the VT100-2 is a keeper, it is a lovely amp, delivers the goods at what is now a modest price (assuming you can keep the amp running in tip top shape, which requires some effort and expense).