Solid state amps that you have all used

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jonson3459

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Solid state amps that you have all used
« on: 5 Oct 2021, 01:58 am »
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!

dpatters

Re: Solid state amps that you have all used
« Reply #1 on: 5 Oct 2021, 11:12 am »
Enjoying my Kinki Studio EX-B7 mono block class AB amplifiers.

Don P

Samac

Re: Solid state amps that you have all used
« Reply #2 on: 5 Oct 2021, 01:00 pm »
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

Rocket

Re: Solid state amps that you have all used
« Reply #3 on: 5 Oct 2021, 02:00 pm »
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

I.Greyhound Fan

Re: Solid state amps that you have all used
« Reply #4 on: 5 Oct 2021, 04:27 pm »
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.

mcmusicman

Re: Solid state amps that you have all used
« Reply #5 on: 5 Oct 2021, 05:26 pm »
MCS
Technics
Pioneer
Onkyo
Odyssey
Bryston 4B3 -  Done.   I am out of the SS amp buying game.


I.Greyhound Fan

Re: Solid state amps that you have all used
« Reply #6 on: 5 Oct 2021, 05:27 pm »
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?

dpatters

Re: Solid state amps that you have all used
« Reply #7 on: 5 Oct 2021, 05:56 pm »
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.

WGH

Re: Solid state amps that you have all used
« Reply #8 on: 5 Oct 2021, 06:45 pm »
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)

I.Greyhound Fan

Re: Solid state amps that you have all used
« Reply #9 on: 5 Oct 2021, 06:48 pm »
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.

Early B.

Re: Solid state amps that you have all used
« Reply #10 on: 5 Oct 2021, 06:55 pm »
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!

E-Zee

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Re: Solid state amps that you have all used
« Reply #11 on: 5 Oct 2021, 07:10 pm »
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.

dpatters

Re: Solid state amps that you have all used
« Reply #12 on: 5 Oct 2021, 07:18 pm »
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

mcgsxr

Re: Solid state amps that you have all used
« Reply #13 on: 5 Oct 2021, 07:24 pm »
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

mgalusha

Re: Solid state amps that you have all used
« Reply #14 on: 5 Oct 2021, 07:26 pm »
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.

Nick B

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Re: Solid state amps that you have all used
« Reply #15 on: 5 Oct 2021, 07:32 pm »
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



Craig B

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Re: Solid state amps that you have all used
« Reply #16 on: 5 Oct 2021, 07:54 pm »
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.

twitch54

Re: Solid state amps that you have all used
« Reply #17 on: 5 Oct 2021, 09:45 pm »
Long time Nelson Pass fan, Threshold back in the eighties and currently a pair of X260.8 mono blocks.

dpatters

Re: Solid state amps that you have all used
« Reply #18 on: 5 Oct 2021, 10:03 pm »
 
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.

rockadanny

Re: Solid state amps that you have all used
« Reply #19 on: 5 Oct 2021, 10:49 pm »
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.