Solid state amps that you have all used

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Early B.

Re: Solid state amps that you have all used
« Reply #20 on: 5 Oct 2021, 11:23 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.

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.

SteveFord

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Re: Solid state amps that you have all used
« Reply #21 on: 5 Oct 2021, 11:27 pm »
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.


rockadanny

Re: Solid state amps that you have all used
« Reply #22 on: 6 Oct 2021, 12:15 am »
Quote
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.

timind

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Re: Solid state amps that you have all used
« Reply #23 on: 6 Oct 2021, 12:47 am »
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.

Ice10

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Re: Solid state amps that you have all used
« Reply #24 on: 6 Oct 2021, 03:29 am »
I’ve found my end game amp, the Pass INT-60.  It cured my upgradetitus…

toocool4

Re: Solid state amps that you have all used
« Reply #25 on: 6 Oct 2021, 07:23 am »
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.

TomS

Re: Solid state amps that you have all used
« Reply #26 on: 6 Oct 2021, 09:37 am »
Sooooo many, it made my head hurt. I settled on the Modwright KWH 225i hybrid integrated and enjoy it even more so every day.

Big Red Machine

Re: Solid state amps that you have all used
« Reply #27 on: 6 Oct 2021, 10:20 am »
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

/mp

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Re: Solid state amps that you have all used
« Reply #28 on: 6 Oct 2021, 11:20 am »
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.



Letitroll98

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Re: Solid state amps that you have all used
« Reply #29 on: 6 Oct 2021, 11:38 am »
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.

zapper7

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Re: Solid state amps that you have all used
« Reply #30 on: 6 Oct 2021, 01:17 pm »
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

mav52

Re: Solid state amps that you have all used
« Reply #31 on: 6 Oct 2021, 01:41 pm »
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
« Last Edit: 6 Oct 2021, 04:29 pm by mav52 »

FullRangeMan

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Re: Solid state amps that you have all used
« Reply #32 on: 6 Oct 2021, 01:54 pm »
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 ?

mav52

Re: Solid state amps that you have all used
« Reply #33 on: 6 Oct 2021, 02:15 pm »
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.

sirius42

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Re: Solid state amps that you have all used
« Reply #34 on: 6 Oct 2021, 03:13 pm »
I enjoy my Bryston 4B SST2 with my Maggie 1.7i's. 

minatophase3

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Re: Solid state amps that you have all used
« Reply #35 on: 6 Oct 2021, 03:57 pm »
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.

Elizabeth

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Re: Solid state amps that you have all used
« Reply #36 on: 6 Oct 2021, 05:46 pm »
Best solid state amps I have owned... ever:
Forte' 4
Bryston 4B-SST²
« Last Edit: 7 Oct 2021, 06:13 pm by Elizabeth »

FullRangeMan

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Re: Solid state amps that you have all used
« Reply #37 on: 7 Oct 2021, 08:45 am »
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.

Bob Stark

Re: Solid state amps that you have all used
« Reply #38 on: 7 Oct 2021, 12:09 pm »
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.           


JLM

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Re: Solid state amps that you have all used
« Reply #39 on: 7 Oct 2021, 01:36 pm »
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.