The best tube (hybrid) amplifier in the world ?

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Virgil Naf

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The best tube (hybrid) amplifier in the world ?
« on: 21 Apr 2022, 07:08 am »
Butler Monad A100 the best tube (hybrid) amplifier in the world.
Possible ?  :dunno:
That's what the BK Butler says about it.
https://butleraudio.com/esoteric.php

Description and some pictures on AudioCircle from 2015:
https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=131989.msg1397136#msg1397136








Scroof Neachy

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Re: The best tube (hybrid) amplifier in the world ?
« Reply #1 on: 21 Apr 2022, 03:40 pm »
I’m happy to see that they’re also involved in car audio. Makes them seem more legit.  :icon_lol:

S Clark

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Re: The best tube (hybrid) amplifier in the world ?
« Reply #2 on: 21 Apr 2022, 04:16 pm »
Butler must have upped it game considerably to be considered among the top, much less THE top.  I looked at them several years back and went with Moscode instead. 

Virgil Naf

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Re: The best tube (hybrid) amplifier in the world ?
« Reply #3 on: 21 Apr 2022, 04:49 pm »
Butler must have upped it game considerably to be considered among the top, much less THE top.  I looked at them several years back and went with Moscode instead.

Hi,
What didn't you like about Monad ?
Why did you go to Moscode, what model ?

planet10

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Re: The best tube (hybrid) amplifier in the world ?
« Reply #4 on: 21 Apr 2022, 05:37 pm »
Best? There is no best. Just sets of compromise.

For instance, what speaker is it being coupled with?

dave

Virgil Naf

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Re: The best tube (hybrid) amplifier in the world ?
« Reply #5 on: 21 Apr 2022, 05:54 pm »


Best? There is no best. Just sets of compromise.

For instance, what speaker is it being coupled with?

dave

Virgil Naf

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Re: The best tube (hybrid) amplifier in the world ?
« Reply #6 on: 21 Apr 2022, 06:31 pm »


Best? There is no best. Just sets of compromise.

For instance, what speaker is it being coupled with?

dave

Virgil Naf

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Re: The best tube (hybrid) amplifier in the world ?
« Reply #7 on: 21 Apr 2022, 06:32 pm »


Best? There is no best. Just sets of compromise.

For instance, what speaker is it being coupled with?

dave

Virgil Naf

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Re: The best tube (hybrid) amplifier in the world ?
« Reply #8 on: 21 Apr 2022, 06:32 pm »


Best? There is no best. Just sets of compromise.

For instance, what speaker is it being coupled with?

dave

S Clark

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Re: The best tube (hybrid) amplifier in the world ?
« Reply #9 on: 21 Apr 2022, 08:03 pm »
I looked at the Butler TBD 2250.  It wasn't as refined as the Moscode 401HR in either the bass or vocals. 

jjss49

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Re: The best tube (hybrid) amplifier in the world ?
« Reply #10 on: 21 Apr 2022, 10:20 pm »
the best... yep... gotta have the best, be the best, best best best...  :duh:


munosmario

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Re: The best tube (hybrid) amplifier in the world ?
« Reply #11 on: 21 Apr 2022, 10:30 pm »
I looked at the Butler TBD 2250.  It wasn't as refined as the Moscode 401HR in either the bass or vocals.

S Clark, not exactly a meaningful comparison: The Monad A-100 is the Company's flagship, a $20,000 per pair monobloc proposition--clearly in the "Esoteric Audio" class. The TDB 2250 is about $3000 and corresponds to the Company's modular "Home Theater" variety that contains just their 2-channel module. In turn, for further perspective, the Moscode 401HR is about $5000, right?

Best

Dieterle Tool

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Re: The best tube (hybrid) amplifier in the world ?
« Reply #12 on: 21 Apr 2022, 11:17 pm »
I've heard them, definitely recall the experience being on par with the upper echelon. The price makes them an outstanding option. But I like Haflers, Pass' and Bernings. So, grain of salt.

And btw, those are gorgeous! And the pairing with (I assume) TAD CR series...  :thumb:

-Dieter

munosmario

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Re: The best tube (hybrid) amplifier in the world ?
« Reply #13 on: 22 Apr 2022, 03:17 am »
I've heard them, definitely recall the experience being on par with the upper echelon. The price makes them an outstanding option. But I like Haflers, Pass' and Bernings. So, grain of salt.

And btw, those are gorgeous! And the pairing with (I assume) TAD CR series...  :thumb:

-Dieter

Dieter, when you say "I've heard them, definitely recall the experience being on par with the upper echelon. The price makes them an outstanding option," by "them" are you referring to the TDB 2250? If yes and by "upper echelon" you mean a pair of the Monad 100A's, do you mean that you had the opportunity to listen to both of them?

Thanks and all the best

S Clark

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Re: The best tube (hybrid) amplifier in the world ?
« Reply #14 on: 22 Apr 2022, 12:05 pm »
S Clark, not exactly a meaningful comparison: The Monad A-100 is the Company's flagship, a $20,000 per pair monobloc proposition--clearly in the "Esoteric Audio" class. The TDB 2250 is about $3000 and corresponds to the Company's modular "Home Theater" variety that contains just their 2-channel module. In turn, for further perspective, the Moscode 401HR is about $5000, right?

Best
I'm aware.  But it's the only experience I've got.  I've never been in the market for a $20 000 dollar amp, cartridge, or speakers, or anything else.. just not where I'm going to allocate resources.  My wealth area is such that I can piss away hundreds, not thousand.  My thing is used amps, kit speakers, used cables.


By the way, nice clock!

Dieterle Tool

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Re: The best tube (hybrid) amplifier in the world ?
« Reply #15 on: 22 Apr 2022, 12:19 pm »
Them = Butler amps.

Sorry for not being clear. It was a 2 channel, 2250 in a private setting with Magnepans. The amp design is unique in that it doesn't employ output transformer and I found "them" to have power and finesse. Similar to, the more expensive, D. Berning's amps that I am familiar with.

-Dieter

munosmario

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Re: The best tube (hybrid) amplifier in the world ?
« Reply #16 on: 22 Apr 2022, 06:12 pm »
Them = Butler amps.

Sorry for not being clear. It was a 2 channel, 2250 in a private setting with Magnepans. The amp design is unique in that it doesn't employ output transformer and I found "them" to have power and finesse. Similar to, the more expensive, D. Berning's amps that I am familiar with.

-Dieter

Thank you, Dieter, most appreciated.

Nick B

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Re: The best tube (hybrid) amplifier in the world ?
« Reply #17 on: 23 Apr 2022, 12:54 am »
The Butler Monad is an amp I’d love to hear someday. I became aware of it around 2006 because of AC member Double Ugly. He had the Monads and the SP Tech speakers as well. I see he hasn’t been active here since early 2020.

https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?action=search2

Virgil Naf

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Re: The best tube (hybrid) amplifier in the world ?
« Reply #18 on: 23 Apr 2022, 06:49 am »
The Butler Monad is an amp I’d love to hear someday. I became aware of it around 2006 because of AC member Double Ugly. He had the Monads and the SP Tech speakers as well. I see he hasn’t been active here since early 2020.

https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?action=search2

Hi Nick B,
I tried to contact Double Ugly (I sent him a PM, here), unfortunately he didn't answer me.
If anyone knows something about him, please write to me. Thanks.

FullRangeMan

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Re: The best tube (hybrid) amplifier in the world ?
« Reply #19 on: 23 Apr 2022, 07:18 am »
Hi Nick B,
I tried to contact Double Ugly (I sent him a PM, here), unfortunately he didn't answer me.
If anyone knows something about him, please write to me. Thanks.
Double Ugly was a elder and dont logon since Feb2020.