[ebag4]

I am driving my Wedgies with my Bottlehead 2a3 amp, it has a Ifi tube buffer in front of it, the Ifi is set for 6dB gain.  The sound is outstanding, the issue is heat in the summer. 

I am looking for a solid state or digital amp that is cool running and has tone and fluidity of the bottlehead.   It will be fed from my Auralic Vega DAC with or without the Ifi in the circuit.  I think I would like to try the balanced connections out of the Vega without the Cardas SE adapter so an amp that has balanced in would be a plus.

I am not certain how much power I can have and still allow the volume control on the Vega to reach 50 at typical SPLs.

Any and all recommendations are appreciated. Trying to keep it in the <$1K range.

Best,
Ed

[HAL]

Have you tried any of the ChipAmp style Class AB amps?

They are available as kits and the LM1875 version is power scalable up to 25 watts. 

The design will allow for balanced inputs, which I am trying with my setup.

[mlundy57]

Danny and Gary Dodd are working on what you are looking for. I don't know what they have available right now. Hopefully Danny will chime in on this. I'm looking for something similar to drive my LGK 1.0's.

Currently, the SS amp I am using with my Wedgies is a NAD C372 stereo amp.  Massive over kill I know but it is what I had on hand. A good thing about most of the NAD integrated stereo amps, except the most basic model, is that it has at least one preamp output and a power amp input. Quite a few of them, like the C372, have two preamp outputs, one of which has a variable gain. The fixed preamp out is jumpered to the power amp in. So in reality, most of the NAD integrated stereo amps function more like separates. I bought it used off Audiogon for $350.

[Danny Richie]

Give me a call Ed. I might have just what you're looking for.

[Tyson]

Odyssey Audio is probably the best sounding inexpensive SS amp that a tube lover might be able to live with.  And they really don't run very warm at all, certainly cooler than the other best option under $1k, which is the First Watt DIY stuff.

[ebag4]

Thanks for the replies guys, much appreciated.

Tyson, I saw a post by you that stated you are building the Burning Amp BA3 balanced.  I don't know much about them but is it safe to say that they will run hot similar to the Firstwatt amps?  I have had an F5 clone and it ran quite hot.

Best,
Ed

[Tyson]

Yes, just as hot as the F5 - all of them are full on class A, so no surprise there!

[ebag4]

Yes, just as hot as the F5 - all of them are full on class A, so no surprise there!

Thanks, I didn't know if the burning amp designs were running class a.

[tasar]

Hey Ed, now I know why the Mini went on the blocks. Are you enjoying the Vega integration with the Aries by chance ? Been thinking about the same. Anyway, if it's cool you want I still enjoy my ice amp ( 2nd system) and W4S has come along way under Sarmento. Balanced and unbalanced inputs, a little more than you want to spend, but a very smooth analog voice much like you're BHs. I prefer them over the Hypex clones. Cheers, Dave

[ebag4]

Hey Dave!  Yes, I am enjoying the Aries/Vega combo, really nice step up for my system.  However, the difference in sound between my Mac Mini (battery powered, SSD, Audirvana +, etc) and the Aries was not as great as others have heard in their systems, although The Aries prevailed the Mac was really good.  The improvement in UI took it over the top.  I am really enjoying Tidal as well, sounds great and I am hearing a lot of different music that I wouldn't have otherwise heard.

Thanks for the heads up on the w4s, I read the 6 moons review.  I know I mentioned that I wanted to find something with the characteristics of my BH in the OP, instead I think I am going to try a chip amp kit or possibly wait on something that Gary and Danny have cooking, or try both!  I am looking at building the Modulus-86 amp Anand pointed me to http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/vendors-bazaar/262273-modulus-86-composite-amplifier-achieving-0-0004-thd-n.html.  I realize it is a departure from what I have been running, but I have a pretty good front end and some great speakers, I think I may be able to get by with a "wire with gain" type amp.  If not, the price of admission is not too high to give it a shot anyway.

Best,
Ed

[Folsom]

Have any of you tried a 7297? I'm hoping Danny has some Wedgies around when my tour item makes it that way.

[Joemamma]

Working on upgrading my system and wedgies this summer.  Right now my wedgies are being driven by an ati two channel amp. Pre is an onkyo receiver.  Speakers are part of an ht system so I want to keep the onkyo in the mix.  Source is a Mac mini using a music streamer II+ Dac.  I also listen to a lot of YouTube through my ps4.  Thinking of upgrading the amp.  Also, thinking about upgrading Dac if it would make a difference.  Just looking for some ideas that are reasonable.