Fet Valve 550 Ultra - Anyone in southeast to audition?

rockadanny · « **on:** 9 Apr 2006, 03:07 am »

Before I decide to buy my next amp I'd really like to audition a Fet Valve Ultra 550 (or non Ultra, or even the 350). Anyone out there within 180 miles of Atlanta who wouldn't mind me dropping by for 30 minutes to hear theirs? I'll buy the drinks and pizza.

Also, anyone have experience using an integrated amp (pre-outs) as a source for a Fet Valve?

I will be auditioning the Musical Fidelity A5 (integrated - 250 w) next.

Nick B · « **Reply #1 on:** 9 Apr 2006, 03:27 am »

I'd like to do the same. Any AVA amp owners near Las Vegas or Salt Lake City?

rockadanny · « **Reply #2 on:** 20 Apr 2006, 12:14 pm »

Oh well, never mind. I ordered the Fet Valve Ultra 350, unheard. I sure hope: a) the sound is worth it; b) it has enough power and/or less distortion (it is rated at double the power of my current integrated - will 3 more dB plus less distortion be enough to satisfy my rock jones?); and c) it matches up well with the pre-amp on my integrated. I know, I can return it if I don't like it. But for me, $76 (round trip shipping) is alot of money to audition an amplifier. (Not a complaint against AVA, just estrogen dominate whining.)

budyog · « **Reply #3 on:** 20 Apr 2006, 01:58 pm »

Rockadanny, Being an owner of an AVA 350EXR, You will not be disappointed.

Mine is more than Frank said it would be and I am sure yours will be too! I will upgrade to the Ultra someday unless I have to sell it to buy gas.

warnerwh · « **Reply #4 on:** 21 Apr 2006, 07:47 am »

I recently purchased a 550EXR rev. 5. This amp is truly outstanding. It's clearly the most refined amplifier I've heard. It's only been 2 days though. It will be replacing a Blue Circle hybrid if it keeps up the way it is. I think you're in for a pleasant surprise. It's certainly unique in that the smoothness and naturalness are the best I've heard through my Vmps RM 40's which are quite revealing to say the least.

I'll appreciate your thoughts after you've listened for a while. The one thing I've been wondering with these two hybrid amps here is how come hybrid amps are so uncommon. Both of these amps are outstanding and pretty much shame the typical SS amps that I've heard and owned. I'd put the 550 up against pretty much anything regardless of price. I've not heard everything by a long shot but the refinement of the amplifier is truly outstanding. Until you've heard it there's no way you can really appreciate what people try to tell you unless you know them and even then it's hard to understand because until these last two days I've not heard this kind of quality from an amplifier.

My last amp was an Innersound ESL which has kept very many people quite happy. People on the Planar asylum at AA love it. It is an excellent amp. It was 3 grand new and Absolute Sound gave it the best of the best award in 2001. The AVA 550EXR rev5 simply outclasses it for almost a grand less. It's not even a contest, at least with my Vmps RM 40's.