[gongos]

I'm trying to ween myself away from tube amps to biamp my RM2's with--don't like the hassle of dealing with tham. I'm looking for a SS amp with fantastic midrange and treble reproduction somewhere in the $1500 used range. Any suggestions?

I have some Odyssey Khartago monos I'm using right now--they're very nice--but I'd like to hear some other suggestions.

[opnly bafld]

I have RM40s and they really like the hybrid amps from Monarchy Audio, very good sound top to bottom.

Lin

[arthurs]

If your budget has any flex in I'd look into some used Herron M150's.....

[crossroadazn]

For $1700 you can get a McIntosh MC-202  sometimes on A'gon.

[warnerwh]

Have you ever heard of Van Alstine? They make hybrid tube amps but the tubes last a long time. Excellent midrange and treble reproduction on that brand of speakers you have. I really like mine.

[TheChairGuy]

FINALLY - you cranked those bad boys up 

Yeah, they are great, but they aren't to be confused with tube amps in the midrange and treble.  They are definitely the best overall SS compromise I've ever owned, however. Just wickedly good for the price and for SS amps of nearly any price.

The only SS amps that made me believe they had tube-like midrange, treble and overall timber was a French-made YBA amp - very smooth with SS man-sacks    I think it was some $5K tho (new).  I've seen them around for half of that used (dual mono/transformer units) from time to time on A'gaon.

Certainly, there is AVA and also Monarchy for reasonably priced, high powered SS/tube amps that might fit the bill, too.  Used Counterpoint, too.

I'm trying to ween myself away from tube amps to biamp my RM2's with--don't like the hassle of dealing with tham. I'm looking for a SS amp with fantastic midrange and treble reproduction somewhere in the $1500 used range. Any suggestions?

I have some Odyssey Khartago monos I'm using right now--they're very nice--but I'd like to hear some other suggestions.

[gongos]

Have you ever heard of Van Alstine? They make hybrid tube amps but the tubes last a long time. Excellent midrange and treble reproduction on that brand of speakers you have. I really like mine.

Too bad they come up used once a year.

[lonewolfny42]

I'm looking for a SS amp with fantastic midrange and treble reproduction somewhere in the $1500 used range. Any suggestions?

Another hybrid....Butler 2250. Two were recently sold on Audiogon....$1,450. and $1,650....in your price range. You might also watch for a Belles or McCormick....

[TONEPUB]

The Aleph 3 and 5 from Nelson Pass.  The three is 30wpc and the 5 is 60wpc
Two of the best sounding ss amps I have ever heard.  Used to have an Aleph 3
and just bought one of Nelson's new First Watt amps, the F3 to replace my
WAVAC SET.   Between 8-1500

Another great SS integrated (though I don't know if this is enough power, or
you want an integrated) is the Sugden A21SE  30wpc class a and its fantastic!

New they are about 3k, but you should be able to find a used one for about 1800...

[Russell Dawkins]

Jeff,
I am curious as to how the Aleph 3 or 5 would compare to the F3.

Have you heard any of the new Lyngdorfs? The SDA 2175 almost fits within the $1500 budget at $1690.

Here it is compared to the Sugden A21:   http://tinyurl.com/26c3oy

The reviewer obviously likes both, but it is hard to imagine how they compare from what is written.

[Loftprojection]

I have a Audio Aero Prima MKII hybrid that performs very well in the areas you listed.  It is based on a miniature tube that is solded so no tube rolling and the tube is rated for well over 10000h so no worries.  People that have listened to my setup always say it has some kind of tube smoothness without sounding like a tube amp.  I'm not much of an audiophile to describe sound but I definitely like the sound it produces.  There is one every now and then popping up on audiogon, usually a bit less then your budget.

[macrojack]

If 30 watts will do it, look no further than the Red Wine Audio Signature 30 from our own Vinnie Rossi. Smooth and assertive. Articulate and sonorous. Can be used as an integrated. I love mine driving Zu Def Pros.
It replaced an Aleph 30.

[guest1632]

I'm trying to ween myself away from tube amps to biamp my RM2's with--don't like the hassle of dealing with tham. I'm looking for a SS amp with fantastic midrange and treble reproduction somewhere in the $1500 used range. Any suggestions?

I have some Odyssey Khartago monos I'm using right now--they're very nice--but I'd like to hear some other suggestions.

I've been hearing a lot of good things about the SKA amps. To build the 300D amp, it'll cost you about just under a grand. Another kit is from Hugh Dean's LifeForce amps, roughly $1400. Both amps will give you what you're looking for.

Ray

[TONEPUB]

Jeff,
I am curious as to how the Aleph 3 or 5 would compare to the F3.

Have you heard any of the new Lyngdorfs? The SDA 2175 almost fits within the $1500 budget at $1690.

Here it is compared to the Sugden A21:   http://tinyurl.com/26c3oy

The reviewer obviously likes both, but it is hard to imagine how they compare from what is written.

Russ, thanks to the Power Jfets (the Alephs have power Mosfets), it is a bit less grainy and clear sounding than even the Aleph 3, which was one of my favorite amps of all time.  However, I needed more juice, so I replaced my Aleph 3 with a Conrad Johnson Premier 350.

But, we had the F3 in for review and I ended up liking it so much, I bought the review sample.  It is actually replacing my WAVAC MD-300B in my SET system, driving a pair of Rethms...

However, in about two weeks, the new issue of TONE-Audio will be out and there will be a full review of the F3.  It is a fantastic amp, the cleanest sounding transistor amp I have ever heard!

[Imperial]

I'd look for a used Balanced Audio Technology VK-200 amp.
It's a really clean and good sounding amp. Really powerfull too!

Imperial

[duggie]

electrocompaniet.  fantastic amps.  for s/s that is.  i still wouldn't use any s/s amp for anything but subwoofers.   

here's a pair of electrocompaniet stereo amps for <$3k; perhaps the seller will sell one separately:

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1174326295

[Imperial]

electrocompaniet.  fantastic amps.  for s/s that is.  i still wouldn't use any s/s amp for anything but subwoofers.   

here's a pair of electrocompaniet stereo amps for <$3k; perhaps the seller will sell one separately:

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1174326295

I own electrocompaniet gear myself, so I can only agree on this.
Tubelike stuff! Very good midband! But the high's arent the best on them. But 8-9 out of 10 thats for sure!!!

Imperial

[Nick B]

FINALLY - you cranked those bad boys up 

Yeah, they are great, but they aren't to be confused with tube amps in the midrange and treble.  They are definitely the best overall SS compromise I've ever owned, however. Just wickedly good for the price and for SS amps of nearly any price.

The only SS amps that made me believe they had tube-like midrange, treble and overall timber was a French-made YBA amp - very smooth with SS man-sacks    I think it was some $5K tho (new).  I've seen them around for half of that used (dual mono/transformer units) from time to time on A'gaon.

Certainly, there is AVA and also Monarchy for reasonably priced, high powered SS/tube amps that might fit the bill, too.  Used Counterpoint, too.

I'm trying to ween myself away from tube amps to biamp my RM2's with--don't like the hassle of dealing with tham. I'm looking for a SS amp with fantastic midrange and treble reproduction somewhere in the $1500 used range. Any suggestions?

I have some Odyssey Khartago monos I'm using right now--they're very nice--but I'd like to hear some other suggestions.

TheChairGuy
Just a brief side note about your comments of the YBA amp. About 10 years ago, I briefly tried one and was just amazed at the midrange. Only had it a few days as I didn't want to pay the retail price of about $4k
Regards
Nick

[TheChairGuy]

I hear ya' Nick, me too.  But it was awfully nice, wasn't it? 

I think this - http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1172623870
....was the amp I heard years back...tho it was the pricier dual transformer version (also for sale on Audiogon now, but for several hundred more).

It's bit higher than your stated price range, but ya' never know if seller has wiggle room in price. He's had it up for 30 days now without selling