[rydenfan]

I see you picked out the 301 model. 

Just out of curiosity, can you expand on why you picked the 301 over the 103 or other models?

The SB301 is only bested by the $16,500 SA REF. It has more power and larger transformers than the 103. I have listened to the SA REF in both Class A and A/B and it is wonderful. Many Plinius dealers feel that the A/B bias on the 301 is actually better than on the SA REF. The 301 also offers 100 amps of peak current per channel. Here is what Plinius has to say about the 301:

"Our design team decided that we needed a 300 watt, SA-102 package and this is exactly what the SB-301 is. The basic circuit topology is the same as the SA-102 but with a larger power supply and more rugged output stage.The number of output devices is double that of the SA-102 and the two toroidal transformers are larger."

[DTB300]

The 301 is really nice and the REF...   I did not mean to imply the 103 is better.  I was just curious on your selection criteria and opinions regarding your choice.   I have not found many that did not like Plinius amps.

[rydenfan]

The 301 is really nice and the REF...   I did not mean to imply the 103 is better.  I was just curious on your selection criteria and opinions regarding your choice.   I have not found many that did not like Plinius amps.

I did not take your question as a criticism in any way, and I apologize if you got the impression my reply came off as such. I was merely just trying to state the information that led me to my decision.

If I had the room I may have toyed with the idea of 2 SA-103's running as monos, but those thoughts are better left alone 

[DTB300]

If I had the room I may have toyed with the idea of 2 SA-103's running as monos, but those thoughts are better left alone 

I hear ya!!!  Recently there was a 102 for sale local to me.  It took every ounce of restraint for me not to purchase it so I could run mono 102's.  I am very happy with my single 102 as it has enough power for my needs, so a second would just be a testosterone level boost  more than a quality boost.

[jhm731]

Here's a great amp in your price range:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=61267.0

I have the same upgraded TacT 2150 and recently compared it to the DAC 4800A and AVA Insight
440H. It outperfromed both of these amps.

I don't see any analog sources in your system, so you could run your CDP's digital output directly into the TacT
and eliminate a preamp.

[carusoracer]

What's the word on the Plinius?

It is big, nice looking Amp.

[rydenfan]

So far I am really enjoying it. It only has 60-75 hours on it so I dont want to say too much yet as I have already had some pretty wild swings. I can tell you though that it is the best vocal reproduction I have had in my system to date   

[boead]

If that Ultra 550 did not impress you, I don't know what to recommend. I own three of Frank's Ultra amps and they are the finest amps I've ever had in my systems.

Three? What other amps have you used in your system, what are you comparing them too?

I know some fussy audiophiles and the NuForce amps have gotten some very strong praise.

[carusoracer]

Amps I have heard in my system, B&K 500, Bryston 3BSt, 4B, MF A3cr, Moscode 401HR,Odyssey Dual Mono, AVA 550 Ultra, McAlister PP150, Jolida mod 302b,Jolida 502b,Hafler mod 500, early Nuforce and others. Not sure what you are referring to in the post. My current Amp is documented in my 2ch profile. It is a very strong Amp.

I just did a nice Audition with BRM's Wyred 4 Sound Mono's to add to the list as well. I liked the sound and this is not a review, I'm still looking around for other choices though as it captured several elements that I like but would still like to hear other Amps. Thanks to BRM.

Look forward to replies!
 

[boead]

Not sure what you are referring to in the post. My current Amp is documented in my 2ch profile. It is a very strong Amp.

When I click on (well cut and paste) the system you have in your footer (MySystem:http://www.audiocircle.com/systems/index.php?systemid=570&action=publish) the browser says; "An Error Has Occurred! This is not your system" so I couldn't see it. I assume no one else can.

Just wanted to see what you were comparing too.

[carusoracer]

Not sure what you are referring to in the post. My current Amp is documented in my 2ch profile. It is a very strong Amp.

When I click on (well cut and paste) the system you have in your footer (MySystem:http://www.audiocircle.com/systems/index.php?systemid=570&action=publish) the browser says; "An Error Has Occurred! This is not your system" so I couldn't see it. I assume no one else can.

Just wanted to see what you were comparing too.

I just tried the link. Maybe server was down? It is working now

[rydenfan]

It works for you because it it your system  it does not work for anyone else...

[WGH]

I just tried the link. Maybe server was down? It is working now

carusoracer - replace your sig with this:

2 Chanel Audio http://www.audiocircle.com/systems/index.php?systemid=570

Bedroom Bliss http://www.audiocircle.com/systems/index.php?systemid=993

[carusoracer]

Hey, let me know if this works. I just changed the sig line.
Thanks for the Tips

[rydenfan]

Yup 

[carusoracer]

I was able to listen to the Moon W8, P8 and Jospeh Audio Pearls yesterday at a in home dealers place. We did a blind Amp test with the I3, Bel Canto Mono's and the W8. I wanted to hear the Moon house sound to see if it trickles down throughout the line up. The W8 is very,very special.Way out of my price range. I did listen to the I7 integrated as well in anther system with the Rm25's. Nice sounding Amp as well, but the W8 has the magic. The Moon attributes are very deep and controlled bass, smooth mid range, does not seem to highlight any particular frequency, fast transients with good low level detail, effortless power.

On a side note he did have some Bybee Golden Goddess speaker bullets. We did not A/B with/with out but something really nice was going on with the sound as a whole. At 4K a pair they are costly though. Anyone else heard the Moon or Bybee Bullets?

[rydenfan]

I have always wanted to hear the W8. But I feel like Simaudio is way over priced and a bit under powered at this point. The W8 is considerably more money than a monoblock pair of Mark Levinson 436's or McIntosh 501  That just does not make sense to me...

[lonewolfny42]

carusoracer/Mark....

$$ Range 1200-2400 Pre Owned..

I think you may need a bigger budget.... (hey...it happens )

As for the Simaudio...nice amps. You might check with PeteG...he runs W-5's in mono block's for his SP Tech's....plenty of power. You may find a pair used....

Having heard the HT3's....85db's....8ohms....yes...you do need a good hi-powered amp....brings out the best in them....they are very good speakers.

Keep listening....and try to hear what you can in your area...

Requirements....
     Textured and tube like midrange
      Low level detail
      Dynamic
      Fast transients
      Great bass with good control over woofer
      Seemingless highs and powerful

      Prefer Amp to run in class A most of the time while maintaining Class A/B configuration.

Surely not too much to ask....

Maybe.....