[pmctexas]

I'm considering doing the internal upgrade from the 550 to the 600R... I see lots of folks jumping all around on amps - going to/from digital, class a, class h, tube, hybrid, solid state, etc... Are folks generally happy with the 600R and consider it the last major amp purchase ? I realize things change but given what you know now is this it ?
Thanks

[modular747]

Unless you are terminally ill, going deaf, or expecting a zombie apocalypse, how can you know it's "the last major amp purchase"?  I'm reasonably certain it's not even the last top of the line power amp Frank will produce. 

Nothing is perfect, and in the case of audio the imperfections often don't become apparent until something better comes along.

[NIGHTFALL1970]

Go for the upgrade.  It is well worth it. I upgraded my amp to a 400R and the noise floor became lower, Bass was much clearer and everything became more life like.  Now I sometimes wonder about upgrading to the 600R.  Maybee if (when) Frank comes out with a new version and I send it in for an upgrade, I will have him do that as well.  I wonder how my Magnepan 1.7s would sound with 600 watts.

[JerryM]

I'd love to have a 600R. The problem is that my 550 Ultra sounds so damn nice I'm afraid to screw it up.

[Wayner]

I have 4 AVA amps, Jerry. I say go for it. Keep the 550 for back-up.

 

[Minn Mark]

Is there such a thing as "too many AVA amps"?   I think NOT.

Go for it.
 
Mark

[tonyptony]

I went from a 550 EXR5 through all of the upgrades that eventually brought me to the 600R. While I enjoyed all of them, I will say honestly that the 600R is the only one I'd seriously consider not upgrading. Well, and maybe the EXR5 if I had not bought it used at a really great price. From that starting point I didn't feel like I was spending a whole lot the first time on the upgrade path. But I'm glad it led to the 600R.