[rico11764]

Has anyone heard the Clones Audio 25ir?  I am looking for a new amp to go with my omega 3XRS's.  I have been using a Decware Super Zen, but am looking for something with a little more body and power.  I am open to solid state or tubes.  Any help would be appreciated..

[Canada Rob]

Hello rico11764,

Welcome to the Omega AudioCircle.  Louis has a Clones 25i so he should be able to give you some answers.

This amp works well with Omegas and it's about the same price as the Clones 25ir.  http://www.audiosector.com/chassis_integrated.shtml

[maty]

You MUST read about Akitika GT-101, trust me. Dan Joffe is a very thoughtful person.

-> http://www.akitika.com/GT101.html

-> http://www.akitika.com/measurements.html

-> http://akitika.com/testimonials.html

-> http://www.akitika.com/akitikastore.html

You can build it or look for a good technician to do it for you, with the modifications you want (better speakers connectors, front...)

The other option is, more expensive: http://www.neurochrome.com/modulus-86-rev-2-0/

Forget others Gainclone.

You can add a good (and cheap) SMD Stepped Attenuator in the box.

[rico11764]

Its been over 20 years since i owned a solid state amp, but am open to the idea .  The Clones 25ir has gotten amazing reviews, but the "sounds like tubes" phrase gets used way to often with a lot of solid state gear.  I am having a hard time finding a 5-12 watt tube amp that appeals to me, that doesn't cost a fortune. I may have to go the DIY route with Bottlehead or something similar. Thanks for the suggestions. Keep em' coming.

[md92468]

Its been over 20 years since i owned a solid state amp, but am open to the idea .  The Clones 25ir has gotten amazing reviews, but the "sounds like tubes" phrase gets used way to often with a lot of solid state gear.  I am having a hard time finding a 5-12 watt tube amp that appeals to me, that doesn't cost a fortune. I may have to go the DIY route with Bottlehead or something similar. Thanks for the suggestions. Keep em' coming.

FWIW, I heard the 300B amp on this page at RMAF in 2014 and it left quite an impression...reasonably priced, too.
http://commonsenseaudio.com

I also owned Peter Daniels' integrated (Audiosector) back in 2007 (paired with Zu Druids) and to this day it is one of my favorite amps I've owned. YMMV, of course, as always...

[roscoe65]

Its been over 20 years since i owned a solid state amp, but am open to the idea .  The Clones 25ir has gotten amazing reviews, but the "sounds like tubes" phrase gets used way to often with a lot of solid state gear.  I am having a hard time finding a 5-12 watt tube amp that appeals to me, that doesn't cost a fortune. I may have to go the DIY route with Bottlehead or something similar. Thanks for the suggestions. Keep em' coming.

A great 5-12 watt tube amp (literally, depending on what tubes you use - 6V6 to KT88) is a Dennis Had Inspire Firebottle amp.  Dennis sells though Ebay and his amps run about $1,200.  If you buy an amp you can also order a preamp for another $1,200.  These are great SEP amps that can take just about any octal pentode or tetrode (6v6, 6l6, kt66, kt77, kt88, kt120, kt150, el34, 6ar6, etc.) and octal rectifiers.  You can really tweak the sound.

[maty]

Trust me, they are the better options.

-> http://aficionados.foroactivo.com/t300-parallel-86-amplifier-con-chipamp-lm4780-mas-op-amp-lme49710-control-y-opa2277-dc-servo-disenado-por-tom-christiansen

To English -> https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=es&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=es&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Faficionados.foroactivo.com%2Ft300-parallel-86-amplifier-con-chipamp-lm4780-mas-op-amp-lme49710-control-y-opa2277-dc-servo-disenado-por-tom-christiansen&edit-text=&act=url

My KEF Q100 (86dB and 4.7 Ohms minimum) need power to play orchestral music. And no longer produced the chiamp LM4780, only LM3886 => Akitika GT-101 will be my choice, because I do not have balanced (XLR) conexions, only RCA.

But your Omega with 91 dB 94.5 dB is perfect to use a chipamp.

The cheap and very good SMD stepped attenuator is the same of the british Tisbury Mini Passive Preamplifier:

-> http://aficionados.foroactivo.com/t308-tisbury-mini-passive-preamplifier

Stepped attenuator -> -> http://www.tisburyaudio.co.uk/images/products/mini-passive-preamp-5.jpg

With a brushed aluminum front and a most beautiful feet (and more vibration damping) you will have a very very good amplifier with a great value for money (if you live in USA/Canada).

[Folsom]

Dave (ZenWave) said my little amp was a very good match for Omega's. And it sounds a lot better now.

I've had several AudioSector (PD) 3875 amps and they never came near it.

And Maty is correct, that attenuator can't be beat for anything under $100. So many sound bad by comparison including Alps blue velvet.

[Canada Rob]

But your Omega with 91 dB is perfect to use a chipamp.

The current Omega Super 3XRS is 94.5 dB, unless they're the older HempCone ones at 93 dB.

[maty]

I am sorry. I have corrected.

[DaveC113]

Dave (ZenWave) said my little amp was a very good match for Omega's. And it sounds a lot better now.

I've had several AudioSector (PD) 3875 amps and they never came near it.

And Maty is correct, that attenuator can't be beat for anything under $100. So many sound bad by comparison including Alps blue velvet.

I did and still do, Folsom's amp is a great match with my Omegas. I hate to say it sounds like tubes, instead I'll just say it's absolutely non-fatiguing while still having good detail and not sounding too "soft".  If the new version is a big improvement this will certainly be a great option. The version I heard was already a great option.

As far as tubes, I'm not a huge fan of most designs because the driver section seems like an afterthought when it's really the most important part of a SET amp. If you want to build a tube amp I'd consider checking out Broski's Aikido design for a driver, and he also has full schematics for an amazing EL34/KT88 type SET amp with an Aikido-ized output section. I built it, and it is spectacular... otoh it doesn't hardly sound like a tube amp anymore so if you want traditional tubiness then go for a design with a single-triode driver section. But parts costs will be multiples of a complete Folsom amp, possibly many multiples...

[Holygeezer]

I love my Dayens Ampino driving my Outlaw 1.5 Way Towers. At around $700 new (listed on Audiogon by the distributor) for the upgraded version it is one amazing amp. I found mine for $360 on Audiogon and have never looked back, or forward. I am extremely happy in the hear and now.

[rico11764]

Thanks Holygeezer for the Ampino recommendation. Dayens amps have always interested me, but I have never had the chance to hear one in person. 

[viggen]

i was interested in the clone as i used to own a gaincard.

i now use an APPJ EL84 amp.  Bought it on amazon for $200.  Also, got some reissued Mullards to replace the stock tubes.  Been playing with it for an hour now haha.

[rico11764]

Just wanted to give an update.  Got the Clones Audio 25ir, Omega 3XRS's, and a Chord Mojo Dac being feed by a Macbook running Amarra. The whole system has just over a 100 hours on it and it is sounding wonderful.  This is my second pair of Omega's, and I have to say Louis's speakers and service are second to none!

[Louis O]

Hi rico11764,

Great news and thanks for the update. I have the Clones amp as well and it's a go to Solid State amp for me. The sound is terrific with all my speakers. The amp is a solid value too.

Great working with you to and appreciate your very kind words.

Thanks again,
Louis

[happyrabbit]

The 3886 Chip Amp is worthy !    I recently obtained an upgraded Dal Audio 3886.  Heck, its less than a pair of EML Tubes