I need an amplifier. . .

ZooDog · « **Reply #20 on:** 22 Mar 2005, 02:53 am »

Muralman1,

Come on, there are plenty of SS amps that don't get hot. I've heard that even the Pass designs don't get that hot and they run class A up to 40 or 50 watts.

TIC · « **Reply #21 on:** 22 Mar 2005, 03:06 am »

Carlman,

I agree with you about the '05 Avalon. I was shocked at the value in that car. I'm notoriously frugal, but I'm thinking the Avalon (sport version) at about $30K is the best all around value I've seen in a car. It seems to be a much better value than the Lexis's.

This car is such a departure from the previous version that I nearly overlooked it. But, a 280 HP engine, Mercedes rear leg-room and the cool dashboard really does it for me. The small spoiler and wheels on the sport version provide much better visual cues than does the luxury version IMHO.

I haven't driven the car yet, but it is on top of my "must drive" list for this fall when I replaced the O.L.'s 2001 Mazda Millenia. It doesn't hurt that I have a cousin that works at the TMM plant in Georgetown, KY. He can hopefully get me a '05 "program car" for a decent price. It's a lottery setup, but he's gotten every one that he's tried, so far....

Enjoy,

TIC

muralman1 · « **Reply #22 on:** 22 Mar 2005, 03:20 am »

ZooDog, Class AB doesn't get too hot. My Pass X150 didn't get too hot running 4 ohm speakers. Heat is relative to the space it is confined in, and what speakers they are driving. You could fry eggs on My X600 amps. They were working on a tough load. I believe that is what we are talking about here, as well. The new class D amps don't even get warm, let alone hot.

audioengr · « **Reply #23 on:** 22 Mar 2005, 04:24 am »

Hantra - I hate doing infomercials, but you will not believe the performance of the JC-1 monoblocks with the right mods. These puppies will drive your speakers easily because they have extremely low output impedance. See the response curves in the Stereophile review. Even with the simulated speaker load, the response is ruler flat! At least 400 W/Channel depending on speaker impedance - I get more like 1000W into my 3 ohm speakers. They are around $3500 used and the mods are $2300 for the pair. I have had several customers compare them to Pass Labs, Halcro and even Boulder and they tell me that they are superior. I can even adjust the bias so they dont get too hot. Reviews are due out shortly, so look for them on all forums.

ss397 · « **Reply #24 on:** 22 Mar 2005, 04:29 am »

man, an 05 avalon, that's like bieng married to rhea perlman, makes you feel like danny devito, but a pass labs or accuphase amp, that's like a steamy affair with anjelina jolie, makes you feel like brad pitt

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #25 on:** 22 Mar 2005, 04:54 am »

The Avalon does look good, redesigned.... http://www.toyota.com/avalon/ .

Also, the new Saturn Sky (coming soon)...for those older "sporty" types.... http://www.saturn.com/saturn/showroom/future_vehicles/sky.jsp?nav=710 .[/list:u]

dave_c · « **Reply #26 on:** 22 Mar 2005, 06:47 am »

Here you go, 600 watts of balanced SS power:
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1114717785

Oops. . .thought your price range was $4k - $6k.

How about this:
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatran&1114122737

Heard BAT and Musical Fidelity at HE SF 2 years ago. I was impressed with both companies. The MF sounded pretty damn good powering Dynaudio Special 25's. I tried looking for a sub, but it was just the 25's filling the room. Didn't hear those exact BAT's, but VK-75's (I think) on Avangarde's Trio was a pretty impressive demo.

Rocket · « **Reply #27 on:** 22 Mar 2005, 11:05 am »

Hi Hantra,

I'm not game enough to recommend any amplifier to you as you have much more experience than i have

. You have gone thru quite a lot of amplifiers in your system lately.

What type of sound are you looking for? No amp seems perfect to me as the different designs all seem to have their weaknesses/strengths.

Good luck with your search.

Regards

Rod

doug s. · « **Reply #28 on:** 22 Mar 2005, 03:11 pm »

one other thought, b - what amplification does piega recommend?

doug s.

-Richard- · « **Reply #29 on:** 22 Mar 2005, 11:27 pm »

Hi Hantra,

I am completely sympathetic with you.

Aesthetics are a very important consideration. Something
that is inherently beautiful gives as much pleasure to look
at, and touch and operate, as the beautiful sound we all
crave and spend endless hours searching for.

In a very real sense we who are skilled at negotiating the
internet information world are in a very inviable position
compared to our parents, lets say, who needed to do far more
digging to find information of products and services that we can
obtain at the click of a mouse.

But that has set us up for perhaps a deeper level of frustration
ultimately...because we know what products are "out there" and
have an overview of any field of inquiry that interests us,
we feel the temptations more keenly to want to try and experience
everything...just to see where the real potential for synergy lies...
a very natural part of our information gathering.

I like your honesty and the intention of your search.

I wonder...and I am just sharing some thoughts out-loud...if any
SS amp could ever really hold our attention...aesthetically speaking...
the way a beautifully designed tube amp could...

There is nothing inherently "mysterious" about transistors...they do not
dominate the amplifier chassis like tubes with their beautifully shaped
glass figures...reminding one of the way the old churches in Europe
dominated the small cities and towns before the emergence of the
modern skyscraper (I am not speaking of religion here...only aesthetics).

With tubes you are seeing the inside out...with SS you see only the
outside used merely as a form of packaging...

It is quite true that the meters prominently set into the face plate of
the Macintosh amps do at least link you visually with what is going
on inside...and in that way there is a sense of the mysterious...which
at least helps to make one feel "connected" to the processes within.

Your question is so honest and your inquiry so real that I could not
help but feel that you are expressing what all of us are feeling...at least
from time to time...

Let us know what you discover along the way.

Warmest regards -Richard-

JoshK · « **Reply #30 on:** 23 Mar 2005, 12:33 am »

Hantra misses his Perreaux Radiance 200i!

Kishore · « **Reply #31 on:** 23 Mar 2005, 01:08 am »

Hantra,

McCormack DNA500- beg/borrow and audition this amp

. I would also recommend the colorful Ampzilla!

Cheers,
Kishore

budyog · « **Reply #32 on:** 23 Mar 2005, 02:01 am »

You must be very young in age to have an audio desire like "Pretty" and "Look at and Love".

What ever happend to "Sound good". I think you need to change your way of thinking.

Also if you get something you "Love" (hopefully, the quality of sound that is), you won't care about resale value because you wont have to sell it.

Hantra · « **Reply #33 on:** 23 Mar 2005, 04:01 am »

Fellas:

I appreciate all of your advice. I'd have to say that I do miss the Radiance 200i Josh.

I'd need to see the new Avalon in person. Does nothing for me in photographs. Then again, neither did the Enzo until I saw it in real life.

As far as a Tri-Vista, it probably sounds good, but lighted feet? Come on! Lighted feet. . . Seriously. . Say it with me. . .

Rod: I just want ease, accuracy, and a bit of dimension. That's not too much to ask, right? LOL

Doug: Piega says the following: The recommended amplifier output of the the C 3 LTD is 20-250 W (4 Ohm). I wonder if he could look me in the eye and say that. LOL It's just NOT true and I hope they aren't telling their dealers to say that.

Richard: You hit it on the head man. At least you know where I am coming from. If I could afford enough tubes to push these, and it wouldn't make my room into an infernal corona, I'd do that. . .

Kish: The DNA-500 is in my top 3 right now. If it had a pretty faceplate I'd sign up tonight.

Budy: I'm still young. Sound good is important too.

Thanks again y'all.

B

doug s. · « **Reply #34 on:** 23 Mar 2005, 02:33 pm »

Quote from: Hantra

...Doug: Piega says the following: The recommended amplifier output of the the C 3 LTD is 20-250 W (4 Ohm). I wonder if he could look me in the eye and say that. LOL It's just NOT true and I hope they aren't telling their dealers to say that.

Richard: You hit it on the head man. At least you know where I am coming from. If I could afford enough tubes to push these, and it wouldn't make my room into an infernal corona, I'd do that. . . ...

you need to ask piega what amps *they* used to voice the speakers.

re: toobs, you *can* afford the antique sound lab hurricanes, but ya may need a substitute amp for the summer months.

they would drive yer speakers with ease, as would a used pair of vtl mb450's. even mb225's would likely be sufficient. for s/s, i'd still recommend auditioning an electrocompaniet amp.

doug s.

Hantra · « **Reply #35 on:** 23 Mar 2005, 02:52 pm »

Quote from: doug s.

for s/s, i'd still recommend auditioning an electrocompaniet amp.

doug s.

I'd like to try one. I had an EC 4.7 and it's probably the best pre I have owned. I was JUST looking at those ASL's last night. . . but talk about hot. .

woodsyi · « **Reply #36 on:** 23 Mar 2005, 03:03 pm »

But is this cool or what?

Sexy! Are you young enough to "feel" it?

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #37 on:** 23 Mar 2005, 03:09 pm »

Quote from: woodsyi

But is this cool or what?

Sexy! Are you young enough to "feel" it?

I saw that fly over my house too......must be heading North......

electricbear · « **Reply #38 on:** 23 Mar 2005, 04:06 pm »

If you're looking for an amp with the right pedigree and bags of power try the proceed HPA2. these are essentially a Levinson without the silly price tag. 250W of welding power and good musicality too. I'm sure you'll find them on any of the good audio sites.

Hantra · « **Reply #39 on:** 23 Mar 2005, 04:30 pm »

Man that's beautiful!