[serlvz]

I was humming along, happy as a clam, using vintage B&W 801s with rebuilt crossovers, powered by an AVA Vision SET 400 amp.

Then I got a chance to buy a set of new Revel Ultima Salon 2s at a ridiculously low price, or at least one I had a serious 4 day argument w myself about ( do it!, don't!, yes, do it!, no, ok, screw it, do it ). I caved and myself won. I'd never spent that much on an equipment purchase before.
I love 'em. They sound great. I mean I could wax poetic on all the ways they excel, but let's just say I don't regret getting them.

My current amp does pretty damn good with them, but I keep wondering what they'd sound like with some stupendous power to them. I've always heard that they love power and it is kind of hard imaging that; I mean they're getting roughly 300W/channel. But I keep wanting to push them harder. Seems I'm always wanting to crank them.

So, I decided on, perhaps, getting some high powered monoblocks.

Looking for opinions on a choice between these three; two of 'em would have to be used, whereas the AVA would be new. If you express an opinion on a particular choice, please tell me why. I mean, I might say screw it and keep my hard earned money in my pocket. But my mind keeps coming back to the thought. That usually means one thing... LOL

So, Pass Labs 600.8, Bryston 28B³, or AVA DVA M750.

[stylerb]

Used Parasound JC1s might be nice. Probably the greatest reasonably priced uber amps ever.

[JCarney]

If you like your current AVA amp, why not stay with AVA? Top quality gear, and the bang for buck is off the charts. You'll pay way less then if you would either Pass or Bryston. Not knocking either, but when amps cost as much or more than a new car, I just sorta check out. Reach out to Frank, see what he has to say. $5600 for a pair of M750's, or nine to ten grand or more for used on either the Pass or Bryston. Let's not forget that you don't need help moving the AVA stuff like you might with the other two. The Parasound JC-1's can be had for under six grand used, thought I'd check for fun.

Just spit ballin, best of luck,
JCarney

[FullRangeMan]

deleted

[JCarney]

deleted

[I.Greyhound Fan]

PM sent.

[FullRangeMan]

OK I will delete this comment.

[JCarney]

OK I will delete this comment.

Well done. Thank You. I will delete mine as well.

JCarney

[serlvz]

Just spit ballin, best of luck,
JCarney

Thanks. I'm kinda balkin at the cost of those used 28Bs. Supposed to call the guy at 2, to proceed. I'll call him, but gonna tell him I don't want to waste his time any further. And the ad for the Pass was for the x600, not the x600.8

[richidoo]

A single stereo Denafrips Apollo, or even a pair of Thallos in vertical biamp would be a great match for Salon2.
They punch far above their power rating, and are extremely refined and detailed. Sound like much larger amp.
Sometimes the sound of power, confidence, detail and refinement is not related to the power rating, or the price.

[opnly bafld]

Sometimes the sound of power, confidence, detail and refinement is not related to the power rating, or the price.

This!

[serlvz]

Yeah, I get this. And though all three amps are raved about, I am most familiar with AVA and really like what they bring to the table. And at a more reasonable price point.

[FullRangeMan]

This Apollo looks a Krell, 32 transistors per channel.
The 2000VA toroid transformer is custom-made for audio with copper shielding. Total 16pairs of BJT transistors per channel, coupled with large reservoir capacitors and fast switching action Schottky diodes, delivering more than adequate DC power rails to the modular power amplifier modules.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

Pass Labs, Bryston and AVA.  All great amps, built to last and all with great customer service.  Pass Labs I believe warranty their gear for 20 years and always have parts on hand to fix gear.  You can't say that about some companies.  Pass amps tend to run very hot due to high bias to Class A.  AVA amps that I have reviewed all were just warm to the touch and all sounded great.  I can't comment on Bryston although I have heard their gear at audio shows and like what I have heard.  I am sure the Denafrips is a good amp but have fun sending it in for repair to Taiwan.  Stick with American or Canadian made gear.

I would not pair an inexpensive amp with those speakers or that Bryston preamp you have.   I am a believer that you get what you pay for.  And I am sorry, I just don't think a budget amp is going to be as revealing and robust as Pass, Bryston and AVA.  Every piece of good budget gear I have bought has sounded good but does not measure up to more expensive gear.

By the way, I agree with recommendation for a pair of used JC1 monoblocks.  They were stereophile Class A plus for years.  I actually tried to find a used pair until I found my Pass X250 amp.

Just my 2 cents for what its worth.  YMMV.

[newzooreview]

From the 600.8 owner's manual: "All Pass Laboratories products purchased new from an authorized Pass Laboratories deal-
er in North America are covered by a transferable, limited 3-year warranty."

They are very conscientious about having parts on hand to fix things well into the future, and they are very easy to work with, but the warranty period is not 20 years.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

From the 600.8 owner's manual: "All Pass Laboratories products purchased new from an authorized Pass Laboratories deal-
er in North America are covered by a transferable, limited 3-year warranty."

They are very conscientious about having parts on hand to fix things well into the future, and they are very easy to work with, but the warranty period is not 20 years.

My mistake, I meant to say Bryston had a 20 year warranty.  Thats  what happens when you are dog tired and post.

[zybar]

I haven't heard these amps, so keep that in mind...

But if I was looking for monoblocks today (thankfully I don't have to with my switch to Dutch and Dutch 8C's), I would have the following at the top of my list:

Starkrimson ultra premium monos:  https://orchardaudio.com/shop/starkrimson-mono-ultra-premium-lps/
AGD Audion MKIII monos:  https://agdproduction.com/product/audion/

Great sounding (read the reviews and forums), small, lightweight, use little electricity, and will drive anything - almost sounds too good to be true!

Good luck.

George

[richidoo]

I am sure the Denafrips is a good amp but have fun sending it in for repair to Taiwan.  Stick with American or Canadian made gear.

TEK Specialty in Buda, TX is the US Service Center for Denafrips. 1 year warranty.

The only thing is that Denafrips is fully balanced amp, so it requires balanced input signal, there's no RCA jack.

[morganc]

I have the AVA 225s that I chose over Starkrimson Ultra Stereo (not the monos but the stereo version from 2023), numerous Class D offerings including the $5000 Class D Amps from Atmasphere (only 100W), Purifi amps, various tube amps as well and I’m probably forgetting a few. I bet the Starkrimson Monos mentioned above or the AVA 225 or 750 would be a very good combo.  I like supporting the little guy who has impeccable customer service and all of these amps fit that bill and are a tremendous value for the $$$.  Frank at AVA offers a 30 day in home trial and shipping those amps doesn’t cost much so I’d definitely start there. He and Mary helped me recently and they go above and beyond to make sure you’re satisfied.