Hybrid amp comparison

mca · « **on:** 12 Feb 2006, 07:05 pm »

Just curious if anyone has done a comparison between a Butler TDB amp and a AVA Fet Valve EXR amp?

Parnelli777 · « **Reply #1 on:** 12 Feb 2006, 08:28 pm »

There's also the Smart Devices 2X150VT, seems interesting, relatively cheap too:

http://www.smartdev.com/2x150vt.html

datman · « **Reply #2 on:** 12 Feb 2006, 10:43 pm »

While I have not had any experience with the AVA amps, I do presently own a Butler TDB2250. Having owned other hybrid amps in the past (most notably a Counterpoint) I feel comfortable saying this is the most satisfying amp I have owned so far. It is better than my Sonic Frontiers Power 2 and Bel Canto eVo 4 gen II. It just simply sounds right, very musical and "easy". It's also amazingly quiet, something you don't appreciate until you have experienced it.

JoshK · « **Reply #3 on:** 12 Feb 2006, 10:48 pm »

What tube does the butler amp use?

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #4 on:** 12 Feb 2006, 10:53 pm »

Quote from: JoshK

What tube does the butler amp use?

Butler 2250 amp.....you can't change the tubes....[/list:u]

Carlman · « **Reply #5 on:** 12 Feb 2006, 10:58 pm »

I too think the Butler gets a lot right... very musical and relaxed. It does detail with ease. I don't think it's the last word in bass but you could always buy 2.

JoshK · « **Reply #6 on:** 12 Feb 2006, 10:59 pm »

I see what they are doing. What happens when the tubes die? Still can't replace them?

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #7 on:** 12 Feb 2006, 11:28 pm »

Quote from: JoshK

I see what they are doing. What happens when the tubes die? Still can't replace them?

Then you throw the amp out.......just kidding Josh !!!

The tube's can be replaced, it's just not an amp you roll all kinds of tubes in. Have you read this 6moons review....a little more detail about the 2250.

datman · « **Reply #8 on:** 13 Feb 2006, 02:40 am »

The Butler amps use 6SL7GT's. The reason they are not easily replacable (socketed) is they are run at about 15v. The tubes should last at least as long as the rest of the amp.

I do not agree with the previous statement about the bass. I find it to be quite deep and powerful. As a matter of fact, this is one of the strong points of this amp.

zybar · « **Reply #9 on:** 13 Feb 2006, 02:57 am »

Quote from: datman

The Butler amps use 6SL7GT's. The reason they are not easily replacable (socketed) is they are run at about 15v. The tubes should last at least as long as the rest of the amp.

I do not agree with the previous statement about the bass. I find it to be quite deep and powerful. As a matter of fact, this is one of the strong points of this amp.

I think the bass is relative to what else you have heard or own.

When Chris brought over his pair of 2150's the bass was good, but just not as good as the DNA-500.

Personally, I thought the strong point was the incredibly engaging midrange. Vocals were spooky good.

George

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #10 on:** 13 Feb 2006, 03:01 am »

Quote from: mca

Just curious if anyone has done a comparison between a Butler TDB amp and a AVA Fet Valve EXR amp?

Hey George,

Chris[/list:u]

tdangelo · « **Reply #11 on:** 13 Feb 2006, 03:11 am »

I'm running 2 2250's in mono (only 1 right now actually - my present speakers can't handle the power of 2 amps...). Very nice and smooth sounding - never fatiguing. My previous amps were the Aragon Palladium 1K monos which were known to have very good bass. The Butlers seem on par to me. They run cool to the touch and only use 40 watts when idling

Build quality is very nice and BK Butler answers technical questions personally. I'm keeping them for the foreseeable future. I did have the Nuforce 8b's for a while - that was a disaster....

Tony D.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #12 on:** 13 Feb 2006, 03:32 am »

Tony,

Chris[/list:u]

zybar · « **Reply #13 on:** 13 Feb 2006, 03:40 am »

Quote from: lonewolfny42

Hey George,
Didn't you own an AVA at one time ? I've not heard one.... [/list:u]
Chris[/list:u]

Just their preamp.

George

zybar · « **Reply #14 on:** 13 Feb 2006, 03:41 am »

Quote from: lonewolfny42

Tony,
The bass on the DNA-500 is stronger than the Butler pair, as George pointed out. As an example, it is very similar to another amp I own, the Krell KSA-100mkII. If I were to mix the Krell and Butler's into one amp....it would turn out to be a DNA-500.... [/list:u]
Chris[/list:u]

George

Parnelli777 · « **Reply #15 on:** 13 Feb 2006, 05:45 am »

Can the Butler 2250 owner tell me where the amp is manufactured? I'm curious because their site doesn't have this info, and when I emailed them twice regarding this, I did not get a response at all.

tdangelo · « **Reply #16 on:** 13 Feb 2006, 01:56 pm »

No idea - the amp isn't marked anywhere...

Quote from: Parnelli777

Can the Butler 2250 owner tell me where the amp is manufactured? I'm curious because their site doesn't have this info, and when I emailed them twice regarding this, I did not get a response at all.

bpape · « **Reply #17 on:** 13 Feb 2006, 02:45 pm »

Regarding the potential bass issue...

Is this something that is only apparent in the subwoofer range (80Hz down) or is it something that extends into the lower mids as a perceived lack of weight and fullness?

The reason I ask is that I'm looking to replace my amp for my LCR in the HT downstairs. The Butler looks appealing and I cross over to a sub for everything at 60Hz.

TIA

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #18 on:** 13 Feb 2006, 04:51 pm »

Quote from: bpape

Regarding the potential bass issue...

Chris[/list:u]

TomW16 · « **Reply #19 on:** 13 Feb 2006, 05:31 pm »

I am not able to compare the AVA amp to the Butler, however, I own an AVA amp (FetValve 350 EXR) and find that it is powerful, dynamic but without any harshness.

Frank Van Alstine offers a 30-day trial period so potentially you could try out both amps in your system and keep the one that suits your needs best.

Good luck!

Tom