Great amp recommendations; musical, detailed, quiet

95bcwh · « **Reply #20 on:** 3 Jul 2006, 09:19 pm »

Quote from: Bob Reynolds on 3 Jul 2006, 09:13 pm

Quote from: tvad4 on 3 Jul 2006, 08:06 pm
Quote from: Carlman on 3 Jul 2006, 07:23 pm
Thanks for all the replies. I've never heard of the Moscode...

It was reviewed in the May 2006 (?) issue of Stereophile by Wes Phillips, who I believe bought the review unit, and it was also reviewed in The Absolute Sound at the end of 2005.
Check it out. It's worth your trouble. I don't wax poetic about gear very often.

The Moscode has some nostalgia going for it, but a Bryston 4B-SST is a better performer and you can pocket several thousand dollars to boot.

Well, I'm currently running a Bryston 4B-SST, I guess I will have to get the Moscode in my "listening lab", do an A/B comparison before I can give you my supporting vote

tvad4 · « **Reply #21 on:** 3 Jul 2006, 09:25 pm »

Quote from: Bob Reynolds on 3 Jul 2006, 09:13 pm

Quote from: tvad4 on 3 Jul 2006, 08:06 pm
Quote from: Carlman on 3 Jul 2006, 07:23 pm
Thanks for all the replies. I've never heard of the Moscode...

It was reviewed in the May 2006 (?) issue of Stereophile by Wes Phillips, who I believe bought the review unit, and it was also reviewed in The Absolute Sound at the end of 2005.
Check it out. It's worth your trouble. I don't wax poetic about gear very often.

The Moscode has some nostalgia going for it, but a Bryston 4B-SST is a better performer and you can pocket several thousand dollars to boot.

Are you basing the comment about the 4B SST being a better performer on specs or sound? Specs is an objective measurement, and I have no doubt the 4B SST is a better performer in this regard. If by better performer you are referring to the sound of the amps, then this is subjective, and I disagree with your assessment. I have owned a Bryston 4B SST and 14B SST, and to my ears the Moscode 401 HR is so much more musical and enjoyable that it's no contest, but I realize this is in the realm of personal preference, and preferences are likely to vary. I once strove for an uber-accurate recreation of the source material, but after several years of following this path, and being continually dissatisfied with the clinical sound that resulted, I recently moved in the direction of musicality with a certain amount of accuracy willingly sacrificed. I believe many who are unhappy with their systems suffer from the same affliction as I did. My other amp, a VAC Phi 110/110, measures significantly poorer than any Bryston, but it sounds miles better to my ears.

I am assuming your comments are based on having heard the 401HR and the 4B SST in your system, yes?

Bob Reynolds · « **Reply #22 on:** 3 Jul 2006, 09:35 pm »

Quote from: tvad4 on 3 Jul 2006, 09:25 pm

Quote from: Bob Reynolds on 3 Jul 2006, 09:13 pm
The Moscode has some nostalgia going for it, but a Bryston 4B-SST is a better performer and you can pocket several thousand dollars to boot.
Are you basing the comment about the 4B SST being a better performer on specs or sound? Specs is an objective measurement, and I have no doubt the 4B SST is a better performer in this regard.

Specs, only. Everything else is just opinion.

tvad4 · « **Reply #23 on:** 3 Jul 2006, 09:36 pm »

Quote from: Bob Reynolds on 3 Jul 2006, 09:35 pm

Quote from: tvad4 on 3 Jul 2006, 09:25 pm
Quote from: Bob Reynolds on 3 Jul 2006, 09:13 pm
The Moscode has some nostalgia going for it, but a Bryston 4B-SST is a better performer and you can pocket several thousand dollars to boot.
Are you basing the comment about the 4B SST being a better performer on specs or sound? Specs is an objective measurement, and I have no doubt the 4B SST is a better performer in this regard.

Specs, only. Everything else is just opinion.

Sure enough. Thanks for sharing your criteria.

Paul_Bui · « **Reply #24 on:** 3 Jul 2006, 10:25 pm »

Musical, detailed, quiet, under $6K? And 91db Piega played in a small room. Hm, I would be looking very hard on either an AudioSector's Patek, RedWine Signature-30, or CIA's D-200 before batting my eyes on other more expensive amps.

WEEZ · « **Reply #25 on:** 3 Jul 2006, 11:22 pm »

Carlman,

Even if you move to a larger 15x20 room; 91db sensitive speakers won't need gobs of power (unless you're a head-banger).

I use a 75wpc amp w/ 87db speakers in an 11.3x15.0 alcove which opens to a 16.5x24.0 great room. I have more than enough power to play louder than I like without clipping the amp.

I'm partial to mosfet amplifiers, and use a Musical Design D-75B Signature. An AVA 240EX or Belles 150A Hotrod would likely fill the bill also- and they have more power than my amplifier.

The test of a good amplifier isn't it's power or loudness, IMHO. It's how 'soft' will it play. Will it still sound natural? That's the test....

WEEZ

tvad4 · « **Reply #26 on:** 3 Jul 2006, 11:34 pm »

Have you done a search of Piega loudspeakers in the Member's Systems on Audiogon? This might give you some ideas of what amps folks are using with the Piegas...

Rocket · « **Reply #27 on:** 4 Jul 2006, 12:38 am »

Hi,

I had the following amps in my system in 2005:

aksa 100 nirvana plus
odyssey khartago
ps audio hca - 2 (modded to the max)
spread spectrum technologies 'son of ampzilla'

The aksa has excellent 'prat', dynamics, emotional impact and beats the other amps in these areas. Hugh's new lifeforce amplifier may provide a little more transparency and high frequency extension than the old aksa. I always felt that if the amp was a little more transparent it could be considered a really high end amplifier.

Good luck with your decision on a new amp.

Regards

Rod

enzo · « **Reply #28 on:** 4 Jul 2006, 03:34 am »

Tvad:
I too have a Modwright 999ES and B&W Sig 805s, thus I am VERY interested in your observations re. the Moscode... How does it compare with your VAC?

Also, what did you think of the CT-5, and did you guys compare it to any other pre-amps?

tvad4 · « **Reply #29 on:** 4 Jul 2006, 04:57 am »

Quote from: enzo on 4 Jul 2006, 03:34 am

Tvad:
I too have a Modwright 999ES and B&W Sig 805s, thus I am VERY interested in your observations re. the Moscode... How does it compare with your VAC?

Also, what did you think of the CT-5, and did you guys compare it to any other pre-amps?

I posted my thoughts/comparisons elsewhere, so I won't repeat them here, but the Mocode compares favorably to the VAC. Each has its strengths/advantages. I can't say either has any weaknesses that would prevent me from recommending them. The VAC may destined to be a classic. The Moscode...well, it's early.

The Moscode/CT5/Modwright 999ES/B&W 805 Sig was a nice combo.

We did not use any other preamps other than the CT5.

My system is Exemplar Denon 3910/Lamm LL2 Deluxe/VAC Phi 110/110 (or Moscode)/Von Schweikert VR4 Gen III HSE.

andyr · « **Reply #30 on:** 4 Jul 2006, 11:14 am »

Quote from: Carlman on 3 Jul 2006, 03:21 pm

The AKSA was my favorite SS amp to date because it was fast and had good PRAT, which I do like.. but it did impart some of its own character on the sound. (The TacT was good in this regard also) I'd like a more transparent AKSA and maybe with a little more power... and a little lower noise floor if possible. I like detail and I like 'musicality' but I don't want to sacrifice one for the other. And in the next price-tier I don't feel I should have to. ...

Hi Carlman,

Have you been following the threads on the AKSA Forum about Hugh's new "Lifeforce" amp? From the posts about listening, it seems to be a definite "step up" from an AKSA N+!!

The 100 watter is available very soon ... I suspect it would come in a helluva lot less than your budget!!

Regards,

Andy

Carlman · « **Reply #31 on:** 4 Jul 2006, 02:11 pm »

I hadn't heard about AKSA's latest amp until this thread... so, thanks for the heads-up!
Just a quick note about my budget... While I'm looking for amps that may have MSRP's (or have had) in the 3-6,k range, doesn't mean that's what I want to spend. I was hoping to find something used if the original price was in the upper end of the MSRP range. Every dollar over 4,k+ is going to be too high... to 'actually' spend on amp at this point. I'd rather stay around 2,k if possible... but so far that hasn't seemed possible. I'm not looking to spend retail price on something that just hit the market either. I've lost my shirt that way too many times in the past.

I have looked at AVA's 350/550EXR based on a fellow enthusiast's recommendation. I might try to find one to demo.

I should have a pretty good number of amps to try within a month. I'll have a gathering at my place if anyone wants to hear whatever I end up with...

Thanks again for all the advice and help.

-Carl

PaulFolbrecht · « **Reply #32 on:** 4 Jul 2006, 02:14 pm »

This is a great thread.

In my continuing search for the perfect amp for my Gallo Ref 3s, I've decided to broaden again and look past SETs. Considering trying the CI 200s and probably will. And perhaps the new Red Wine amp that several SET diehards say sounds like a SET.

But on slightly different topic, I have wondered why nobody makes a hybrid class A amp. That is, tube input & driver stages and solid state *Class A* output. I know the Moscone is a great amp, but I think such a topology could really, well, kick some butt. Maybe.

Or, are there such beasts out there?

tvad4 · « **Reply #33 on:** 4 Jul 2006, 02:19 pm »

Had you been more upfront about your $2k budget at the outset, and your desire not to pay retail for a new amp, I'd never have recommended the Moscode. Why would you put a price range of $4-$6k when you have no intention of spending anywhere near this amount? I fully understand your wishes, but I frankly feel like I've wasted your time and mine with this thread.

In all honesty, I have heard several amps in the $2k price range...Bryston 4B SST (quiet & detailed, but not musical), CI Audio D100 and D200 (has most of all the qualities), NuForce (quiet & detailed, but not musical, IMO), Odyssey Mono Extreme (has all three qualities).

You might also consider the Dussun V8i, which is available with a 30 day trial and no restocking fee (just like the Moscode). However, the Odyssey Monos sound better to me than the Dussun.

Carlman · « **Reply #34 on:** 4 Jul 2006, 02:30 pm »

Quote from: tvad4 on 4 Jul 2006, 02:19 pm

Had you been more upfront about your $2k budget at the outset, and your desire not to pay retail for a new amp, I'd never have recommended the Moscode. Why would you put a price range of $4-$6k when you have no intention of spending anywhere near this amount? I fully understand your wishes, but I frankly feel like I've wasted your time and mine time with this thread.

In all honesty, I have heard several amps in the $2k price range...Bryston 4B SST (quiet & detailed, but not musical), CI Audio D100 and D200 (has most of all the qualities), NuForce (quiet & detailed, but not musical, IMO), Odyssey Mono Extreme (has all three qualities).

You might also consider the Dussun V8i, which is available with a 30 day trial and no restocking fee (just like the Moscode).

oh jeez, get off it, man... you're not wasting anyone's time... my budget increases every time I read this thread.

I haven't crossed anything off my list yet... However, I know ALL about Bryston, Nuforce, and Odyssey.... And I don't need those old recommendations anymore. I was upfront about what I wanted... recommendations on amps that retailed in the specified price range. I don't pay retail for gear if I can avoid it. Dussun? What are you nuts? Just another fad. I want good stuff that will last a long time. If 4,k isn't enough so be it... I'll decide what my budget is when I hear what I like.

Now back to an otherwise pleasant thread....

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #35 on:** 4 Jul 2006, 02:45 pm »

Quote

Dussun? What are you nuts? Just another fad.

.....

...That got me laughing...but you didn't hear it...may be good....but I know you've owned a DK Audio at one time....the Dussun might be similar....

tvad4 · « **Reply #36 on:** 4 Jul 2006, 02:48 pm »

You're the boss, Carlman. Have fun.

eric the red · « **Reply #37 on:** 4 Jul 2006, 02:52 pm »

Get a preowned McCormack amp and have Steve mod it. Should fit nicely under your 2k budget plus not many people have bad things to say about McCormack amps (myself included). And what are you doing up so early Wolfy??

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #38 on:** 4 Jul 2006, 02:57 pm »

Quote

And what are you doing up so early Wolfy??

Its a holiday....

...plus I'm still clearing my message's....wouldn't want to lose an important one....

Have a nice 4th. Eric....

Carlman · « **Reply #39 on:** 4 Jul 2006, 03:00 pm »

I'd rather keep budget out of the equation.... because it doesn't really matter to a degree.... when a 2,k amp sounds as good as a 4,k or a 3 sounds as good as a 6... what does a budget matter? I'd rather sound be my guide...

Sorry for sounding so hornery... My wife says I'm hungry and cranky.