Anyone heard the five channel Butler hybrid amp?

satfrat · « **Reply #40 on:** 23 Jul 2003, 03:44 am »

Thanks for the further insight of the Butler 5150. The dealer I talked to was surely pushing amps of his own as I`m looking at a Sunfire GT3 processor? to mate with a pair of Butler 3150 amps. He refered to it`s untested reliability, along with the weak projection and speed of the amp in the cinema realm. Your detailed observations are MUCH appreciated. I have also heard from the Butler owner that wrote a product review at A’gon. He says the Butler amp along with the Meridian 568 processor are the best components he`s ever bought. He has nothing but praise for this amp and it`s builder. You say that a 2 c. amp is coming out. Have you heard of a mono amp showing up soon also? The Butler 5150 is a good deal with the wires/speakers/processor choice that comes with it. But 2 Butler 3150 isn`t as good of a deal, $3599+shipping being the best so far. I presently have 6.1 and don`t want to fall back to 5.1. But if a mono amp is coming out soon, I could live with 5.1 and upgrade down the road. A call to Butler is forthcoming, no doubt. Thanks again John for the vote of confidence, I think it might be enough for that ‘leap of blind faith.’

Regards, Robin

John B · « **Reply #41 on:** 23 Jul 2003, 04:00 am »

Weak projection hey

Definitly sounds like he's trying to steer you to the products he carries. If anything I feel a little overcome at times by what this amp can project into a room. Fun stuff! The speed thing I'm still a little unclear on. How it can be slow on movie sound and not on music doesn't make sense to me.

Now as for mono amps, they have one out now, but it's a bit pricey, though from what I heard of it at the HES show, worth every penny. Retails at around $12K for a pair. The stereo version of the 5150 is the 2250, and it puts out 250wpc into 8 ohms. Don't know the pricing on that yet.

Update: Butler 2250 is the same price as the 5150.

satfrat · « **Reply #42 on:** 24 Jul 2003, 05:14 am »

Thanks for all the imput John, you`ve been very reasuring. I`ve decided to get 2 DTB-3150`s and the Sunfire GT3 processor with Ridge Street Midnight Silver Edition imterconnects. I`m wondering if these units could be upgraded in the future to 5150`s as they are the same amp minus 2&4 tubes. This would offer the potential for up to 10 channels from the 6 I`ll have. I am sooo psyched!

Regards, Robin

John B · « **Reply #43 on:** 24 Jul 2003, 07:23 pm »

Satfrat,

Did you get them from a local dealer or are you going Mfg. direct? I can ask Luis about the upgrading to 5 channels if you like.

HChi · « **Reply #44 on:** 25 Jul 2003, 02:22 am »

I am currently shopping for an amp replacement. I am considering AVA 550ex, 2A3/EL34/805/300B tube amps, and bulter audio 2250 and 5150 or used krell FPB 300 or 400c/cx.

JohnB: could you elaborate on the differences b/w bulter 5150 and ava 350ex?

Also could someone tell me how much are 5150 and 2250? Where can I find the local dealer info? Thanks.

satfrat · « **Reply #45 on:** 25 Jul 2003, 05:14 am »

Quote from: John B

Satfrat,

Did you get them from a local dealer or are you going Mfg. direct? I can ask Luis about the upgrading to 5 channels if you like.

Hi John B, I tried both your dealer and the Mfg. Luis gave me the best deal and was very accommodating. The 5150 /3150 are the same unit, containing totally modular circuits and there is no need to send the amps back for upgrades. Upgrading the channels is very easy, the channel thingies just plug in and bolt down. Connect the tranny wires and you`ve got another channel. Luis says it`s a 10 minute job that he would talk you thru. This is real good to know and just another feature of this tube amp that I really like. There is one negative tho that stood out, the power cord is captive. Luis says Butler is experimenting with IEC PC`s. But here`s the kicker,,, Luis remarked that if I wanted to do an IEC panel terminal upgrade, all I`d have to do is notify him and the warranty wouldn`t be voided. Now THIS is unheard of to my ears. Makes me want to have an Acme cryoed silver IEC terminal/nibbler out and waiting for the package to arrive.

Anyways, 2 Butler 3150`s have been ordered along with a Sunfire GT3 (thanx Flintstone!) and I`ll be picking up a package of Depends this weekend as I know the minute my ears hear this combination of high end components, I`m gonna piss my pants!

Regards, Robin http://www.butleraudio.com & http://www.tubedriver.com

John B · « **Reply #46 on:** 25 Jul 2003, 02:54 pm »

Quote

There is one negative tho that stood out, the power cord is captive. Luis says Butler is experimenting with IEC PC`s

That's weird, if they are the same unit minus 2 channels, how is it I have an aftermarket Sahuaro ampthrilla PC attached to my 5150?

This cord really pushed the performance, which was already stellar, up several notches. Get that mod done!

John B · « **Reply #47 on:** 25 Jul 2003, 03:13 pm »

Quote from: HChi

I am currently shopping for an amp replacement. I am considering AVA 550ex, 2A3/EL34/805/300B tube amps, and bulter audio 2250 and 5150 or used krell FPB 300 or 400c/cx.

JohnB: could you elaborate on the differences b/w bulter 5150 and ava 350ex?

Also could someone tell me how much are 5150 and 2250? Where can I find the local dealer info? Thanks.

This is the deal I got on the 5150 http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cl.pl?ampsmult&1063982075

The AVA 350EX is a great amp. Best 2-ch amp I've ever owned. I'd recommend it in a heartbeat. What I find is that the Butler has more sparkle, airiness and detail going on in the high frequencies. Midrange is comparable, though I find the Butler to have more transparency. Bass, is actually where I fell the 350EX might have a notch on the Butler, though as with the 350EX I found this aspect improved with break in time. I've only got about 80 hours on the Butler, and I've reached several landmarks where I heard a marked change in overall presentation that from experience I know are break-in plateaus.

satfrat · « **Reply #48 on:** 25 Jul 2003, 05:19 pm »

Quote from: John B

Quote

That's weird, if they are the same unit minus 2 channels, how is it I have an aftermarket Sahuaro ampthrilla PC attached to my 5150? This cord really pushed the performance, which was already stellar, up several notches. Get that mod done!
Thanks for the info AGAIN John, I called Luis and it was a misunderstanding. He was referring to replacing the IEC terminal itself! And chances are I`ll be doing that as I do like the Acme cryoed silver terminal. He was also referring to the company looking into offering an after market power cord upgrade wth their amps. Guess it was just one of those crazy misunerstandings that can occur over the phone, heh? Luis is also having the feet removed an sent separately as I`ll be using cones. Looks like I`ll have to be scoping out some PC`s. Regards, Robin

HChi · « **Reply #49 on:** 26 Jul 2003, 04:10 pm »

JohnB: Thanks for the link and please keep us update if the amp characters improve after further break-in.

Satfrat: Since I am interested in using the amp for the stereo setup, 3150 is more suitable to me than 5150. Would you mind tell me know the nice deal you have on 3150. Please send me a PM or email if you prefer not to publicize the price.

Thanks,
-Howard

satfrat · « **Reply #50 on:** 26 Jul 2003, 06:17 pm »

Howard, go to "Whats the best Pre/Pro < $6K?" thread in this circle. I did the Sunfire/Butler combo for < $6K!

Regards, Robin

HChi · « **Reply #51 on:** 27 Jul 2003, 03:22 am »

Satfrat,
Wow! You really get a rig of amp/pre combo that can do excellent multichannel/Stereo now!

Not to mentioned it is under $5.5k. Could you tell me where did you get your 3150 from? I look forward to reading your review on this combo soon.

Thanks,
-Howard

satfrat · « **Reply #52 on:** 27 Jul 2003, 04:49 am »

Quote from: HChi

Satfrat,
Wow! You really get a rig of amp/pre combo that can do excellent multichannel/Stereo now! Not to mentioned it is under $5.5k. Could you tell me where did you get your 3150 from? I look forward to reading your review on this combo soon.

Thanks,
-Howard

Acually Howard, it was just under 5.6K but my credit card is bloated all the same. I got the amps from straight from Butler, look one page back on this thread for the addy. As far as a review is concerned, this is my first audition of any kind in high end components so I have no background to compare anything. Coming from a midfi receiver, this combo will surely make me piss my pants

But I`ll most likely state my opinions for prosperity. Regards, Robin

satfrat · « **Reply #53 on:** 4 Aug 2003, 05:50 pm »

John B, hi, gotta question for ya. After seeing Wayne Wanaanen`s new tube momo amps from Radii Audio, I noticed all the tubes had Herbie`s Damping Instruments on them. And thoughts on this, is it anything you have considered doing for your 5150? I went ahead and ordered 6 Hal-o 27 rings for my 2 3150`s as I`ll be opening the unit up anyways for the IEC upgrade and might as well throw them on. I think it was Enjoy the Music that hada good review on this tweak, especially the tubes on the amps. BTW, my amps should be competed and shipped from the factory any day now. Regards, Robin

John B · « **Reply #54 on:** 5 Aug 2003, 02:54 pm »

Quote from: satfrat

John B, hi, gotta question for ya. After seeing Wayne Wanaanen`s new tube momo amps from Radii Audio, I noticed all the tubes had Herbie`s Damping Instruments on them. And thoughts on this, is it anything you have considered doing for your 5150? I went ahead and ordered 6 Hal-o 27 rings for my 2 3150`s as I`ll be opening the unit up anyways for the IEC upgrade and might as well throw them on. I think it was Enjoy the Music that hada good review on this tweak, especially the tubes on the amps. BTW, my amps should be competed and shipped from the factory any day now. Regards, Robin

Robin,

Let me know if the Hal-o rings work out. You are planning to listen to the units stock for awhile before installing right? Otherwise you won't know what difference they did or didn't make.

John

satfrat · « **Reply #55 on:** 5 Aug 2003, 04:18 pm »

That would be the logical thing to do John but for $73, I probably won`t bother. I`ll just rely on Wayne`s superior knowledge of tube components and follow suit. They sure as hell can`t hurt!

Regards, Robin

John B · « **Reply #56 on:** 5 Aug 2003, 05:06 pm »

Ah come on Robin

Where's the scientist in ya?

Luis hasn't had any experience with tube dampers so he couldn't comment on whether they'd have a positive influence on the 5150. He has experimented with amplifier isolation platforms and surprisingly he found no difference in sound quality when using them. Tube components are supposed to greatly benefit from these platforms. The Butler design apparently is not effected by vibrations to the degree that other designs are. Which also makes me wonder if tube dampers would have any effect. Where's a scientist when you need one

satfrat · « **Reply #57 on:** 5 Aug 2003, 06:00 pm »

hehe, I`m what would be considered a "lazy bastard" scientist... I`ll skate on the findings of others thank you.

Regards, Robin

John B · « **Reply #58 on:** 12 Aug 2003, 08:04 pm »

Robin,

You get your Butler amps yet? We need to finish our discussion/evaluation of this amp here, as I understand this area is about to become a 2-ch only area

Gordy · « **Reply #59 on:** 12 Aug 2003, 11:22 pm »

Hi All, I highly recommend Herbie's dampers. In my system they make for better clarity or focus in the staging and more ambience if it's there. Not sure how others would discribe it. This would be opposed to a more dynamic sound ala ac conditioning. IMO, of course, as I live in hifi isolation... Please excuse if this is the wrong thread! Gordy