Well, which amp next?

TomS · « **Reply #40 on:** 23 Jul 2008, 10:13 pm »

Quote from: Big Red Machine on 23 Jul 2008, 09:51 pm

My biggest fear with something like the Manleys is getting rid of them someday w/o losing my butt. Resale of more "popular" amps like McCormack, Spectron, Pass, etc. is much easier if you look at the number of days a listing for some of these amps sit before moving. So my current dilemma is deciding between what might "boogie" and the downside risk later on. Plus the heat and maintenance of tube amps. But boogie is definitely intriguing.

I can relate to this having bought Joule amps brand new. Great stuff, but you have to be patient to find the right buyer if you decide to move on.

Have you considered Hugh Dean's new AKSA amp? The new Aztec is a 200w version of the Soraya 100w that has been very well received. Occam upgraded to the Soraya, and last I heard, really liked his a lot.

Tom

Big Red Machine · « **Reply #41 on:** 23 Jul 2008, 10:36 pm »

Quote from: TomS on 23 Jul 2008, 10:13 pm

Quote from: Big Red Machine on 23 Jul 2008, 09:51 pm

My biggest fear with something like the Manleys is getting rid of them someday w/o losing my butt. Resale of more "popular" amps like McCormack, Spectron, Pass, etc. is much easier if you look at the number of days a listing for some of these amps sit before moving. So my current dilemma is deciding between what might "boogie" and the downside risk later on. Plus the heat and maintenance of tube amps. But boogie is definitely intriguing.
I can relate to this having bought Joule amps brand new. Great stuff, but you have to be patient to find the right buyer if you decide to move on.

Have you considered Hugh Dean's new AKSA amp? The new Aztec is a 200w version of the Soraya 100w that has been very well received. Occam upgraded to the Soraya, and last I heard, really liked his a lot.

Tom

I know zilch about these. Is there a website?

topround · « **Reply #42 on:** 23 Jul 2008, 10:44 pm »

If I had the cash, I would be all over this amp

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstube&1221835114

Have not heard one but i know two people who had one and they said it is the holy grail of tubes

TomS · « **Reply #43 on:** 23 Jul 2008, 10:58 pm »

Quote from: Big Red Machine on 23 Jul 2008, 10:36 pm

I know zilch about these. Is there a website?

www.aksaonline.com

Best info is on the AKSA circle here on AC.

zybar · « **Reply #44 on:** 23 Jul 2008, 11:17 pm »

Quote from: jonwb on 23 Jul 2008, 10:12 pm

Quote from: Big Red Machine on 20 Jul 2008, 11:56 pm
Quote from: mca on 20 Jul 2008, 11:54 pm
What did you not like about the Pass?

I like it. It is perhaps a little too polite for me. I think I can get more bass and some more fleshy midrange elsewhere. It is my reference for sound so far though. If my hectic pace brings me back to another Pass I will be happy.

While a bit less spendy than the other suggestions... have you ever had a chance to listen to Hugh's AKSA amps (http://www.aksaonline.com/buying/buying_price.html)? I had his 100N+ unit (no longer the top of his range), in my system for demo purposes a while back and I've missed it ever since. I'm still kicking myself for not just building/buying one back then. GREAT bass... by that I don't necessarily mean alot/too much, I mean its just right. Strong, tight, clean... great midrange too... Oh well... maybe someday I'll get one.

Good luck in your search. In general, I think its tough getting the right match w/ your speakers. I'm amazed by how different one amp sounds to another.

Based on what I heard at RMAF, I have no doubt that Hugh's newest creation will sound excellent and could be a way to get off the merry-go-round.

However, you can only buy it new, so it is going to cost as much or more than many of the amps listed previously that can be bought used at an already depreciated price on Audiogon.

It is a crying shame that Hugh is located in Oz (although I am sure Hugh feels differently) and that it isn't easy to audition his products. I think if he was US based, we would all be hearing a lot about Hugh's talents.

George

Big Red Machine · « **Reply #45 on:** 24 Jul 2008, 12:17 am »

Well I took a step back and decided to just get something to tide me over for a while. A Carver Sig 600 II
http://www.sunfire.com/Signature600FrontPR.htm

Grabbed a used one at a decent price.

RodMCV · « **Reply #46 on:** 24 Jul 2008, 12:34 am »

I always wondered how that amp plays.
Is it really a step back?
Like to know as you have a lot of amp experience.

Rod

Big Red Machine · « **Reply #47 on:** 24 Jul 2008, 12:50 am »

Me too. I began to think that maybe I could spend more time at RMAF looking at amplifiers instead of pulling the trigger on an expensive boat anchor right now as it is a crap shoot sometimes.

RodMCV · « **Reply #48 on:** 24 Jul 2008, 12:51 am »

I be there too!

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #49 on:** 24 Jul 2008, 12:59 am »

Hey Pete...

What are you looking for in the "perfect amp" for the Salk's ?

I see you don't want to "mess" with tubes....and you want something that runs cool...and has power....and good tight bass. What else....???

arthurs · « **Reply #50 on:** 24 Jul 2008, 01:07 am »

The Sunfire will surprise you Pete, damn fine amp...

Big Red Machine · « **Reply #51 on:** 24 Jul 2008, 01:10 am »

Quote from: lonewolfny42 on 24 Jul 2008, 12:59 am

Hey Pete...

What are you looking for in the "perfect amp" for the Salk's ?

I see you don't want to "mess" with tubes....and you want something that runs cool...and has power....and good tight bass. What else....???

Hey, my wife can't be the only one who's hard to please.

Big Red Machine · « **Reply #52 on:** 24 Jul 2008, 01:14 am »

Quote from: arthurs on 24 Jul 2008, 01:07 am

The Sunfire will surprise you Pete, damn fine amp...

Throwing caution to the wind for a small amount of cash I figured 600 watts and cool running gets me pretty close and then having the voltage and current taps to try and possibly bi-wire with, it could be a fun amp. I was really close to getting the Manleys or a Gamut. For half the price of the Manleys and the same price as the Gamut but 3x more power, I said enough for now. Also in the back of my mind is Jim is promising higher efficiency on the HTX speakers and perhaps a lower powered tube amp might be worth trying then.

satfrat · « **Reply #53 on:** 24 Jul 2008, 01:21 am »

Quote from: Big Red Machine on 24 Jul 2008, 12:17 am

Well I took a step back and decided to just get something to tide me over for a while. A Carver Sig 600 II
http://www.sunfire.com/Signature600FrontPR.htm

Grabbed a used one at a decent price.

I'll be curious to hear some feedback from ya. I've never personally heard the Sunfire amps but I do love my Sunfire Theater Grand 4 processor with my Butler amps.

Cheers,
Robin

Big Red Machine · « **Reply #54 on:** 24 Jul 2008, 01:30 am »

It'll be here Mon or Tues but I won't. I'll be in Minneapolis and Milwaukee next week.

KeithR · « **Reply #55 on:** 24 Jul 2008, 01:52 am »

Quote from: Big Red Machine on 23 Jul 2008, 09:51 pm

Quote from: KeithR on 23 Jul 2008, 02:48 pm
Love the Manleys off that list if you can take the heat. Sound very different than the VTLs. They just down right boogie.

I'm eyeing a pair of Snappers myself as i don't need that much power.

I've been hanging out at a bunch of pro audio forums lately....Manley is very popular pro gear. Much moreso than on the hifi side. My buddy wants her massive passive EQ

If you want to stay SS and avoid digital...check out a Krell 700cx. Very, very good amp at 6500 used.

My biggest fear with something like the Manleys is getting rid of them someday w/o losing my butt. Resale of more "popular" amps like McCormack, Spectron, Pass, etc. is much easier if you look at the number of days a listing for some of these amps sit before moving. So my current dilemma is deciding between what might "boogie" and the downside risk later on. Plus the heat and maintenance of tube amps. But boogie is definitely intriguing.

Manley's aren't that hard to move. in fact, i would say they are more popular than McCormack and Spectron---no, they aren't Pass, Krell, Levinson but not much is. I think the 250s may be more difficult than others because---20 tubes is expensive to retube. The 500s are not as good as the 250s, and is not a very popular animal---Eveanna will say she much prefers the 250 if it can drive your speakers.

Another would be a BAT VK75SE for 4.5k---thats always going to be easier to move (and is better than the BAT ss stuff imho). Has a lot more drive than the specs say....HUGE transformers. Only problem there is i have a hankering they are due for a new line of tube amps (i am not rumour mongering, it just would make sense). Another stereo amp that is interesting is the Cary V12

but enjoy your Carver for awhile

KR

Double Ugly · « **Reply #56 on:** 24 Jul 2008, 04:14 am »

Quote from: Big Red Machine on 24 Jul 2008, 12:17 am

Well I took a step back and decided to just get something to tide me over for a while. A Carver Sig 600 II
http://www.sunfire.com/Signature600FrontPR.htm

Grabbed a used one at a decent price.

Probably a wise move. Let things settle a bit and perhaps find a way to spend some time with the candidates on your list.

zybar · « **Reply #57 on:** 6 Aug 2008, 07:49 pm »

Pete,

I know these are out of your price range, but I thought you would love the specs on these:

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1223233518

1100 watts RMS continuous power into 8 ohms, 20-20,000 Hz, with distortion no more than .05%.

George

AliG · « **Reply #58 on:** 6 Aug 2008, 09:26 pm »

I need a solid state amp that sounds like Moscode 401HR but uses balanced inputs.. any idea? Price not more than $10k.

zybar · « **Reply #59 on:** 6 Aug 2008, 10:10 pm »

Quote from: AliG on 6 Aug 2008, 09:26 pm

I need a solid state amp that sounds like Moscode 401HR but uses balanced inputs.. any idea? Price not more than $10k.

Barry,

Here are a few candidates:

BAT VK600SE
Pass XA 100.5

I definitely preferred the BAT in every way to the Moscode and I think that the Pass amp would be an upgrade as well.

Both can be had well under $10k used.

George