[Sasha]

Hello guys,
My first post in this forum.
Can anyone say what Fet Valve Ultra 350 or 550 sounds like in comparison to other SS amplifiers, is there a relatively well known amplifier that Fet Valve is similar to?
As an example, if one creates a group of amplifiers based on sound signature, and says that in one group you have amps represented by let’s say McCormack (very warm, slow type of sound), in second group you have amps represented by Bryston (clean, very open and fast sounding), in third group you have amps represented by let’s say Hovland (which are like nothing else, kind of harmonically rich with seductive sound), forth one represented by let’s say Halcro that excels in almost everything (right timbre, fast, great PRAT, open sounding), and so on, where would Fet Valve fall into?
I went through various forums but there is really not plenty of information available, so it is hard to make any conclusions.
I know about 30 day option, but paying for shipping, brokerage fees across the border, etc. is not tempting.

[sueata1]

What kind of speakers are you driving???
What else ya got in your system,,,,preamp,,,etc.,,,?
Mel

[Art_Chicago]

Sasha,
I do not know if you'll get the answer you are looking for, but this link may help you:
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=42979.0

where are you located?

[Sasha]

Speakers will be of a similar design to PMC IB2 which I just sold, ATC dome mid with SS 9900 tweeter and Volt RV3143 bas but not in TL, 70 litres.
Present pre-amp is Bryston BP2.
I am located in Toronto.

[Sasha]

Sasha,
I do not know if you'll get the answer you are looking for, but this link may help you:
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=42979.0

where are you located?

I have seen this thread, the problem is that amps mentioned are Hafler, Adcom , Dynaco and the likes, is that is what AVA compares to?

[Art_Chicago]

I have seen this thread, the problem is that amps mentioned are Hafler, Adcom , Dynaco and the likes, is that is what AVA compares to?
[/quote]
I see Audio Research, Bryston, Classe, Carver and others, although most do not list all the brands they went through. The Absolute Sound said quite a few good words about AVA, inclduding the best sound for the money at RMAF 2008. The system included Fet Valve 550 and Salk Songtower loudspeakers.

[avahifi]

If you go to this thread and scroll down to some of Martyo's comments, you will find a comparison of our Insight 440H solid state amplifier and Ultra 550 hybrid.

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=63500.0

Martyo will likely have a few more comments on the Double 550 soon.

Regards,

Frank Van Alstine

[BrianM]

I can compare the Fet Valve to Bryston a bit. I used to own a 3BST and also heard the 4BST (which sounded the same to me apart from the benefits of more power). Of course, Bryston has made upgrades to its amps since then, but with that caveat I liked the AVA better because it didn't have the solid state sound, which to me means a slight hard edge and/or grain in the treble. Actually I thought Bryston managed this inherent grain very well by mellowing it off - not a clinical or "hard" sounding amp, actually a tiny bit warm but seemingly at the expense of some clarity and immediacy. The Fet Valve to my ears had more open and extended highs, even more immediacy and transparency, and a more solid image.  Both amps are very fast.

[Sasha]

I can compare the Fet Valve to Bryston a bit. I used to own a 3BST and also heard the 4BST (which sounded the same to me apart from the benefits of more power). Of course, Bryston has made upgrades to its amps since then, but with that caveat I liked the AVA better because it didn't have the solid state sound, which to me means a slight hard edge and/or grain in the treble. Actually I thought Bryston managed this inherent grain very well by mellowing it off - not a clinical or "hard" sounding amp, actually a tiny bit warm but seemingly at the expense of some clarity and immediacy. The Fet Valve to my ears had more open and extended highs, even more immediacy and transparency, and a more solid image.  Both amps are very fast.

Brian,
What about midrange, is it naturally open and even forward when recording calls for it, or somewhat recessed?
Is it fair to say that Fet Valve leans more towards Bryston sound than towards McCormack, which can be safely placed on opposite side to Bryston?
Fet Valve is not some syrupy amp?

[Sasha]

If you go to this thread and scroll down to some of Martyo's comments, you will find a comparison of our Insight 440H solid state amplifier and Ultra 550 hybrid.

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=63500.0

Martyo will likely have a few more comments on the Double 550 soon.

Regards,

Frank Van Alstine

Thanks Frank,
Unfortunately I have never heard Insight 440H.
I hope someone who has heard some common contenders such as Bryston, Simaudio, Krell, etc. will chime in.

[BrianM]

Sasha-

Recessed, no, syrupy, no. Smooth, yes. To say just how 'open' or 'forward' is tricky given that those things can always be overdetermined by other factors like the speakers, the recording and listening room.  But I'll go ahead and call it a forward sounding amp, in the best sense, in that (associated gear permitting) it will bring all the detail out into the room where you want it, the way live music should sound.  And those using the 550 to drive a reference studio quality speaker like the Salk HT3, which is neutral and unforgiving (i.e. extremely revealing) by design, aren't likely to complain about any lack of openness, quite the contrary.

Is it fair to say that Fet Valve leans more towards Bryston sound than towards McCormack, which can be safely placed on opposite side to Bryston?

Probably fair, yes.

Personally I think it's about the best amp you can buy for the money, and more than good enough to make spending considerably more a little pointless. Does everything well, it does.

[martyo]

Hello guys,
My first post in this forum.
Can anyone say what Fet Valve Ultra 350 or 550 sounds like in comparison to other SS amplifiers, is there a relatively well known amplifier that Fet Valve is similar to?
As an example, if one creates a group of amplifiers based on sound signature, and says that in one group you have amps represented by let’s say McCormack (very warm, slow type of sound), in second group you have amps represented by Bryston (clean, very open and fast sounding), in third group you have amps represented by let’s say Hovland (which are like nothing else, kind of harmonically rich with seductive sound), forth one represented by let’s say Halcro that excels in almost everything (right timbre, fast, great PRAT, open sounding), and so on, where would Fet Valve fall into?
I went through various forums but there is really not plenty of information available, so it is hard to make any conclusions.
I know about 30 day option, but paying for shipping, brokerage fees across the border, etc. is not tempting.

Hi Sasha,

Welcome to the AVA circle. I Drive Salk HT3's with my AVA gear. They are an extremely revealing full range speaker, that suck up the wattage with 84.5db sensitivity. I would describe the Ultra 550 as clean, very open and extended, fast, dynamic, low powerful well defined bass, harmonically rich, correct timbre and decay. Very wide and deep soundstage. There is a richness to the sound that is very real and musical. At the same time the sound is dynamic and powerful, loaded with sock, highs can be delicate.

What about midrange, is it naturally open and even forward when recording calls for it, or somewhat recessed?

If the recording is forward the presentation will be forward, if the recording is further back, so will the presentation. A fellow was over here from Indiana a couple of months back auditioning the HT3's and he was very impressed with that very dimension of the presentation.