It's been a while since we talked about our amplifiers (23 months in fact). So we'd like to know what you are using now and why you like it.
COMMENTS
I am presently using a pair of monoblock Odysseys. They are quite affordable for such a quality product that delivers exceptional sound, wonderful speaker control and finese. The sounds seems to get out of the speakers without being to forward and sharp. The Odyssey's get out of the way! They are gorgeous in fit and finish of high end quality. They are such a pleasure!
Currently, I'm using a Proceed AMP 2 for my left and right speakers (Hales Revelation Threes) and a Parasound multi-channel amp for my center and surrounds, but a change is on the way in the form of a Proceed HPA 2 which I found on the internet. It will replace my AMP 2--which will be moved into a second system. I prefer solid state for its neutrality and power. Though tubes have their strengths, the reliability factor is a major weakness.
I have a Nagra PLP pre with ATC 50asl active spkrs. Valve or solid state doesn't interest me. Waht matters is whether ror not I like the sound. The Nagra has two bonuses, as well as sounding good, it has a free phono stage and h/phone amp thrown in!
I wish I had gone to tubes years ago. Not all the dot-zeros for distortion, but still under .5% and much more musical, with greater depth and air. Can't deny that it looks very cool as well. Not everyone's cup of tea for sure, but whether it is high-end tube or mid-fi tube, worth auditioning.
A Classè CA-300 because it is: 1) powerful enough to drive anything I have or plan to have; 2) It is quiet, as in no hum, buzz, or other extraneous electronic noise; 3) It has balanced and single-ended inputs; 4) It has the best output connectors (1/4" gold plated bolts); 5) It is built extremely well; and 6) It looks great and sounds even better.
bryston 3B, early 80's, still chugging along. most of my system is early 80's vintage. the prime mover for solid state is cost. i wanted to do a beer budget high end system and got buy for about $3k (early 80's dollars). ps audio ivH preamp, vandersteen 2C speakers and a harmon kardon T-60 turntable. i have a psaudio HCA-2 power amp on order for a 30 day trial. most of my stuff is vinyl so i will probably stay with the psaudio pre-amp unless you guys have a better idea. they do not make pre-amps with built in phono stages anymore. i can understand why because of the CD market.
The Air Tight 211s are such an incredible match with the Avantgarde Duos. They bring back all I remember about musical involvement after 10 years of listening to (some of the best) solid-state products. It's all about the music.
ARC vt-100. Tremendous sound. A Midrange so glorious that even my my wife commented on the improvement over my Macintosh MC 2002. It achieved a very high "wife-acceptance" factor sonically. So even if the "better-half" is less than thrilled over yet another ghastly expense, she may very well be far more tolerant if only she listens to a good tube amplifier.
I've got a pair of Kenwood L-07Ms, now entering their third decade, that just about kick the butt out of most amps today under $3000. And I paid $300 for them used, in mint condition, including all boxes and paperwork. I've had Krells and Levinsons in my system and, other than heating my house with their Class-A excess, they really didn't do all that much better. Yeah, go used and, yeah, for a brief period, go Kenwood!
I have two systems. One in my living room and one in my study. They are both solid-state stereo. Tubes have too much coloration for me and it almost always shows up on the objective tests. JA, in his tests, has shown that many tube amps have big problems. This, after the subjective report had gone on about the "warm or musical" sound of a tube amp. Other problems aside, tube amps are rarely linear when they are feeding a reactive load, which applies to all speaker systems. I have a powered subwoofer in each of my systems but I don't think those count for this survey. I don't want multichannel for more reasons than anyone wants to read, including me.
| Loudspeakers Amplification Digital Sources |  |
Analog Sources Accessories Featured | |
Music Columns Retired Columns | |
Show Reports | |
Features Latest News Community | |
Resources Subscriptions |
© 2024 Stereophile
