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Suggestions wanted for a relatively low power SS power amplifier (possibly integrated) to match my Avantgarde horn speakers of 102 dB efficiency. Budget up to about £4000 / $6000.
Considering:
Pass Labs XA-30.5 or .8
Benchmark AHB2 - I have high hopes for this amp!
Sugden Masterclass IA-4
ATC P1
Densen B-310+
T&A Amp 8
Lindemann Musicbook 50
Lindell AMPX or near identical Audreal PA-20 or Xindak pa-m
Thanks
Peter
Follow Ups:
Peter, do your tube amps somehow fall short with Avantgarde's or are you just looking to SS for its convenience?
Thanks,
Serge
No I'm very happy with the sound of music with my valve amps, although I'd prefer less noise. It's not much but it's undeniably there. The main reason though is that I tend to turn on my amps when I want to LISTEN to music. Therefore, when I just want background radio, or if I'm watching TV, I don't do so via my main amps.
If I has solid state, they'd be on all the time and I'd enjoy my non-critical listening far more - and hopefully critical listening too.
After noting that Avantgarde consider SS best for their own speakers (they manufacture only SS amps) and after reading accounts from a number of other high efficiency speaker users, I've decided to jump ship and go SS.
Despite "digital" amps such as Tripath designs initially enjoying a pretty dreadful reputation, there seem to be such massive improvements in their design that these amps seem to be very favourably compared with valves - and also usually in preference to Class A. The latter had always been considered "the next best thing" to valves, but I'm getting the impression that some of the new digital amps are exceeding the listening pleasure of valves or Class A - and without any background noise.
I've decided to get the new Benchmark AHB2 amplifier which uses a form of digital technology and I'll be trying it out next week. Wish me luck!
Peter
Thanks. Looking forward to your comparison of 845's to Benchmark.
Serge
Bruno Putzeys.
I love saying that.
Bruno Putzeys.
No joking. The guy knows what he's doing and so do Channel Islands.
I have heard the Pass Labs XA30.5 and XA30.8. The XA30.8 is far better on high efficiency speakers.
At your price level, would try the First Watt SIT-2. A very sweet sounding amplifier, and ideal for horns.
Jon Ver Halen
I know you said SS but I would also look at Butler since they can be left on all the time. However, I haven't owned one before because they are out of my price range new and I never seem to find a used one for sale. But I've been curious about them for many years and if I could afford one I would.
Thanks noway. The Butler is obviously a hybrid tube amp of which there are several manufacturers. It only uses a tube as driver - the power is generated by transistors. 250 watts output makes this obvious!
If transistors can offer the sound of tubes for the output stage, one has to question why tubes need to be used anywhere in the circuit!
Peter
Out of what is listed, and I haven't heard everything there, my fav would be the Pass. However, what prompted me to post, I was at Axpona and heard Merrill amps driving 108 dB Sadurni horn speakers and loved it. I was totally shocked to learn Merrill are Class D and not exactly low power, but they sounded great and had nothing in the presentation to alert my ears I was hearing Class D. Merrill allows an audition and their stereo amp is around $2500.00.
> I was totally shocked to learn Merrill are Class D and not exactly low power, but they sounded great and had nothing in the presentation to alert my ears I was hearing Class D. Merrill allows an audition and their stereo amp is around $2500.00.
Alas they are $12,000! See http://www.stereophile.com/content/merrill-and-sadurni-most-musical-combo. Well outside my budget.
How odd that these horn speakers were linked up to 700 watt amplifiers. Perhaps they were attenuated to about a tenth of that to avoid wholesale destruction if some careless visitor got hold of the volume control!
Peter
The big monoblocks are $12k but he told me he has a stereo amp at $2500.00. At the shows they don't let people mess with things :).
I can't see anything on their site about a new low powered amp, not even in News. Having never heard of this company, I'd be reluctant to take a punt on buying a $2,500 amp - specially if their existing range is in the $12,000 price bracket.
Peter
I think he is the same Merrill that started out modifying AR turntables a very long time ago.
Dave
If you are on Merrill's site products are listed on the front page, look for Taranis. I'm not sure how long he's been designing the products or his history, I just know the amp impressed me with it's sound quality. The site also shows a few reviews of his products. The Thor monoblocks are $4800.00 a pair. Did you see where he fits his amps with Stillpoints, Cardas wiring on inside, Synergistic fuses & high quality power cord? These look to be standard on the monoblocks but add-ons with the Taranis. No other amp company I know offers this type of audiophile tweaks. I think Merrill will do well as it looks to be a work of passion and the quality is definitely there both sound and build.
Thanks again Mr Peabody
Interesting that this amp uses Ncore D class technology. I was planning on getting the Benchmark AHB2 which also uses NCore.
I'm inclined to stick to Benchmark for 2 main resons - much lower power output (I just don't want anywhere near 400 watts connected to my valuable high efficiency speakers) and the Benchmark has switchable gain setting. These will allow low gain to keep their modest 100 watts in check.
The 102 dB Avantgardes I have are currently fed by 28 watt 845 amplifiers but I've previously had them singing with just 5 watts from PX-25s!
Peter
Hi Peter, I haven't heard Benchmark but their DAC's were quite popular. If that's the way you go let me know how they sound.
d
Edits: 07/06/15
> Benchmark AHB2 is not NCore, it's a new design
It seems I've been mislead by a misinformed reviewer! I've also ordered a Benchmark today and will be getting my hands on it early next week. Let's compare notes? What speakers do you use?
Peter
d
Edits: 07/06/15
> Klipsch 280F. Did I made you buy it? lolNo although I received favourable comments from a number of sources.
Someone here (Serge S on Amps Forum) suggested I read the threads on the AV Forums initiated by Blazar who has Trios and seemingly enough cash to be able to experiment with just about any amp he thought may sound great. His tests have included various valve amps, Pass Labs, First Watt, NAD and other SS including the Benchmark that he singles out as pretty amazing considering its price. Let's hope he's right as mine is due to arrive next week!
Peter
Edits: 05/01/15
I really6 like the music I hear from my horns using Nelson Pass' First Watt F-3 JFET amps.
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