amps with earthy tone

RE: amps with earthy tone, posted on July 6, 2016 at 13:48:41
Duster Manufacturer Posts: 17117 Location: Pacific Northwest Joined: August 25, 2002	Hi gkirkos, Are you interested in solid state or tube, and what RMS power level?

RE: amps with earthy tone, posted on July 6, 2016 at 16:19:27
gkirkos Audiophile Posts: 201 Location: Seattle Joined: February 6, 2015	Solid state, 40-80 wpc

RE: amps with earthy tone, posted on July 6, 2016 at 16:31:29
Tweaker456	If I were you I'd listen to some fet output amps and put some Elna Silmic II capacitors where appropriate. Maybe do some research to find a direct coupled fet amp. The Elna Silmic caps have that signature. Tweaker

RE: amps with earthy tone, posted on July 6, 2016 at 17:34:49

airtime
Audiophile

Posts: 11287
Location: Arizona
Joined: February 4, 2003

You just described all of the 70's Marantz stereos. Muscle with a sweet tone.

The common 2230 has more brute muscle than my new 150 watt stereo. And sounds better to boot.

My all time favorite Marantz was the 250 amp. It is also in the 1200 integrated amp as well.

http://www.classic-audio.com/marantz/mindex.html

RE: amps with earthy tone, posted on July 6, 2016 at 20:31:50
Tweaker456	Consider the fact that the signature you are looking for can come from more than just the amp. T

RE: amps with earthy tone, posted on July 9, 2016 at 16:41:23

Duster
Manufacturer

Posts: 17117
Location: Pacific Northwest
Joined: August 25, 2002

You might consider a used Bryston 3B-ST (not the newer 3B-SST which sounds more neutral, IME) -- even though the RMS power output is somewhat higher than your stated goal, the 3B-ST sometimes sells around the same price as lower power output Bryston power amplifiers. Also, the Lexicon NT-212 is essentially a Bryston 3B-ST badged as the NT-212 to place within a Lexicon high-end home theater product line-up. The Lexicon NT-212 can also be found in the used marketplace at a good price. I use one for a customized stereo subwoofer system, and the Lexicon NT-212/Bryston 3B-ST provides a stellar bottom-end, and low-frequency soundstage presentation. It's said to rival all but the best in authoritative bass performance levels. I recommend fine-tuning the power amplifier with an audiophile-quality aftermarket power cord, and vibration control platform and footers. YMMV

RE: amps with earthy tone, posted on July 9, 2016 at 20:16:36

Mr Peabody
Audiophile

Posts: 1109
Location: St. Louis, MO, USA
Joined: August 14, 2010

When you look up "earthy" in the big book of audio adjectives, you will see a picture of the Adcom GFA-5500. Although I don't necessarily equate "earthy" with "rolled off" This amp has more power than you were looking for , out of production, but can be had used for around $500 or so. There's also the 535 more to the power rating stated but not nearly as high sound quality.

I attribute the "earthiness" to a MOSFET output stage. I share your enjoyment of the dark background. More modern amps seem to be getting away from that. Older Krell and Levinson, I wouldn't call "earthy" but the sound definitely emanated from a velvet dark background. Although I've not heard them you might also consider the older MF solid state amps from Conrad Johnson.

ATI is another "earthy" sounding amp that can be had new, but they are beasts. The cheaper lower powered models had some past reliability issues but I haven't heard whether that's gotten under control. The 2k & 3k model series have been solid to my knowledge.

Trust me though, if you really mean "earthy", find one of those Adcom gfa-5500's and you will be in love. I foolishly sold one years back wishing I had kept it just for the unique sonic signature.

RE: amps with earthy tone, posted on July 9, 2016 at 22:26:49
Sturgus Audiophile Posts: 170 Location: Midwest (St. Louis) Joined: October 20, 1999	A few I can think of. 1: Krell KSA-50 an old amp but nice 2: BEL amps 3: B&K monos 4: Musical Designs D-140 and the D-75/tube driver board. http://www.musicaldesign.com/MD_T75.html

RE: amps with earthy tone, posted on July 11, 2016 at 09:16:02
fantja Audiophile Posts: 15518 Location: Alabama Joined: September 11, 2010	Adcom.

RE: amps with earthy tone, posted on July 13, 2016 at 20:23:20
yellomust@hotmail.com Audiophile Posts: 1 Location: so ind Joined: March 29, 2014	acoustat tnt 200 w/ roys upgrades

The Adcom GFA 555 mk II was also earthy, posted on July 14, 2016 at 06:58:50

Feanor
Audiophile

Posts: 9853
Location: London, Ontario
Joined: June 17, 2003
Contributor
Since: March 12, 2004

I owned one of these a few years ago and it was a pleasing, "earthy" sounding amp.

Unlike the GFA 5500, the 555-II used bi-polar transistors, not MOSFETs. The 555 II is still available new today as the GFA-555se, (see link below). The price is US$1299 which, IMO, is a bit of a bargain. Meanwhile used 555-II's are probably going for roughly US$500.

Dmitri Shostakovich

ADCOM GFA-555se

Amp/Preamp Asylum

amps with earthy tone

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