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Amp/Preamp Asylum Looking for a new Amp or Preamp? If you're after tubes, post over here. |
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Amp/Preamp Asylum Looking for a new Amp or Preamp? If you're after tubes, post over here. |
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In Reply to: Stories from people who have moved from tubes to SS posted by beppe61 on November 25, 2014 at 23:10:49:
Hearing is believing...and I never thought a SS amp would compare to the tube amps/preamps I've owned over the years, but after doing some research on SS amps used with Merlin speakers (notorious for their affinity to tubes) I stumbled upon the Neodio NR-600 Signature integrated amp, sourced in France. You will not find these often on the market - due to a paucity of dealers in the USA (as in NONE). However, if you do see a used one come up for sale, and you are truly curious to hear a SS amp that sounds like, no make that better, than most tube amps, then I suggest you give it a try. This amp has all the exalted tube attributes of the best modern tube amps, melded with the immediacy and accuracy often associated with Class A SS amps.
If 100 wpc is enough for your speakers, this amp will truly surprise you with its sound quality. I'm using mine with my Merlin VSM-MXe speakers and the latest Audience AU24 SE cables, with digits flowing from my Bel Canto 2.5 DAC via several source components - and even Pandora over my Grace internet tuner sounds palpable - no small feat! The tone is far "warmer" than any SS amp I've experienced, even when fed by a tubed preamp. The air is "there" as are all the spatial cues I used to think only possible from the likes of my BAT integrated amp (with tubed preamp section).
The driver behind this SS goodness may likely emanate from the "memory distortion-free" technology that began with the Lavardin amps. The overall parts quality is also stellar. Not saying that there aren't any tube amps out there that can better it - but if you're looking for a SS amp with tube-like qualities (including fatigue-free listening at all frequencies) you may find the Neodio a great choice. My amp has now been replaced in the Neodio line by the NR800 (also 100 wpc). They also offer a more powerful 150 wpc version, known as the NR1500, with the NR1500 Signature offering a few additional upgrades, such as a constrained layer cover for better isolation. For the foreseeable future, I see no reason to return to tubes - this after 25 years of Conrad Johnson, BAT, Bel Canto, Cary, Unison Research, Rogue, etc. Those were all GREAT amps - and so is the Neodio.
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Follow Ups
- Neodio - DKL 18:12:38 11/26/14 (2)
- RE: Neodio - fantja 04:52:45 11/27/14 (1)
- RE: Neodio - DKL 08:52:55 11/27/14 (0)
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