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I am hoping to get some additional information after spending some time digging in the archives. I'm a fairly regular poster in the vinyl asylum, but this is my first post here.My plan has been to replace a nice sounding modified NAD amp in the coming year, with a used hybrid or perhaps a modern SS in the sub-$2K range. However I have the opportunity to replace it much sooner (now) with an older Van Alstine hybrid amp (Fet Valve 500, ca 1989, 250 wpc), in good shape and at a good price.
I'm pretty certain that that this amp would be more harmonically revealing than my current amp, and perhaps just as quick in bass response, but I'm also wondering if I should instead just stay the course and get something else in the sub-$2K range later (which might include a current AVA Fet Valve amp). 90% of what I listen to is acoustic music, and 90% of that is orchestral.
Is anybody in here still using this vintage of AVA gear? If so what do you think of it today?
Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.
Jim
Follow Ups:
His latest FET/Valves represent a considerable improvement, but his older ones ain't nothin' to sneeze at either. Wish I had a FET/Valve 500. What are they askin' for it? If it's a good deal, you could always use it for a year, sell it for about what you paid for it.
Thanks, I was thinking that, too. $600 and change.This might not be a fair question, but how might the older AVA compare to say, a more modern pair of Rogue M120 monoblocks? This comparison wouldn't be fair in terms of relative cost but I'm just trying to get a handle on what I might hear if I buy the AVA.
Regards,
Jim
In the past i had Rogue 120 monos, and a AVA 550exr hybrid.The AVA hybrids do not sound tubelike imo, so if you like tubes more than solid state, go with the Rogue 120 monos or maybe AVA all tube units ...........
Thanks. I'm not necessarily looking for "more" of a tube sound than I have now with a tube phono stage and tube line stage. I'm thinking I'll get a greater degree of harmonic completeness with the AVA, while not losing the good bass response that I have now. Do these things characterize the AVA hybrid "sound" in your view? Is the AVA hybrid perhaps competitive with the M120s in harmonic completeness and bass "slam"?Thanks again.
I am not sure what the definition of "harmonic completeness" is, but if you mean the timbre/tonality of the instruments is more natural/smooth/live, then imo tube equipment does that best -- especially SET. I think the AVA hybrids will give you more of that than your NAD, but not to the degree that tube equipmt will.The AVA bass slam is exellent. It will beat the NAD (i have a NAD 372 and 272) or Rogue(tubes in general) in that respect. It also handles dynamics and transients very well --- lots of power too.
As far as tonality, my ears like tubes or class A solid state best -- although i have recently become enamored with McIntosh SS !
its all personal prefference ........ YMMV
by harmonic completeness I primarily meant to describe the degree of resonance evident in acoustic instrument sounds, and degree of fullness of tone/timbre.I very much appreciate your help. By this time tomorrow or Thursday I will have figured this out!
You're not going wrong with either choice, both offer a natural and realistic sound.It has been probably 2 years since I had the Rouge, so memory is a little vauge & I'm currently running a 550exr thats about 10-11 yrs old and was upgraded to exr. They are both very good for what they are, both harmonicaly complete; top to bottom.The M120's advantge is obviously what the tubes bring; fuller notes, better decay, but a slight lack in leading edge definition and soundstage & imaging slightly lacking. Those are really just my nit picks on what are some very good powerful tube amps; authoritive bass but a little loose, excelent mids. I really liked mine and ran them for about 2 years. Self biasing, so that was easy & they did sound better with NOS RCA cleartops in the 12a??. In good shape at....$1400? A very good buy!
The 550exr was a shocker to me, I was not prepared for how good it is (I payed $1250). Again, complete soundfield, more powerful than the m 120's.It's real strength is that it is good to very good in every listening parameter. Dynamic, somewhat transparent, good inner resolution & decay. Up to the task with any type of music. I used a pair of telefunken's which adds to the organic or natural sound.
I Imagine that the original 550 maybe looser in the bass and precision not as good as the exr, but I'm only surmizing.
I agree with the earlier post; at $600 you can easily resell if it's not for you. Anyway, 2 good choices, good luck!
I really appreciate this place, and the expertise in it! Thanks again, you been very helpful.
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