Hi Sutts,
I saw your previous post regarding the SA 250Mk1V vs. Bryston 14B SST, but because I own the SA 250(not Mk1V) and haven't heard the Brystons..I felt my comments would be of no use to you. I can only comment on the sound of my SA 250 amp and would generally agree with most who find the Plinius sound tubelike smooth and refined. I have mine mated to an ARC LS15 and B&W Matrix 801 S2's, with the modified Van Alstine X-over mods.. I run balanced Transparent cables to the amp and feel this is superior sounding to my older MIT 350 Refs RCA.
I have owned the SA 100 MkII prevoiusly before upgrading to the 250, and the 250 is quite a substantial step up sonically. I dont have quite the bloom and euphoric sound as some have mentioned, probably due to the LS15 being more dry than warm overall. However, That suits me perfectly, especially with the already warm mids and laid back tweeter of the 801's. To my ears, the SA 250 is rather neutral and exceptionally well balanced. Bass is superior to the SA 100 or 102 series amps, and the tubelike mids are kept intact. Something that the 100 and 102 do very well.
What the 250 does so well and better than any amp Iv'e had the pleasure to own(incl. some nice ARC tube monos) is tonal correctness, excellent depth front to back and an expansive soundstage that has superb inner detail without being forward, and stays focused and together when pushed. My tube amps lacked that ability. It is very musical for such a powerful(and BIG) amp. It may not be the last word in bass slam for sure..but it does VERY well on my 801's which at times seem like they are mated to a sub on certain passages in the recording. something my old 100 didn't do. A very solid low end foundation with this amp.
Just a quick mention...I emailed Peter Thomson at Plinius NZ. several weeks back for a copy of the manual. He was very helpfull. He gave me the details of the different iterations of the 250/MkII/MkIII and IV. Basically the MkII and III versions add some changes to the internal wiring and cabeling. and the Mk IV is a whole different amp both internally and with so many changes, there is no upgrade path from the orig. 250 amp. He felt the sonic signature was very close however and that the changes were more for ease of use and easier service by the company. This.. FWIW to you. Hope this helps somewhat. :) Ken
I saw your previous post regarding the SA 250Mk1V vs. Bryston 14B SST, but because I own the SA 250(not Mk1V) and haven't heard the Brystons..I felt my comments would be of no use to you. I can only comment on the sound of my SA 250 amp and would generally agree with most who find the Plinius sound tubelike smooth and refined. I have mine mated to an ARC LS15 and B&W Matrix 801 S2's, with the modified Van Alstine X-over mods.. I run balanced Transparent cables to the amp and feel this is superior sounding to my older MIT 350 Refs RCA.
I have owned the SA 100 MkII prevoiusly before upgrading to the 250, and the 250 is quite a substantial step up sonically. I dont have quite the bloom and euphoric sound as some have mentioned, probably due to the LS15 being more dry than warm overall. However, That suits me perfectly, especially with the already warm mids and laid back tweeter of the 801's. To my ears, the SA 250 is rather neutral and exceptionally well balanced. Bass is superior to the SA 100 or 102 series amps, and the tubelike mids are kept intact. Something that the 100 and 102 do very well.
What the 250 does so well and better than any amp Iv'e had the pleasure to own(incl. some nice ARC tube monos) is tonal correctness, excellent depth front to back and an expansive soundstage that has superb inner detail without being forward, and stays focused and together when pushed. My tube amps lacked that ability. It is very musical for such a powerful(and BIG) amp. It may not be the last word in bass slam for sure..but it does VERY well on my 801's which at times seem like they are mated to a sub on certain passages in the recording. something my old 100 didn't do. A very solid low end foundation with this amp.
Just a quick mention...I emailed Peter Thomson at Plinius NZ. several weeks back for a copy of the manual. He was very helpfull. He gave me the details of the different iterations of the 250/MkII/MkIII and IV. Basically the MkII and III versions add some changes to the internal wiring and cabeling. and the Mk IV is a whole different amp both internally and with so many changes, there is no upgrade path from the orig. 250 amp. He felt the sonic signature was very close however and that the changes were more for ease of use and easier service by the company. This.. FWIW to you. Hope this helps somewhat. :) Ken