Budget Amp for Avalon Eidolon

Hello Whitewind,

I'm sorry to hear that. The BAT 150se mono-block amps are very special to me and I wouldn't trade them for anything I've heard this far.

I've auditioned many of the top well respected amps both tube (hybrid, OTL's) and solid-state in my system and others and IMO the BAT's have more than held their own and in some cases have embarrassed the competiton.

Eavrll, I had run my Eidolons and now my Eidolon Diamonds with the BAT 150se and the 51se pre-amp and IMO it is a great combo that has taken on all competitors and stood up against the test of time bringing musical enjoyment to me on the highest level. At the going used price I think they are a steal!

Good luck in finding what makes you happy.

All the best,
Tom

Eavr11, I believe the Atma-Sphere MA-1 will drive the Eidolons just fine with probably a bit less control and authority in the bass than the MA-2 provides, but I've not heard this combination myself so I'm working second hand here and extrapolating from what I hear with the MA-2s. Ralph tells me his customers using the MA-1 with Eidolons are reporting good things to him. If you're interested in considering this combination, I encourage you to call or email Ralph directly to hear what he has to say. As compared to other amps you might use, what you may not quite have in terms of ultimate bass authority, you will more than offset by the benefits these marvelous Class A Triode OTLs offer in terms of transparency, resolution, speed, timbral accuracy and the superb rendering of harmonic overtones.

Be aware that if you buy a used Atma-Sphere amp, you can have it shipped to the factory for them to check out and upgrade to current factory spec. If they do that, they will extend a "new" warranty to you with the update. As I've commented elsewhere, the update from the MkII.2 to MkII.3 on my MA-2 was a very significant improvement, and I'd encourage anyone with a MkII.2 Atma-Sphere amp to seriously consider making this upgrade.

As to the autoformers, clearly don't use them unless there is a need to change the speaker's impedance. I hear both very positive things from owners who use them, and I hear more neutral comments. From what I've gathered in talking to people who've tried them, I think you have to try them in your system relative to your listening priorities.

Tom (Trcnetmsncom), I agree with your assessment of the BAT 150se monobloacks driving the Eidolons. The sound I heard on your system with the BAT electronics driving your Eidolon Diamonds was very good, indeed. To my ear, the combination presented a very neutral, detailed and dynamic sound, with excellent soundstaging, that is very pleasing for long term listening. I would far prefer this combination to any solid state amp I've heard with the Eidolons, and to quite a number of other tube amps as well.
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Thank you everyone for your response. I decided to buy second hand CAT JL2. CAT doesn't have distributor in Australia and I can't audition the amplifier. But after having numerous conversations with owners of CAT and Eidolon speakers I'm inclined to obtain CAT JL2

As for Atma Sphere MA-1 Mk2.III I received some great and some discouraging opinions in regards to matching it with low impedance Avalon Eidolon. I'd love to listen to this great amp but Atma Sphere dealer is in another state and asking $500 for transporting for an audition in my place. Taking in account discouraging opinions and 50/50 chance of leaving the amp in my place after audition I decided not to go ahead.

Eavrll,

Just wanted to wish you well with the new amps.

Enjoy,
Tom

Eavr11, even though you already made your purchase decision, I wanted to weigh in here with another recommendation for others who may read this thread. I have used the Avalon Eidolons for nearly 5 years now, and have tried several amps with them, tube and solid state.

I recently decided to try a Class D amp to see what the fuss was all about. After reviewing the offerings in the market, I acquired a pair of the Gilmore Class D Raptor 500D's. These class D monoblock amps offer 500 watts per channel into 4 ohms, and they are priced at a very reasonable $5000 for the pair.

I was blown away by what these Gilmore Raptor amps could do with my Eidolons! They easily and substantially bettered the Parasound JC1's I used for over a year, which sell for $6000 a pair. Soundstaging, a great strength of the Eidolons, was even more fabulous with these amps. The level of detail that comes through is also incredible. I particularly enjoyed these amps with good rock recordings. I'm so impressed with these amps, I plan to write a review on them in the near future, but wanted to offer this recommendation now for those seeking a reasonably priced pair of solid state amps for their Eidolons.