2. amps-preamps
  3. 1228262008

The best amp for $2k tube, solid state or hybrid

I want to purchase another amp. I've had GAS Ampzilla's, Melos MAT-180, Karan Acoustic KA-i180, a kit tube amp using dynaco st-70 transformers and UCD class D monos.

I am thinking Butler TBD 2250, Mark Levinson 27.5, Quicksilver V4, Rouge Audio M150, Llano Designs Trinity, Pass Labs X250.

I listen to 70's head/rock (ELP, Genesis, Pink Floyd) and some Jazz. I have a Audio Mirror tubed preamp (model PP1) an NAD T-585 cd/sacd player, Maplenoll Cleo II turntable, ProAc One SC clones and Gemme Audio Tantos.

I want used and to stay under $2500.00 total. I want more of the HIFI sound then the audiophile sound. Sterile is not good for me. Bass must be excellant (Pass X250) and mids should be smooth, but maybe a bit forward. Detail is preferred too, but sound stage and instrument placement is a must. I want to feel the snare drum and hear the fade of the cymbal as well as make out the lowest notes of a pipe organ.

Maybe I am asking too much for my price? Please help with any amp recommendation you've experienced. I am leaning toward the Butler and Pass amps.
stereo
rleff
1,065 posts
 
Maybe the b&k m200 sonata monoblocks or the classe s700 might work for you;I had the sonata's driving merlin 4b+'s and dunlavy scIII's with excellant results.
stereo OP
147 posts
 
I looked at the McCormack a few years ago. I don't remember why I went another direction. I will research them again. They may have been more then I wanted to spend at that time.

I don't know anything about Odyssey amps. They sure are reasonable though. I don't know much about BAT either except they are fully balanced. I don't know their sound.

I've always heard great things about Quicksilvers, but never heard them, but now because of an earlier comment, maybe iI should shy away from tube equipment because of the lack of bass slam. Not sure.

Cayin....which one? I need some power so less then 100 watts would not be good.

B&K m200 were great in their day. I remember them always beating out Adcom, but I think the Butler would destroy them now. I know the Classe name, but I am not familiar with their sound.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
Used Belles 350A Reference or even better, a pair of Belles 150S Reference monoblocks.

IMO, they have less grain, and are more refined than Odyssey Stratos Extreme monoblocks (which I also owned at one time).

There's a purity to the Belles amps that approaches that of the Pass Labs I presently own.
pdspecl
197 posts
 
I like my Sonic Frontiers Power 2 amp I recently picked used for $1600. Plenty of power and very detailed. Very easy tube bias adjustment procedure. Certainly not the warmest of various tubes amps tried including Quicksilver but it powers my QUAD 22L2 and previously powered my older power hungry M7si Mirages with no concerns. The Quicksilver 8417 mono blocks just did not have enough power. I ended up having to bi-amp with solid state on the bottom.
stereo OP
147 posts
 
How would Belles compare to Butler? Both have the same power.

Sonic Frontiers made some nice stuff. Are they still in business? If not who supports them?

I must be honest. I am leaning toward hybrid or solid state.

I am selling my 350M's for the purchase of a new amp. I want to try something different. I have the bug. I have two people interested and I'll see how it pans out. I figure I'd do my homework in the mean time.
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