what are some of the best amplifiers


I have owned many amplifiers over time. Some were high priced and some were not. My latest finding is a pair of Forte model 7 monoblocks reworked by John Sodderberg. These are very magical amplifiers after 1/2 hour of warm up. The midrange is the best I've heard. Full bodied yet detailed. There is a mystical ring of air and depth that has to be heard to be believed. I have owned Threshold amplifiers(Fortes maker) and feel that the less expensive Fortes(4a and 7's), even in stock form, outperform the Thresholds. I think less is more!
brucefrederick

Showing 3 responses by psychicanimal

I really think one should get a good legendary pair of monoblocks and learn their ways in and out in order to make them sound their best in any system.

Those are words of wisdom.

My Forte 4a will be put up for sale and the money used to upgrade components in my legendary monoblocks:

Marantz Ma-5 Esotec.

The 4a is more powerful and with slightly better HF extension. However, there is NO comparison in musicality: these 30W class A monoblocks put out the 'to die for' midrange and holographic presentation of tube amps along with the sonic neutrality and beef of solid state. Their bass is more extended than the Forte's. However, I also keep them from handling low bass, as they were originally intended to be used with subs. I use a Dan Wright modded Marchand X9 Deluxe x-over* followed by a pair of Kenwood L-07M high current monoblocks (also legendary). The x-over frequency is 80 Hz with a 24dB/octave slope--a perfect match!

* Danny Boy modded the x-over in order to optimize its interaction with a Channel Islands passive pre. This results in the stunning clarity of a passive combined with slam and constant output impedance of an active preamp. It sounds OK.

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Cyrus. Last time I heard that name was when I got my DVD reissue of The Warriors...
I happen to live in my uncle/aunt's vacation cottage in the Caribbean--rent free. I'm a five mile drive from both rain forest and beach. My name is Psychicanimal and I'm a HiFi bum.

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