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Which Solid State Amplifier is Making you Happy?

I'm trying to find a new amplifier to replace a Musical Fidelity A3CR. There are lots of candidates: Rowland 501s, Pass Labs 350.5, Levinson 431/432, H2O, etc. What are people using and what has been a good sonic investment? I'm currently driving B&W N803s, so it's a pretty normal load. My MF amp does not offer enough punch or bass control. It flattens out at higher volumes. I'll spend what it takes, new or used. Less than $8K would be nice. All comments welcome.
Peter
pscialli
timchen
93 posts
 
I have been using Symphonic Line from Germany for many years now,and I am very happy about the sound. it is a musical amp.

Tim
ehoehn
169 posts
 
Bryston 4bsst - Component of Merit in Bound for Sound
wccoe
75 posts
 
Odyssey Stratos Monoblocks "Full Gary" Version. More of everything.
thomasheisig
568 posts
 
Pass Aleph Mono amps.
hassel
248 posts
 
I second the McIntosh vote. I drive Shahinian Diapasons with a MC402, and although the Diapasons are no easy load, the Mac drives them with ease. Even at listening at hairsplitting volumes to Mahler or AC/DC, the amp hardly gets warm. I was looking for a bass-strong, musica l amp, and have found it. A friend of mine runs his Diapasons with a Plinius SA-102, and is equally happy. Two fine amps which are easy to find used, too.
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