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Budget Amp for Avalon Eidolon

I noticed here a few conversations already about Avalon Eidolon and best matching amp. It appeared Eidolon sounds best with CAT and Jadis. But I can't afford to buy Eidolon and recommended amp electronics.

Could you please let me know if you had a good experience with 'down to earth' amps with Avalon Eidolon.

My current system is

Meridian 508.24,ARC LS15 Preamp,ARC VT100 MkII, Proac2.5, interconnect(XLR)\speaker cable - NBS Master III, Svetlana valves.

I was considering
1) change only speakers
2) change ARC VT100 for more powerful Mcintosh (don't know which one yet. I found suggestion to bridge MC275 and get 150W per channel.
3)change ARC VT100 for Electrocompaniet AW120 ( Nice SS amp can produce 200W into 4oms)
4)change VT100 for Gamut D200 MkIII ?
5)change VT100 for Ayre V-1xe ?

What are your suggestions?

Please write only if you had an experience with Avalon Eidolon and 'down to earth amps' (under US$10000)
eavr11
whitewind
23 posts
 
I have just given back to the dealer a pair of BAT 150se amps I have had on loan for a week. And although the BATs are competent amps, and do not think they are any special.

You can get an used pair for $8000 here on AgoN.
eavr11 OP
19 posts
 
Rushton

Do I have to use Paul Speltz's Zero autoformers if I'm using Atma Sphere MA-1(OTLs) with Eidolons (3.6Ohm)? Do autoformers deteriorate a quality of sound?
johnk's avatar
johnk
1,490 posts
 
I have heard eidolon with many dif amps this loudspeaker realy needs hiquality powerful amps to sing.We tried Krells ended up with 600watt,Also MF kilowatt this was the best match the audio research 200 watt monos where not near as good as SS. We also tried Aloia 30 WATT and Jadis 80 watt tube monos.They always sounded good but to realy shine they needed the best and lots of power.As allways YMMV
gregpen
9 posts
 
Three recommendations based upon prior (and expensive) listening experience:

1) Gamut D-200 III -- really great all-around solid state amps. IMHO less solid state sounding than other SS amps I auditioned before.
2) Cary Rocket 88 -- Dude! 50 watts that will beat the gamut in terms of 'fun' sound. Bass actually felt more extended than the Gamut! Insane soundstage and very 'tooby' sound.
3) Rowland Concerto integrated. I sold all my crap and got the Rowland 'cause I was sick of the upgrade bug. Sound is like the Gamut, only more of it. Soundstaging is spot-on. Not tubey like the Rocket 88, but since I have no intervening cables and electronics between the amp and the source, I get more "there" there. My new long-term reference for Avalon speakers.

Cheers,
trcnetmsncom
431 posts
 
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
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