Von Schweikert or Westlake Audio

Bebopman, what type of music do you listen to (is your A'gon name a clue)? If you don't listen to hard rock and heavy metal on a regular basis you have lots of options. Are you thinking tubes or SS?

How r u today BR?I tend to lean towards SS.I listen mainly to jazz n latin music.But sometimes I also listen to rock n pop music like rap,trance,disco n so on.I would not mind tubes if they can give me a good punchy bass coz I like to crank up the volume.The VS dealer in my town is using the CJ solid state.I audition a couple of times n found that with the CJ 350,I cannot turn the volume real loud(I like live music).I do not hear much bass coming out from the 350.The mid n the high were very liquid as u mentioned.I was told the SA Reference has immence power it can even drive the 7 foot tall pipedreams by Nearfield Acoustic.And the sound is rather refined coz it is running on pure class A.Anyhow,the SA Reference is a temporary solution for me coz I will upgrade the amp to the migthy Boulder 2060(which also run in pure class A)in late 2010 or early 2011 when I get my money.Any thoughts on the 2060?Have a nice day

Bebopmen, I do not have any direct experience with Boulder amps but lots of folks here on A'gon seem to like them. Personally, I have had good experience with both CJ and McCormack DNA SS amps. I also had a Krell amp that I used for years with a pair of Apogee ribons. Not as smooth and liquid as the McCormack, but plenty of bass slam. Many folks praise the Plinius amps, and years ago a friend of mine had a great big Classe unit that I remember as impressing me.

As I said before, there are lots of good choices in the SS world. Whare are you located? It it easy to find/ship used gear? That way you might be able to try before you buy - you can always sell something that you ultimately decide not to keep.

I'll second McCormack. Used a DNA-500 on Legacy Whispers and then briefly on VSA VR-7se's. Lots of power, great musicality for solid state.