2. amps-preamps
  3. 125784-371

Beyond Ayre Pass and Rowland

What would it be? Transistor or Hybrid. This is a general discussion.
I heard that Gryphon and Ypsilon qualify but I didn't audition either. Lamm hybrid does too, I believe.
inna
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
6,996 posts
 
Hello Larryi,
I have not had the opportunity to hear the Berning 211/845 amplifier.  I suspect that it is quite good sounding. I'm biased towards low-moderate  power tube amplifiers but I have heard very fine sounding higher powered SS amplifiers in certain systems.  The big distinction I hear is that usually  good quality tube amplifiers are superior in the realm of tone and  tactile presence which is important to me. Having said that,  my friend's 600 watt Krell driving Rockport Altair speakers does provide exceptional performer presence. 
Charles, 
larryi
1,972 posts
 

Charles1dad,

I am like you, mostly in the low-powered camp.  I own three tube amps, the most powerful being the Audio Note Kageki, which is rated at 6.5 watts per channel.  My current favorite is a 5 watt pushpull amp that runs the 349 tube.  If I had the need for more power, the first place I would be looking is at OTL amps (or quasi OTL amps, like the Berning); I find their liveliness quite compelling.

I too have heard very nice setups with the kind of electronics I usually don't like, so I agree that matching is more important than particular choices and types.  I have heard nice setups using Momentum amps, for example, and a system with Spectral gear that, while not precisely my taste, I could at least understand the appeal (there are lots of expensive systems I heard where I had no clue as to what anyone liked about them).

greginnh
320 posts
 
Oranfoster, I can relate.  I have been enjoying my Accuphase E-470 for several months now.  It was actually used by my dealer to power the new Paradigm speakers just released last month.  The regional Paradigm rep was floored with how well the Accuphase performed.

I'm off the merry-go- round when it comes to amps.
oranfoster's avatar
oranfoster
72 posts
 
greginnh,
    I just installed both modules, the DAC and the AD-30 phono module. My usual DAC is a Modwright Oppo105D, it's been fun to compare the two. Both are phenomenal, but different. It's a little redundant, but now listening to streaming from the SONOS is more straightforward for my wife (no need to turn on the Modwright power supply, AND the T.V. to navigate to the right inout) . Any way, the AD-30 is crazy good. I've been struggling to find a phono stage that I'm really happy with and have tried several. The Accuphase AD-30 is supremely quiet, lively, detailed. Now my stereo is both better than ever and simpler too. 

larryi
1,972 posts
 
Since we are discussing what might be among the very best amps, has anyone heard the Engstrom Lars tube amp?  That beast is WAY too big and EXPENSIVE for me to ever consider, but, I do wonder how it sounds.  I have never seen it myself.  Personally, I like at least the idea of all out assaults on making a great 20 watt amp.
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