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Good SS Designers and their lesser known designs

Hi all

I am interested in learning more about very good amps and think one way this is done by looking at amp's designed by great designers first and then amp's that they designed but not under their own names.

1. Nelson Pass. Anything by Pass Labs. Question is what amp's by Threshold and which ones by Forte, as also which ones for Nakamichi and which ones for Adcom. Did he also do the HK Citation series.

Also, know the Nakamichi PA designs were inferior to the T'hold designs, how do the Adcom amps compare.

2. McCormack. Know he does the McCormack series and also modded a few other amps, Mac Mod 405 for eg. Any others.?

3. Jim Strickland. Did the Acoustat TNT amp's, believe also some Hafler TNT designs (not sure which ones), any others.?

4. Sanders of Inndersound/Coda. Which Coda lines and any others?

5. Other Designs/designers. Assume Muse belongs on this list as well as CJ MF series.

Shriram
shriramosu
imhififan's avatar
imhififan
652 posts
 
Hervé Delétraz
A great designer!
kosst_amojan
2,095 posts
 
@hgeifman 

What a sales pitch! 

I think it's pretty bold to say that class D is displacing class A amps though, which they really aren't. They're starting to put a dent in mid-range class AB and that's about it. I don't think the folks at Boulder, Pass, and D'Agostina are losing sleep or faith in class A. 

Beyond all that, are there more complicated amplifier designs on the whole planet? And who exactly has called a class D amp "the best"? The highest compliment that's ever been paid to a class D amp is that it sounds as good as a class AB amp. Digging into class D amps is hardly a lesson in legendary amplifiers. 
shadorne's avatar
shadorne
7,333 posts
 
Tim Isaacs is a respected name in the U.K. with regard to amplifier designs in the 70's and 80's. He designed a MOSFET output stage amp that played like Class A at lower power but slid into AB Mode at highest power - best of both worlds - high power when needed but low distortion and low heat output...
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