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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
jhorowitz128
37 posts
 
Peter Perreaux...original designer of the 1970's-80's amps and preamps. I had an Acoustat TNT that was powering my Acoustat 2+2's.The TNT was stolen (don't ask!), so I went to my dealer to replace it. He demo-ed a CD with loud transients and the TNT clipped his 2+2's at a moderately high listening level. He then hooked up a Perreaux PMF1850 to the Acoustats, played the CD louder and the amp sailed right through it. I bought it and used it on my 2+2's for over 15 years.
rlawry
414 posts
 
Dale Pitcher, formerly of Essence and now of Intuitive Design. The first time I heard Essence SS amps I immediately sold all my tube and other SS amps and quit looking for the holy grail of audio. His carbon nanotube cables were recently reviewed here on Audiogon, and his speakers have won several Best in Show awards.
jaybo
4,478 posts
 
david belles has rarely made anything less than incrdible ...the ocm line was his brainchild and are outstanding as well.......saul marantz was king of everything
theduke
372 posts
 
Let's not forget Jon Bedini. Here is a designer of fabulous sounding amplifiers that eschewed half inch thick faceplates and other costly audio jewelry features and concentrated on honest sonics. To my knowledge, every Bedini power amp was/is great. State of the art performance at realistic prices.
imin2u
392 posts
 
Jaybo's right. For price and performance David Belles is untouchable. His earliest products are sensational and he only got better.
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