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Current production "budget" warm/dark SS amp?

Are there any class A/B solid state amps that are currently in production (or only recently went out of production) that are known for having a warm/dark sound that can be bought used for under about $1500? I used to own a B&K 4420, which I liked quite a bit for its warm/dark sound signature before it died on me. That amp retailed for around $1,100 new but went out of production over a decade ago, I think. The other amp I am thinking of is the Audio Research 100.2, which also went out of production years ago and was known for its "musicality". Are there recent- or current-production solid state amps that are similar to those amps but are NOT Class D, don't cost a fortune, and are not 90+ lb. behemoths?
mcondon
tvad
9,467 posts
 
All of the amps I mentioned have an input impedance of 100k Ohms, and will match well with the Calypso preamp's 1k Ohm output impedance. They will all drive your Sehring 703s speakers without any problem.

The Belles 150A Reference is current. The 350A Reference, although apparently out of production, can be serviced by Dave Belles.

The McCormack amps are older models. However, if you can pick up a DNA-1 (or DNA-2) modified by SMc Audio (Steve McCormack), it can be worked on be Steve if it ever requires servicing. He will not service McCormack amps that have not been upgraded by him. Both of these amps are large and heavy, however.
mechans
2,999 posts
 
I second the Conrad Johnson for a warm SS amp. You might also want to try an older Mac, although people have argued that their SS amps are not all that warm, I think they are but to each his own. In any event you should get the bass balance you seek.
loftarasa
171 posts
 
Primare is known for soft tonality - the I21 budget amp being quite dark, the I30 more neutral and of higher transparency but still with a shared house sound.

Similarly, the Exposure 2010 and 3010 both have a non-fatiguing presentation.
nikturner920
144 posts
 
'Warm' and 'Dark' as used in audio are different to me.

Maybe a Sim Audio moon W- 3 or 5? Maybe one of there new amps?

The treble has detail without being etched and emphasized so could call them a touch dark. I wouldn't call them warm though in terms of lush midrange but you have a tubed pre.

I'm running an Aesthetix Calypso with Sim Audio W-6 monos and the combo is great with fantastic bass.
ryder
946 posts
 
08-19-10: Mcondon
Thanks for the recommendations. My speakers are Sehring 703s (86 dB sensitivity). The preamp is an old Aesthetix Calypso. My current amp is a McIntosh MC275, which I generally like, but it doesn't offer up very convincing bass with my somewhat bass-shy speakers...
The Mcintosh 275MkIV is a powerful amp that shouldn't have any problems driving s speaker with a sensitivity of 86dB. The bass quality is very high when compared to other SS amps like the Plinius SA-100Mk3 that I've owned. I am not familiar with your speakers, and there could be a possibility the perceived shy bass is due to the speakers rather than the amp. Food for thought.

By the way, the Plinius amps are dark sounding and quite similar in presentation to the Mac but lose out in finesse and bass depth. I have compared the MC275MkIV and Plinius SA-100Mk3 in my system side by side with an ARC LS16 line stage.
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