Slam possible with Tubes instead of SS ??

Rleff, yes I did consider those as well as the Wolcott P400's. I could not afford both the A1's and those big tube amps right now. I decided to try a used Sunfire Signature for $1500 and I was and continue to be amazed.

I doubt any SS amp could make these SL's sing any better to be frank. I see one for sale for $1750 now. Mine, like the one for sale, is the original one that is 19 inches wide and weights more than the 2nd version. I modified it to accept an IEC. I also sent it into Rita's Repair Service (authorized Sunfire repair shop) to have it checked out. It did need new power supply caps and some other things. It cost me $375 plus shipping to do this, but I am good to go for years now.

All of these Sunfire Signature amps should go to Rita's as they do have to be updated with newer parts based on comments from Rita's Repair. Consider this in the purchase price. They were made in 1998 or so and the power supply caps seem to have a fixed life. Rita's puts larger caps in so as to avoid any future issues. They also double check to rail voltages to be sure the amp is in spec assuring great imaging etc...

Trust me when I say this amp is magic on our SL speakers. Not at all typical SS sounding. It is very rich and full bodied with wonderful stage size and what seems to be limitless power delivery. Bass is scary good and the music is simply beautiful. My seller paid for 1/2 the repair bill so in the end the amp cost me about $1500.

Bob Carver made a great one here and for the money it is perfect on my A1's.

I just read the thread posted by Tvad about the noise problems associated with Plinius amps. Yes, they are a bit noisier than a lot of amps, but in my situation, the noise level is far enough below the threshold of hearing it at normal listening volume (and up), it's a non-issue for me. I do use a passive line stage, as suggested in the thread, this may help in lowering the noise floor.

The performance of this amp is so good, I don't mind a bit of extra noise, which I don't hear at all when playing music. The two trannies do hum, though, even when the amp is in mute mode. Though not perfect, the way they make music sound far outweighs their deficiencies, at least for me.

Regards,
Dan

The performance of this amp is so good, I don't mind a bit of extra noise, which I don't hear at all when playing music.
Islandmandan (System | Reviews | Threads | Answers | This Thread)

I want to comment on this only to raise a point. My intent is not at all to be argumentative. I have no dog in this hunt.

In the various iterations of my system, including variations that included amps that I considered to be absolutely dead silent, I have heard so many improvements when items have been added that reduced the system's noise floor (and understand this was when there was no perceptible noise to begin with), that I think we sometimes fool ourselves with the notion that if we can't hear noise when music is playing then the noise level must be acceptable.

These improvements are often evident in the common experiences of larger image, or deeper image, or the manifestation of the system *playing louder* at the same volume control setting on a preamp.

If improvements with noise floor reduction a dead-nuts-silent system can be so evident, then a noisy component isn't that benign or desirable, IMO.

I am very tolerant of many different flavors of system sound, but I have very low tolerance for noise of any kind.

If I put my ear up to the speaker and hear anything other than silence when the system is on even if only at higher than normal volumes and nothing is playing, I consider it a potential problem, even if practically it is not apparent during normal listening.

I agree with Tvad that noise can and often does have a negative effect on overall sonic performance when present even if virtually impossible to hear flat out.

Interesting points on noise. While I tend to agree with Tvad and Mapman as noise through my speakers drives me crazy....

What about all the noises in one's listening room that are certainly louder then some hiss trough speakers or mechanical transformer hum. Things like...

- home noises like a heater, blower, refrigerator,noise from another room, person in the house in another room etc..

- my own breathing, pages turning etc...

- outside wind, rain etc...

- many recordings have some background hiss and still sound great

- goodness what about all the record surface noise and clicks and pops of dust and dirt

Well you get my point. A little speaker noise is certainly no worse and often times far better then life noise in and around our music rooms?

Now, if we are talking about lack of distortion, silence and space between instruments and those other nuances that great gear does so well, then yes I am in 100% agreement.

Right now I am trying to silence some panel noise in my SoundLab speakers. No, I can't hear it when the music is playing, but it bothers me still. I sat down and told myself the things I mentioned above and said "Grannyring just enjoy". Is that panel noise really getting in the way of the music or rather is it my quest for perfection? In this case perfection means silencing every single little noise.

Could be a good topic for further comments...