Amps I Like


Hi Everyone,
At the suggestion of an A'goner who suggested I list out things I like, as opposed to things I don't, I'm going to do that here.

Some caveats apply: This is my personal taste. The buyer should use their own tastes to determine what is good or not.

Also, I've not listened to gear long enough, or as much as I'd like. This list is not only short, but I'm going to put ++ symbols next to an amp to note how much time I've actually had to listen to them.

Sadly for me, I am not a professional reviewer, and I feel very guilty asking dealers to let me listen to gear I have no intention of buying. Please take this as one personal list of experiences, not my attempt to rate equipment for all time.

Best,
Erik
erik_squires
what you've never heard of pass Labs give them a try I own a pass Labs int-60 integrated amp and to me it's the most wonderful sounding amp that I've ever owned and I have owned at least a dozen different amps including McIntosh but as to class D amps I wouldn't own one if you gave it to me

Lavardin  ISx Reference integrated amp. Beautiful with Wayne Piquet fully rebuilt Quad ESL 57s.


Ayre amps provide a lush dark backdrop which I've heard in no other amplifier. I don't mean they are dark sounding (i.e. reduced treble) but that the sound seems to emanate from absolute nothingness and explode without boundaries. An effect I've not heard in any other amplifier.
That is my experience, also. With a good speaker, there is a boundless sound that is intoxicating.
I also like ARC. I guess I need to hear Atmasphere!
My dear departed ARC D79B along with Cary 805s I loved.

Now using 2 Pass Aleph III with stacked Quad 57s and
Benchmark (bridged) with Harbeth 40.1’s

Been around Hi-Fi since 1956 - Dynaco MkIII mono then.