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From tubes to SS amp : Ayre, Belles, Pass or else ?

I’m a vintage kind of listener and my sound could be defined as UK sound, with a clear preference for musicality and refinement over hyper detail or oomph (having lived with Rogers LS3/5a’s for over 30 years should tell you sth).
Having recently moved from ProAc response 3 to Audio Physic Virgo 2 (vintage, told you) I find myself at crossroads with my tube amplification.

Currently using an Audible Illusions M3A pre on ARC VT60 amp (50watts of 4x6550) it sounds beautiful and much to my liking although very different. But I’ve grown the habit of switching from tube to SS amplification to be tube savvy as I can be in and out of my room and don’t fancy leaving the ARC on just to warm up the room (32x19”). As an alternative amp for everyday casual listening I use a couple of Meridian blocks (auto switch on is a blessing) I find musical enough but with the arrival of the unforgiving Virgo2 they clearly show their limit, add to that I’m 80% vinyl and recently added a phasemation MC cart the meridian really sound their age.

As I don’t want to leave the 6550 on at all times I’m on hunt for an SS amp up to the 2000€ mark (but less is more) that would deliver the musicality I’m after and not having to worry about retuning every 6 months. Music wise I’m eclectic from Radiohead to Chet Baker or Beethoven sonatas.

On my radar in my price and geographic range (I’m in Europe) I have identified (but not heard) as possible candidates the Ayre V-5xe and the Belles SA-100, I have also been advised to look at Threshold or other Pass designs even a cheap Adcom GFA555 mk1. I know full class A could deliver but I’m reluctant for the heat and power consumption it implies. So your input is welcome, what would you look for ?

slabadabada
tmhaudio
121 posts
 
@slabadabada If you stretch your budget a bit, the YBA "Genesis A6" could fit quite nicely for you.

Interestingly you mentioned darTZeel. An owner of YBA "Passion" combo A650/Pre550 also owns darTZeel 18/108. He believed the YBA combo compared *VERY* closely to his MUCH more expensive darTZeels...and surpassed the darTZeels in some areas.

@douglas_schroeder Excellent point on how Damping for amplifiers can change the sound. The YBA "Passion" A650 has 2 sets of speaker outputs - each with different damping factors. The higher damping provides a more neutral sound whereas the lower damping output has a more organic, "tube-like" sound.
slabadabada OP
5 posts
 
Thanks @tmhaudio that YBA looks interesting and I know a dealer not too far I'll lend it an ear …
@ Ayre users I've told it is much better in balanced mode which I unfortunately don't have, has anyone compared inputs ?
jafant's avatar
jafant
19,578 posts
 
slabadabada

Another +vote for Ayre and backed with excellent customer service after the sell.  Happy Listening!
cedargrover
302 posts
 
Well, the Ayre V5xe is fully balanced (my understanding is that each channel is really two amplifiers working on each phase of the balanced signal, which are combined at the output), so a single ended input will be converted to balanced pretty much immediately.  Doubt that using a single ended input will make a huge impact on the sound.
dpac996's avatar
dpac996
693 posts
 
Luxman 507ux.
I came from a Primaluna Dialogue HP Premium integrated, most recently. I share your concerns about tubes.
I have owned Pass x250.5 , x2.5, x1, x10. Several ARC pieces, Spendor S8e, tons of Dynaudio latest. Very good cabling all around. My ears love a nice musical sound with detail, life, body, power, and emotion coming through the electronics.  The Luxman amp is incredibly compatible with these goals. 
My source is a Meitner MA1 v2 dac, and my speakers are Dynaudio contour 30. Wireworld cables for everything. After 25+ years in the hunt,  this is it for me. I found my absolute sound. I can only hope you try a Luxman. I suspect, after reading your excellent summary of experience and goals, this is the puzzle piece you are after.

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