MSB makes some superb power amps as well as their DACs they're most well-known for. I've got an S-200 I bought a demo of about 10 or so years ago; that model is superb in most everything, but is long discontinued, but they've got more current models if you've got the budget....
Power Amplifier - Maximum Resolution & Detail!
I am assuming some of you have experienced the following.... All else being the same in the chain, you replaced a power amplifier and started hearing more resolution and detail, perhaps a lil more in a track that you have heard a thousand times.
Ime, the higher you go up in price doesn't necessarily guarantee that you could experience the above mentioned. It seems to come down to the nitty gritty of the circuits under consideration, i.e., the black art of power delivery and analog circuit design.
What is a power amp you may have experimented with that provided the maximum detail and resolution at any price? (Not just perceived changes in tonal balance, etc).
I am hoping to shortlist a power amp based on some suggestions here for a future purchase.
P.S. If you are an ASR type of guy who thinks all power amps sound the same, this may not the right thread for you, I suppose...
- ...
- 88 posts total
@laoman Thanks for the suggestion, I hear some good things about this Mola Mola's main engineer. This might be worth an audit.... I may have to look at more oddball less heard of names, i think....Maybe MSB, "Bakoon", Hegel H30, etc...as well. I've had the more common big names on loan, or atleast a older model at some point... Gryphon, Boulder, AR, etc and they haven't produced that extra detail than my current amps, it's about in the same ballpark. Worst case...I could wait for some rich guy to sell me a Aavik P-880 for 30k. I could probably talk him into thinking that some other 200k miracle amp is what he needs and the Aavik is beneath him! |
The poster doesn't say what his speakers are or the room dimensions. I have Yamaha NS 5000's in a great room type space with a 13 foot listening distance. Using 500 watt B&O Ice Modules in Red Dragon mono block chassis. Details and cool running power the 600 watt rated Yamahas run very well on. Engineers measure a device's efficiency in an inverse relationship to heat it produces. The more heat the less efficient. It has new relevance in the age of climate change and HVAC systems failing. Hence I recommend nicer Class D. |
Mola Mola’s original engineer was Bruno P. Who is no longer with Mola Mola. He started Purifi a few years ago and they make the amp and speaker parts for others. Not sure about the new guys designing at Mola Mola. @deep_333 You should have a listen to the new SimAudio North Collection amps. These amps have a similar level of detail as the AHB2 but does not have any edge to it. I mentioned this before on this thread. I heard the 761 amp, and I agree with what the reviewers have been saying about it. The price range is $100k+ | $24k | $15k. I heard the $USD 15k one and that should be powerful enough for my Yamaha NS5000. A local dealer carries both and I may have a listen this Friday.
|
+1 @yyzsantabarbara for the CODA S5.5 amp The S5.5 at $6K new is one of the rarely true hifi bargains, just as good in most ways and better in some than my Gryphon Diablo 300. It is a high current design in Class A but doesn't run particular hot. There is a LONG thread here on Audiogon about it with rave comments from owners. Your $30K budget may convince you to look elsewhere but that would be a mistake. The only amp I have heard in my system as good is the Simaudio 860 V2, BUT at $20K it is not exactly a steal (used would be the way to go but they don'tcome up for sale often). The newest version is even more money but apparently there is a buzz growing about it, haven't heard it myself but likely it would be worth an audition.
|
- 88 posts total