Powerful Tube Amp for SF Strads?

Lloydelee21,
Another thing, try to avoid mixing and matching (pre-amp/amp) from various brands whenever possible. As I have found from lengthy trial, REF3 to best compliment the REF600mkIII, and so does the FMA to fully come into their own only when mated with their respective pre-amp (and cabling too!).

Somehow by doing this, I found the sound of each to be more rightly balanced (coherent and linear) top to bottom (synergy?). Thus, if you like your current sound, I would rather you look into upgrading from one of CJ's own stable. Unless of course you have a longer term plan of switching the pre as well eventually. Just my two cents.. Good luck.

Hi Bvdiman

I would somewhat agree that using the same brand pre and power does and should have a synergy that makes them sound like tea and biscuits.
the reality is that we are all looking for "our" sense of what we believe is the illusion of music. Some amp manufacturers do not make as good pre amps and visa versa.

If the amp or pre amp is designed correctly it should be able to interface with a large majority of systems and sound great - some more so of course.

I think this is why Krell has a lot more respect for amplifiers than their pre amps and having both maybe too much of a good/bad thing.
I used to own FMA 122 phono stage and it was great, however overall it was somewhat unforgiving and dry sounding. Couple that with a pre and power from FMA I am not sure if it would go too far in that direction - maybe not.

I guess that is why a LOT of audioiphiles couple SS amps with tube pre's, so they can get the so called best of both worlds. I have yet to hear a SS amp that I can personally live with, but that is me.

anyway, it is all good fun

Hi Downunder,
Yeah, I guess that is why there's that classic saying "many ways to Rome"??.. Well everyone's got their own/preffered cup of tea. I've tried lots, and this is where I'm at. And so have you I'm pretty sure. So to me, forums like these are basically just plain good ol' fun and genuine sharing..

Incidentally, I happened to be living in Sydney and started this undying hobby there! Still remembered started my first real system in '82. Bought my CLS from Seeto in Drumoyne, a Krell KSA80 from Len Wallis, and VTL Ultimate (first one imported to the country) from Joe (Audio Connection). Those guys were more/less my mentors, and as you see, they taught me that thing of having the best of both worlds right from the very beginning!! Great guys, hope they're still around? Missed Sydney too..

Re: FMA 122 Phono, 16yrs ago I came to a somewhat similar conclusion to yours with their FM266 pre. It was originally meant to be partnered with my 611 but ended up with some other tube pre at the time. Only to realize yeaaaaars later that it was actually the shortcomings of early premature digital gears that those FMA pre let through 'much more faithfully'. But then again back then, it's nice to have some cushions somewhere to soften my landing ..no ..make it hearing.. =) Cheers!

Bvdiman

Seeto is long gone - about 10 years ago at least. Len Wallis is still going strong - more home theatre I would believe than high end.
Joe is probably the No1 hi end dealer/importer in Australia these days. Joe has got lots of $$$ from me, including the thread mentioned Strad's and my mac amps.

cheers

Hi Downunder,
That's nice to know! I too, until Ieaving Sydney, bought most stuffs from him.. He got me started with some 2nd hand ARCs--SP8, SP10mkII, D115, then the 'new' VTLs--Ultimate pre, 100, 225, 300 amps. Also ML, Energy and MGIIIa speakers, and oh, his Cardas (still) Hexlink cables! Yeaah.. he should remember me being one of his earlier customer, and also one who forever likes to experiment/buy new gears back then.

Joe used to frequent my old home in Longueville and a friend's in Maroubra in his beaten up van, full of newly imported stuffs to do demos regularly. One man show--very vigorous, hard working and helpful, sure deserving his hard earned success today! If you talk to him, please send him my regards--thanks! Do you have his e-mail? Must have been like 20yrs since I've last seen him..