Soulution 710 Amplifier and 720 Preamplifier

As you no doubt know, wages and part costs in Switzerland are among the highest in the world, then with customs and distributor costs, Swiss-made gear (FM Acoustics, DartZeel etc) is, in my opinion, somewhat over priced in the US.

Wonderful it may be, and I have no argument there - but there is a premium attached.

Regards,

fortunately or unfortunately;the Soulutions are many leagues above the best American made amps.In my listening experience only a select few could claim to be able o challenge the soulutions, and all of them European made;and all from the French h-German-Swiss maufaturers;Countries with the best pedigree in manufacturing ultra high end amps.

1.Swiss-Fm acoustics.Tonally different but amongst the very best.

2.German -Burmester reference series-Depending on your SET up the reference series could bettered the Soulutions especially in all Burmester set up.

Gruench-Hair risingly good amp;very little known,but once heard can't be forgotten

ASR emmiter;superb amp and a true bargain.

3.fRench-the Lavardin monoblocs-fussy about set up but ,once done correctly you would not leave your listening chair.

YBA signiture amp-so musicals,so right you will sob with joy listening.Tears come to your eyes easily with this amps..The differance between the sig and the rest of YBA amps are so great I think this should be the only amp YBA make.

These are based on my own listening experience.They aRe good and expensive not because the labor are expensive;BUT because the designers choose to use and accept only the best.............so I say go for the Soulutions if you like;it will be money well spent,....

Audiobrian, without wanting to subscribe to Fafanion's statement regarding US vs. European products, if you are willing to look at other European amps (ss) as suggested, then Tidal must be on your shortlist (even more so should you listen to vinyl as well as cd).

Given the Dollar's adventurous ride in the last few years, I do not know what these amps cost in the US these days, but Tidal Preos (pre) + Impact (stereo amp) should stay well below the 85k you quote, Preos + Impact Monoblocs will probably be in that range. The absolutely breathtaking Tidal Presencio (pre) + Impact might sadly even top that, but it would be worth finding that out with the US distributor.

Is Tidal better than Soulution, then? At that price point, you alone can decide after extensive auditioning. I will just add that given the choice - and after having heard all of the machines mentioned - my own personal choice would be Tidal, hands down, no hesitation. (Yes, I do know the super-rave Soulution reviews, so even if one surmises, that the conditions in which I heard the Soulution combo were not ideal, I would say people who try to sell us this kind of gear have a duty - no less - to create the best possible environment; there and then it didn't convince me.)

Then again, there is also Boulder, Berning (both of which I have admittedly not heard yet) et.al., so happy hunting!

I'll take Tubes over the best solid state any time.