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The most emotional amp out there?

OK gang, I need your votes for the amp you feel that brings the chills, the goosebumps, yes maybe even a teardrop or two when you sit down and listen to your particular music of choice. Although many responders will automatically think of tubes, I do not necessarily share that "prejudice". I'm trying to find that special amp to mate with my Virgo IIs that really takes me to the heart of the music...as opposed to just performing the requisite audiophile tricks (e.g. imaging, soundstage depth, etc.). I'm tired of appreciating the specific virtues of a well known amplifier that I am auditioning but never really being transported to a place where I forget about the gear and simply am enthralled with the music.

Don't get me wrong - I enjoy the audiophile thing as much as the next person. But I am searching for the amplifier that will transcend the need to go through the checklist of listening attributes a reviewer does and instead will simply allow me to sit back and just be enveloped by the message that the particular recording artist I am listening to is trying to communicate.

I hope I'm being somewhat inteligible here and thanks for your suggestions.

Gregg
reneaugroup309c
flg2001's avatar
flg2001
543 posts
 
I have had two that transmitted true emotions (once still a keeper) The Gryphon Anthileon and Conrad Johnson Premier 8.

Inave heard great emotional impact as well in some showrooms from FM acoustics and Thor.

Fernando
bmotorcycle
68 posts
 
I have been using SET amps for better part of 5 years. Even before the SET amp was in vogue. But the one thing I was missing was the dynamics that real music has. Even a soft piano passage has dynamics. The speaker I am using are pretty efficient and they have a fairly flat impedance curve but they did not have dynamics. A friend sold me a 1959 fisher integrated that uses EL84 output tubes. I just thought it would be fun to play with, WOW. I kept telling myself this just isn't right, fast, great sound stage front to back, side to side, great placement, and great DYNAMICS. A few mods later, and it is even better. Now my curiosity was heightened, I bought a pair of Manley EL84 based Mahi amps (Mahi, Mahi). I got to tell you, if your speakers aren't power hungry these little amps will certainly change ones opinion that SET's are the end all in amplification. This little tube has the speed of SET's and the b___'s of a P/P tube amp. Just my humble opinion
f1a
199 posts
 
Interesting.... Tom Evans Linear As uses four EL84s per side, and a few reputable individuals claim it's the best amp currently out there, and high on the "emotional factor".
evita
112 posts
 
Interesting.... Tom Evans Linear As uses four EL84s per side, and a few reputable individuals claim it's the best amp currently out there, and high on the "emotional factor".
I was so excited to hear this amp after reading the "crushes all SET amps" reviews. What a shocker, as it sounded thin and glassy to me, as well as to my friend, who was selling it after two months. His Audiopax Stereo 88's were much richer/fuller/emotional sounding.

The most emotional amp I ever heard was the Audion Silver Night MKII. Downright weepy.
boy_lah
11 posts
 
My first impression was exactly the same. If you're an SET fan, what you love is that palpability/mid band magic that SET does so well. Unfortunately the LA is SET only by name and sounds nothing like a SET. In fact, having owned a range of amps, I would say it sounds most like a chip amp - 47labs, Audiozone, Pateks - Fast/immediate, dynamic and direct but a far far superior version. The thin/glassy comment is true especially compared with typical SETs and even more so using stock Ei valves. But with the right upstream components + cabling (it's VERY picky/transparent) and a change of expectation of what music communication is all about, then the Linear A is an exceptional amp. Just don't expect to hear a SET. The LA's immediacy and bandwidth will blow u away. I have fallen in since...
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