Upgrading to a powerful HP amp, unsure about my power gear.

It's definitely a beautiful, powerful and very unique amp, that will handle literally anything you throw at it. Especially if you go through the trouble and expense of upgrading the tubes and feed it a high end source, you will not be disappointed, the sound is insane;y good. However, I decided to sell it eventually, for two reasons. First, it's a massive and very hot running amp. I have my gear close to my listening station and that was an issue when using it for prolonged periods. Second, while probably the most beautifully designed amp I've ever owned, it's not the most user friendly. For example, you have to turn it on in two stages, with a recommended 2 min waiting period between them for the tubes to warm up etc. 

So in the end I sold it and got a Riviera AIC10. Same level sonic quality, but in a more user friendly and cool running package. 

Hope this helps!!

@txenakis Thank you that helps a lot. I was also considering the aic10 or the mass kobo 465. Would you say the aic10 has a natural flat sound or a bit colored? And have you had a chance to hear the mass kobo?

thanks

The AIC10 is a tiny bit colored but not any more so than the Egoista (ie in a good, subtle way). Plus you only have one tube to change and you can shape the sound any way you choose.

As for the 465 I've never heard it as they're so rare. But I've heard great things from people who own it, it's basically at the same level as the Riviera and the Viva. At that insanely high level it's more a question of preference than any of them being better.

One thing the AIC10 has the Mass Kobo doesn't is that it can drive certain loudspeakers on top of HPs. As a matter of fact I use it just like that, with Susvaras and Spatial Audio X3s, and it sounds equally brilliant with both. So convenient...

You’ve been a great help, thank you?

No problem!