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Which Solid State Amplifier is Making you Happy?

I'm trying to find a new amplifier to replace a Musical Fidelity A3CR. There are lots of candidates: Rowland 501s, Pass Labs 350.5, Levinson 431/432, H2O, etc. What are people using and what has been a good sonic investment? I'm currently driving B&W N803s, so it's a pretty normal load. My MF amp does not offer enough punch or bass control. It flattens out at higher volumes. I'll spend what it takes, new or used. Less than $8K would be nice. All comments welcome.
Peter
pscialli
egay's avatar
egay
18 posts
 
i am a Musical Fidelity fan, but since the 'original' oblong NUVISTA series went out of the market, my taste went wth it.

these are the SS amps that made me really happy (latest to oldest):

- Krell FPB 200c - current and probably my main stay
- Musical Fidelity XA-200 with a Nuvista or XP-100 Preamp
- Threshold Stasis
- Forte Model Fity-five
- MF Typhoon

I will have no difficulty getting these amps again if they are still or made available.

.e.
mitch2
4,114 posts
 
Whatever you consider them, I agree with Nolitan, the Lamm hybrids are the end of the line for me. The M1.1 is what I can afford for now, but the 1.2 is on the horizon. Pretty close to everything I could hope for.
oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
4,020 posts
 
McCormack DNA 125
tonywinsc
583 posts
 
I have the Pass Labs X350. I nearly pass out in ecstasy every time I listen. Seriously, it is very good and gets even better the longer it is on- ie. several days as the temperature and bias current stabilizes. It runs warm- makes for a great heater in the winter.
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