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Ayre V5X, Sim Moon W5 vs. BC-28.

I have pretty much made my mind to buy a BC-28 next time one comes up on the 'Gon. This based on archives and reviews and I know I can always resell if I am not satisfied. You know, buy and try in your own system. The problem is, this amp has not shown up in some time now on the used market here and in the mean time I have been considering these other fine SS amps.
So, if you have experience with the Sim or the Ayre (or the BC 28 for that matter) will you please share it with me?
Especially if you can compare them to the BC.
My music tastes run mostly to female vocalists in blues jazz and pop/rock veins. I also like to rock to Allman brothers and such at times.
My system is: GMA Europas, Theta Jade and Birdland odeon AG run straight into power section of Nad C370 with Audio Magic cableing.
Thanks, Scott
abbeydog
abbeydog OP
70 posts
 
Loudand-
Thanks for the recap. Good info on tube rolling there. Also I blew two tweeters here with the C370,both in the right speaker. This with 120 watts Nad. I thought it was too little power (clipping) that blows tweeters. First I've heard of too much power being the culprit there. I switched cables and digital front end and no problems since.
Thanks, Scott.
russellrcncom
311 posts
 
I know nothing of theBlue Circle unit. However both the Ayre and the Sim were on my short list (along with the Pass X350, Rowland Model 10, and Plinius SA 250Iv). I ended up with the Ayre (which replaced an older Threshold unit). The Ayre definitely seems to have a lower noise floor than the threshold.

However if I had to do it over again there is one mfr I would add to the list: BEL.
durbin
9 posts
 
Distortion of any kind (clipping, bad source/recording) will cause a voice coil to move in an uneven pattern, which builds up heat, and causes damage. Too much power can also force the coil to move past it's intended range which builds up heat as well. But my guess is the amp wasn't entirely at fault. Moving to a digital source was a good way to cut down distortion, but ultimatly I think the GMA's first order crossover offers very little protection to the coils. Just be careful playing poor quality recordings and keep an eye on the volume and you should be fine regardless of the amp.
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