"Warm Sounding" Solid State Amplifiers

Years ago, I picked up a mint Dyna 120 stereo amp at a garage sale really cheap, like for a couple of bucks. I sent it in to Frank Van Alstine for him to install his circuits. The amp that was returned was a real killer of a solid state amp. I found that if I left it on constantly, it sounded pretty amazing. It was paired with a modified Dyna Pas-3 preamp. I listen to a lot of small jazz groups ... and the bass lines had that warm realism.

Here in Southern California, there used to be a DJ on one of the local FM stations that used to have a "Bedini" night. He'd bring his Bedini 25/25 into the studio, along with his TT and other Bedini gear. That was some of the best FM I've ever heard. Maybe a used Bedini amp would cut it for you ... if you can find one.

I also used a pair of Atmosphere M60's for a couple of years on loan from a friend. Can't say they sounded "warm," but on certain nights when the power coming into the house was clean, like late at night with the lights off, those amps sounded REAL. It was like the entire back wall fell down and the stage went back forever.

On the issue of "warmth" in itself ... When I go to a live concert, I do as Ralph suggests and close my eyes and imagine that I'm listening to my home system. So far, no matter how good my system gets, or how much money I spend on it, I have yet to hear my system, or ANY system for that matter, come close to actual live music.

I've heard really expensive systems costing in excess of 300K, but they still sound like reproduced music compared with live. Oh, they may do a great job, but it still ain't live.

What I hear with live music is sound that is really relaxed. It may get loud, but even when it does, there is no "cringe" factor. I think most audiophiles would be put off with this kind of "relaxation" in their home systems.

For that matter, most of the live music we hear is actually amplified music pumped through the venue's sound system. A lot of those are terrible to boot.

Try sitting down in front of a good unamplified string quartet, or a solo classical guitar, or a front row seat right in front of the string section of a full classical orchestra sometime. Its like a breath of fresh air.

I definitely think great tube gear gets us closer to the ideal of "live" more than SS gear, but even so ... it still isn't live.

Just my two cents ...

Another thumbs up for Bedini amps having a very tube-like sonic signature, but in my case, it is my Bedini 25/25. I have not had the pleasure of hearing a Bedini BA-801.

What I hear with live music is sound that is really relaxed. It may get loud, but even when it does, there is no "cringe" factor. I think most audiophiles would be put off with this kind of "relaxation" in their home systems.

not me anymore!! I've learnt that this is the sound that I want from my system & it will be capable of delivering such a sound when I will find components that will keep the phase distortion down to a minimum. That's the reason I turned to 1st order x-over speakers which, when built correctly, are time-coherent speakers & finding electronics that is as true to the original sound as my budget could afford. Having had such an experience you find me endorsing time-coherent speakers every time I can. I've managed to FINALLY sway a few people on this forum that time-coherent speakers is the way to go after THEY heard time-coherent in THEIR system & agreed with that it was the only way to proceed.
Getting an amplifier that is as uncoloured as possible i.e. within one's budget is the right thing to do because an an accurate system will always be a true system long-term.

Try sitting down in front of a good unamplified string quartet, or a solo classical guitar, or a front row seat right in front of the string section of a full classical orchestra sometime. Its like a breath of fresh air.

AMEN!!
That's because there is no phase distortion from the electronics & esp. the speakers. What you are hearing are the fundamental tones + their harmonics directly from the various instruments with no electronics to muck that up. Such a delivery of sonics is *always* welcome & will *always* sound right not matter what the person's age.

I've owned several Bedinis. 25/25, 150MKII, 250/250, 100/100. They're all good amps, not great amps. The thing that's lacking in them is speed. The fastest one is the smallest one, the 25/25. But still too slow imo. I don't get the hyperbole about it. It's not hard to find an amp capable of driving low impedance. Now having said that, I still have the 100/100 which needs work. It has a sound stage that is holographic.

On the Canuckaudiomart there is a deal on for a Musical Fidelity A308 for $1300 CDN. I've been in contact with the seller but I feel like I'd be making too much of an impulse purchase. The few reviews I've found suggest that it is (as its brand name suggests) quite musical.

Can anyone add to or comment on that? Seems like a decent price but I know it's also an older unit and I don't know what the service is like with MF. I have heard many positive things in general about Musical Fidelity.