2. speakers
  3. 124813-818

Raidho speaker owners, what solid state amplifier do you use?

There seems to be consensus SS amps in general are better match for Raidho speakers than tube amps. I'm using 200 watt Bob Carver tube monoblock amps with my D2 to great effect, but I'm interested in getting a SS amp (less than 8k new or used).  The Soluution, Constellation, etc are way too overpriced IMO.  Any experiences with less costly offerings?  I am looking into the new Yamaha top of the line integrated, AS3000, which is 7k retail.  It's rated 100 watt at 8 ohm and 150 at 4 ohms and is built like a tank with substantial power supply (over 50 lbs).  This is the way Yamaha used to build their top amps decades ago before they went cheap mass market. 
dracule1
xti16
1,525 posts
 
@chronoglidesky - The Ansuz MainzD8 is quite amazing. I have a Ceramic pc going from the Mainz to my Aavik U300. I just recently upgraded the Ceramic from the wall to the Mainz to the D-TC pc. Quite amazing. Like I mentioned above the Ansuz cables doesn't change the tonality but adds a more holographic sound stage. But I will admit the D-TC opens up the sound a lot more almost like turning up the volume with greater clarity. But it does come with a pretty hefty price. Honestly if you have a chance to listen to the Ansuz products do it. Lars and Mike recommend the best pc you can afford to go from the wall to the MainzD8. I can hear why. Secondary power cords-interconnects and speaker cables will make a difference but not as dramatic. 
chronoglidesky's avatar
chronoglidesky
45 posts
 
Thanks xti16. I'm new to the Raidho family[*] and interested to read any opinions on how to extract the most from these beauties. MainzD8 would be a good step.
I heard the Aavik (at Axpona) and was very impressed indeed, especially when compared to the other "big box" amps that were littered throughout the show (often 4x larger in size). I look forward to seeing other members' comments on this amp, especially how the phono stage fares when compared to, say, a Sutherland or other such fine units.

[*] FYI: My mind was set on Wilson Alexia's - but I changed it after Axpona. The D1s, while smaller, "hit the spot" and it was obvious that the bigger D-series would just deliver - big time.
xti16
1,525 posts
 
My first Raidho's were the D1's driven with an Octave V110 tube integrated with a black box. The Octave sounded great with the right tubes. But before the D1's I had Dyn C1 sigs which had deeper lows. I thought I could blend in my Rel B3 but it didn't work out too well for me. Later I finally upgraded the D1's to D2's. No need for a sub anymore. But if you pushed the volume to the max the tubes ran out of steam especially in the lows. So I got the Aavik that was used at the 2015 Axpona show along with the MainzD8 and 2 ceramic power cords. I'm using the built in Dac and it sounds better than the Naim Dac and XP5SX p/s. I don't use the phono stage because I don't have a pottery wheel. Now I am waiting to hear the D2 vs D2.1 before deciding if I'm going to upgrade. The problem with Axpona this year even though they had D1.1's this year they had a full D-TC cable loom and and I know that affects the sound in a great way. So I can't really say how much better the D1.1 is ever after owning the originals. That D-TC loom 'retails' north of 100K not to mention the isolation discs - cable lifters - rack and Sparkz harmonizers.

Now when I first had the D1's and D2's I had the speakers 7 1/2ft apart toed in pointing to my shoulders. When I got longer speaker cables I was able to get them 9' apart. What a difference. 
chronoglidesky's avatar
chronoglidesky
45 posts
 
Thanks for the comment. It seems to be an interesting "leap" from tubes to Aavik. Would you say the Aavik is comparable to tubes (musicality) but with the response and timing of SS?
Yes, the cabling in Raidho's Axpona room was impressive - I would love to hear the same demos over again, but with lesser cabling.
xti16
1,525 posts
 
Honestly the Octave has everything the Aavik has to offer up to around 85-90db. But for the extremely rare times I listen over 90db the Octave just didn't cut it. Also I was able to eliminate 4 boxes (with cables) and replace it with one. Oh and the heat from the tubes was great in the winter months but made my A/C run a lot harder in the summer.

BTW are you in the Chicago area?
More to discover