Acoustic Zen Crescendo

Lots of amp/pre-amps within the last 7 years:

Belles 350A/Belles 21A Modded caps/power supplies
Herron M1 Mono Amps/ Herron VTSP-3A Pre (loved it)
Vac 160i
Vitus
LM

Speaker:
Vandersteen 2CE Sig II
Avalon Ascendant
AZ

Wig

Thanks for the comments guys. Sksos, I used the Zeros for the same exact reason which suggests to me you wanted better bass, volume, and dynamics with the M60 rated at 60 watts. That is my current issue with tube amps rated at 60 watts with the Crescendos. I am missing last last bit of refinement and control at higher volumes. This is not to say the sound is not beautiful, as it is, however better control at higher volumes is a nice to have also.

Wig, one final question. How large is your room and at what volume do you listen when off the leash? Thanks again. Remember, my room is very large as mentioned above. When off the leach I measure sound levels at 90 - 92 db weighted slow C range. 

Charles being happy or not is a purely individual subjective determination. Its fine as a personal recommendation to like minded individuals but not reliable to predict what will happen with the next random guy who tries. How many people are "happy" with a particular solution is a much better indicator.

Just saying...

Mapman,
I don't know how I could have made that point any more clear. This whole endeavor is subjective. you listen and either you like it or you want something different in some particular manner . My choice of 8 watt amp is no more or less subjective than your choice of a 500 watt amp. We both have chosen what suits us best to satisfy our respective goals. 


This is why I seriously suggested to Bill he should try a high power SS/class D amplifier. Wig went this route with the Vitus amp but found the LM 508ia with 48 watts to be better sounding. However for Bill it is quite possible the Vitus or your 500 watt Bel Canto could be the better solution for his needs.


I don't believe my taste or ears are better than yours or anyone else, I just know what is the better option for me. So although I can relate to Wig choosing the 48 watt SET amp over the 400 watt solid state amp.  I acknowledge this wouldn't be the choice for others. In no way am I making any proclamation as to what is universally best, hardly.
Charles

Charles I know you're not.    We agree that individual personal tastes vary.