Old Amp vs. New Amp

jond - Yes, I am interested in tube amps, but for some reason (not really sure why) I tend to lean towards Solid State.  I would certainly like to try tubes at some time.  I own a few guitar amps, and I wouldn't even consider a solid state guitar amp.

There are SOOOOO many amps out there, it's really difficult to decide which one is best.  I guess I just gotta take the plunge and hope for the best.

So... I did just that.  I just purchased a Mark Levinson No 333.  I sure hope it turns out to be all that I hope it is.  I guess I'll see.

Thanks for the great discussion!

Hello petrela
The Mark Levinson 3 series are great amps for the money now. I have owned several and still use one today. Just plan to make sure its been full re capped  with in 2-3 years from the time you purchase it. Or plan on getting it done your self at a certified Mark Levension repair shop. Well worth the money after its done.   The sound will not let you down.
Enjoy Pete

" I had never heard of Classdaudio.  I just looked at their website.

Certainly something to consider."

     petrela,

      The good news is that classDaudio is only one of many companies offering very good class D amps.  My initial very good experience with a class D amp impressed me so much that I did a lot of internet research about the history of class D amps, from the 1st proposal in 1958 and the 1st commercially available amp in 1964 to the best current examples of class D using power modules from companies like Hypex and Anaview/Abletec. 

       But this fascination with class D only inspired me to want to try some of the latest examples in my own system. Fortunately, my limited budget also limited my subsequent class D amp purchases to the more reasonably priced versions.  

       My 2nd class D amp was an Emerald Physics EP-102 stereo amp (bought on sale for $600) and my last amp purchase was a pair of D-Sonic M3-600-M mono-blocks (just under $2,000/pr.).  

     All 3 of my class D amps share some similar sonic qualities: very good bass control and response, very low noise floors, powerful dynamics,exceptionally neutral, high levels of detail, solid and stable sound staging and smooth mid-range and treble response that never seems too bright. 

     From reports  from numerous class D amp owners using a wide variety of good class D amp brands and models on this and other audio forums,  they typically mention the same  sonic qualities that I mentioned above.  However, I still try to resist claiming all good class D amps sound the same because I've only personally listened to a small sample of them.

     If you'd like to explore some other good class D amps, I'd suggest a google search of 'class D home audio amps'.

      Tim

I have owned Pass amps for the past 15 years...I have found each new generation to be significantly better than the previous...

add Odyssey to the list of manufacturers who upgrade both their newer and older units...even new they make excellent value amps...