Well, some Rowlands perhaps.
From tubes to SS amp : Ayre, Belles, Pass or else ?
I’m a vintage kind of listener and my sound could be defined as UK sound, with a clear preference for musicality and refinement over hyper detail or oomph (having lived with Rogers LS3/5a’s for over 30 years should tell you sth).
Having recently moved from ProAc response 3 to Audio Physic Virgo 2 (vintage, told you) I find myself at crossroads with my tube amplification.
Currently using an Audible Illusions M3A pre on ARC VT60 amp (50watts of 4x6550) it sounds beautiful and much to my liking although very different. But I’ve grown the habit of switching from tube to SS amplification to be tube savvy as I can be in and out of my room and don’t fancy leaving the ARC on just to warm up the room (32x19”). As an alternative amp for everyday casual listening I use a couple of Meridian blocks (auto switch on is a blessing) I find musical enough but with the arrival of the unforgiving Virgo2 they clearly show their limit, add to that I’m 80% vinyl and recently added a phasemation MC cart the meridian really sound their age.
As I don’t want to leave the 6550 on at all times I’m on hunt for an SS amp up to the 2000€ mark (but less is more) that would deliver the musicality I’m after and not having to worry about retuning every 6 months. Music wise I’m eclectic from Radiohead to Chet Baker or Beethoven sonatas.
On my radar in my price and geographic range (I’m in Europe) I have identified (but not heard) as possible candidates the Ayre V-5xe and the Belles SA-100, I have also been advised to look at Threshold or other Pass designs even a cheap Adcom GFA555 mk1. I know full class A could deliver but I’m reluctant for the heat and power consumption it implies. So your input is welcome, what would you look for ?
Having recently moved from ProAc response 3 to Audio Physic Virgo 2 (vintage, told you) I find myself at crossroads with my tube amplification.
Currently using an Audible Illusions M3A pre on ARC VT60 amp (50watts of 4x6550) it sounds beautiful and much to my liking although very different. But I’ve grown the habit of switching from tube to SS amplification to be tube savvy as I can be in and out of my room and don’t fancy leaving the ARC on just to warm up the room (32x19”). As an alternative amp for everyday casual listening I use a couple of Meridian blocks (auto switch on is a blessing) I find musical enough but with the arrival of the unforgiving Virgo2 they clearly show their limit, add to that I’m 80% vinyl and recently added a phasemation MC cart the meridian really sound their age.
As I don’t want to leave the 6550 on at all times I’m on hunt for an SS amp up to the 2000€ mark (but less is more) that would deliver the musicality I’m after and not having to worry about retuning every 6 months. Music wise I’m eclectic from Radiohead to Chet Baker or Beethoven sonatas.
On my radar in my price and geographic range (I’m in Europe) I have identified (but not heard) as possible candidates the Ayre V-5xe and the Belles SA-100, I have also been advised to look at Threshold or other Pass designs even a cheap Adcom GFA555 mk1. I know full class A could deliver but I’m reluctant for the heat and power consumption it implies. So your input is welcome, what would you look for ?
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- 26 posts total
Happy Belles user here. https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis9cb79-belles-350-a-reference-stereo-amp-solid-state |
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digepix As the US Distributor of YBA, I wanted to add info that helps to understand why YBA is sometimes described as "tube-like". Yves-Bernard André patented his "Class-A alpha" design that offers distinct features, as he describes: 1. The Power Supply remains in full "Class A" operation using an Ultra Linear UI-Core transformer of YBA design. 2. The output stage delivers only the power required by the music signal. 3. "Therefore, you have the sonic quality of Class A operation - linear output with current on demand - without the negatives." 4. "Therefore, our amplifiers run cool, which improves reliability and avoids thermal stress on the components and the resultant parasitic vibrations." So with YBA offering sound purity of "normal" Class A solid state amplifiers, one can easily infer YBA amps have a tube-like sound quality...but with the control and extension of the best solid state designs. Hope that helps.... PS: personally I still have my original Rogers LS3/5A in use in my office system but will sometimes move them to the reference YBA "Passion" system and drive them with the A650 (200w/ch) amplifier with extraordinary results. Those BBC engineers certainly knew what they were doing! |
I offer my reviews on Belles, Pass, First Watt and Gold Note amps at dagogo.com for interested parties. Among these four the most tube-like, imo, are the Belles and Gold Note. The Gold Note PA-1175 Amp is unique in that it has a Damping Factor feature allowing switching between DF of 25 (like tube amp) and 250 (like Solid State amp). It's surprisingly effective at mimicking a tube amp, and retains the power structure of a SS. It opened my eyes to the influence of damping factor and its pervasive influence upon a speaker's sound. DF is considered by many to be a more benign aspect of amp design, but the PA-175 shows that is mistaken. I built beautiful systems with all of them and recommend them all as fine brands. |
- 26 posts total