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Amps I Like

Hi Everyone,
At the suggestion of an A'goner who suggested I list out things I like, as opposed to things I don't, I'm going to do that here.

Some caveats apply: This is my personal taste. The buyer should use their own tastes to determine what is good or not.

Also, I've not listened to gear long enough, or as much as I'd like. This list is not only short, but I'm going to put ++ symbols next to an amp to note how much time I've actually had to listen to them.

Sadly for me, I am not a professional reviewer, and I feel very guilty asking dealers to let me listen to gear I have no intention of buying. Please take this as one personal list of experiences, not my attempt to rate equipment for all time.

Best,
Erik
erik_squires
erik_squires OP
16,039 posts
 
Hi Select!
I do indeed like class D.I haven’t heard that many different kits. Just old ICEpower and Hypex nCore.

But notice, I listed the ICEpower 250ASP (now 10 years old or more) as B .... the equal of a number of linear amps I’ve been able to listen to, and the better of some mega-buck amps which I'm not listing to stay positive. :)

There are probably even better Class D out there. I just haven’t heard them.


Best,
E
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atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,778 posts
 
Ayre amps provide a lush dark backdrop which I've heard in no other amplifier. I don't mean they are dark sounding (i.e. reduced treble) but that the sound seems to emanate from absolute nothingness and explode without boundaries. An effect I've not heard in any other amplifier.
@erik_squires Just my opinion, but I think this is because the Ayre amps are zero feedback. This would cause them to have more lower ordered harmonic distortion content and less higher ordered content- which can sound very much like what you describe. IMO one of the more brilliant designs out there.
erik_squires OP
16,039 posts
 
Hey @atmasphere

That would make sense, but I've heard other amps which make the same claim, at equal or greater prices and for whatever reason I do not like them.

Maybe I should spend a couple of years listening to a variety of Class A/Zero feedback designs.

Best,
Erik

gdnrbob
4,444 posts
 
Wow, a lot happened since my last post.
@erik_squires ,
Thanks for the great description of the two amps.
I agree, Ayre has a certain 'something', and I believe Ralph is correct in naming the Zero Feedback circuitry as being implicit for that sound quality. 
It seems I must have a thing for Zero Feedback as I own both the Ayre MX-R's and MA-1's. I never thought I was going to take things this far, but all the great advice from fellow Audiogoners brought me to my current state.
I am waiting for Ralph to introduce his Class D amp. Given his past accomplishments, I can see this future product will give the other Class D manufacturers a real shock.
Bob
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