2. amps-preamps
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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
lukaske
307 posts
 
I’m not a favorite of Class D: to clinical, are detailfull, but i miss that “whaw”-feelings. Not so holographic, miss the spatial atmosphere.
The best American amp.is Jeff Rowland :nothing sounds better.
European: Ear!! (The best natural sound !!) Hegel , Audio Note, Leema ,Gato , GamuT ,Electrocompagniet , Nagra.
Asian: Luxman and Esoteric.
fleschler
2,003 posts
 
My favorite ARC equipment was the SP10 preamp and the Classic 60 amps (the latter I owned).  They are sweet sounding, colored for today's sound but soooo musical sounding.  Then came the sterile sounding equipment for about 20 years.  I still prefer the Classic 60s to the current 75 se amp.  I've moved on in 2005 to more refined and resolving tube amps with twice the power and lower heat.

erik_squires OP
16,039 posts
 
Hey Flseshler :
Then came the sterile sounding equipment for about 20 years.


Interesting indeed!! I thought when I heard ARC for the first time that the sterile sound was what they always had. I did not realize it had already changed.

The pendulum does seem to have swung back a little.
fleschler
2,003 posts
 
I compared multiple pre-amps at a store set up with identical equipment.  The SP-10 (unknown which of the 7 versions) was the biggest (wide and deep soundstage), most detailed and large sounding.  The SP-8 was about 60-70% of that sound.  The top of the line (unknown model) Conrad Johnson preamp was mushy sounding, very warm and not detailed, typical of it's type in the 1980s.  Several other lesser pre-amps were not in ARs league but sounded clearer than the CJ.  The SP-10 reminded me of the top Fisher pre-amp, I think it was the CX-2 400.  I shouldn't have sold it.

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