2. amps-preamps
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30 Amplifiers Totaling $428,740.00 In Search of Audio Nirvana

Yes it’s true! I have both owned and auditioned 30 of the top selling amplifiers Totaling $428,740.00 in search of that secret sauce called Audio Nirvana. All though there is no one size fits all, they all have their own special touch of magic for someone at a price point and sound signature that will be a fit for your musical listening taste. With that being said, this long list of amplifiers ranging from $2500.00 MSRP to $85,000.00 is what I experience through trial and error while running the gamut of Class A-AB-D and Tube Amplifiers from a variety of the top Amplifier Make and Models listed below.


Anthem Integrated 225

Adcom 575SE 

Audio Research 160S

Bell Canto 600M 

Block Audio

Bryston 7BSST2 

Divalet Expert Pro 220 

Gryphon Diablo 

Krell Evolution  

Hegel H30 

Luxman M900U 

Merril Eliment 118 

McIntosh 452 

McIntosh 601 

Octave Audio V110  

Musical Fidelity Titan 

Parasound A21 

Parasound JC1 

Pass Lads X250.5 

Pass Labs X350.5 

Pass Labs XA160.8 

Pass labs XS300 

Plinius SA-250 

PS Audio BHK 300 Signature 

Primaluna Premium HP 

Primaluna Prologue 

Sim Audio W7 


I actually couldn't believe it myself until I looked at my spreadsheet 5.5 years later and said WTF have I done? All that said I can truly say it has been one fun ride! 

The purpose and goal for posting this long list is of amplifiers was to share my thoughts and experiences with you from a unbiased point of view with Absolutely No Quid Pro Quo :)


Cheers




 

128x128blumartini
blumartini's avatar
blumartini OP
224 posts
 
Looking at picking up a Plinius SA103 as I hear that they are a contender to my list of amp
collection. I had the SA250 Mk2 in my system and it was truly a great class A and A/B piece that can be toggled when you want to go from 1 to the other. The SA250 MK2 was very musical and holographic with great bass but suffered a tad in detail in the upper mids and highs. Of course that was maybe due to having it connected to my Sonus Faber Olympica Lilly's at the time more known for there silk dome tweeter or me maybe not playing enough with cables etc.

My setup today his will include Focal Sopra #2's with a titanium tweeter and bigger more detailed midrange.

Please keep me posted if you have any comments regarding this amp as I don't have a near by dealer where I can audition one. 

Cheers 
ishkabibil
422 posts
 
Here is a nice amp...

For sale in Texas..$200.00

B&k ST140 Stereo power amplifier.
Excellent cosmetic condition and Excellent sound quality.
105 watts per channel.
Natural, smooth, reliable and Tube like sound without the hassels or the expense, and there's a nice weight to bottom end as a bonus.
It has driven, with astonishing musicality, Magnepan,Boston, Vienna, Quad 57 and 63, and Martin Logan loudspeakers. Smooooth baby smooooth. Yes I've owned more expensive amps but have always returned to the ST140. This is a VERY natural sounding amp, if there is such a thing. It just sounds right, never harsh or etched, not bloated or muddy, just sounds right.

The B&K ST-140 is the amplifier of choice for the perfectionist on a tightish budget. It's a veritable triumph of design, and perhaps the most cost-effective amplifier I know of.—J. Gordon Holt
ishkabibil
422 posts
 
Re amp....

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649573628-bampk-st140-stereo-power-amplifier/?utm_campaign=saved...
blumartini's avatar
blumartini OP
224 posts
 
@ishkabibil

Interesting, I look into it.
blumartini's avatar
blumartini OP
224 posts
 
@oddio @tparr8

If you auditioned 30 amps on various systems or speakers then you didn't audition anything.
 
Just seems like a manic post. I glanced at it, but it's too much to even begin the effort of trying to make sense of or to place his post in any meaningful context.  


The purpose of the post was to engage with others who may have had questions and or exchange experiences. Again take a reading lesson, I have owned over a 3rd of the amps listed and have had unlimited access to the others on the list shared by a small but choice group of audiophiles friends who actually enjoy the hobby and thought it would be helpful to others. We for the most enjoy what we do and share our evaluation experiences and our quite happy to answer unbiased questions as it relates to them.

Cheers
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