@tjassoc
ok so i know you wanted me to add a comparison of a few amps. Now keep in mind, these amps were used with different speakers and in different systems (they were not compared at the same time with the same exact components):
Block Audio SE: Incredible muscularity. I found this particular amplifier line doing some research and everything i dug up was actually very true. It had tremendous control over my Neoliths along with liquidity (class A of course). The construction is impressive, it does not run as hot as pass labs or even the Dag m400s. I can’t really find a single negative thing to say about this particular amplifier. It is not a well known brand here in U.S. but rest assured it will blow your mind. I am hearing from the person i sold them to that this amp blew away his Rowland 925s, arc 160m and other amps i can’t remember right now. He can’t seem to let go of them because they just continue to impress.
Pass Labs XS300: What can i say about this amp that i haven’t already said? The walls come down, speakers disappear, huge soundstage, bass control, mids are beautiful. One knock is that this amp NEEDS quality power cords. Yes, the difference between using stock pcs and nordost 1 was staggering EVEN THOUGH it has external power supplies. i called pass labs and gave them that feedback as well. I had 3 people come over to listen to them and do this power cord swap and the change in sound was DRASTIC. Another knock is the heat... yes the run hot, but that is because they are always biased at full throttle. Lastly, they take time to sound best... You can’t judge these beasts right away. You need at least 24 hours of play time before they really hit their sweet spot.
Dan D Agostino M400s: Gorgeous looking amps with such a sex appeal that remains unmatched in my book. They sound extremely inviting, smooth, a little more relaxed than the xs300s and yes they do run hot, but not XS300 hot. Amazing feathery-silky smooth highs. I believe this amp needs to be carefully matched with speakers. Personally, i would not match it with electrostatics, but that is me. One knock? the finish is difficult to keep shiny and clean. I have also received reports from owners that the finish does begin to fade over time so if you get these amps please pay extreme care to the finish and keep it as clean as possible.
Constellation amps: i had the constellation Centaur 2 and now own the Taurus mono blocks. This amp was easily one of the very best amps i have ever heard my Neoliths. It has tons of air, big sound, musicality and lots of resolution. I have always said this and i will repeat myself again: THIS AMP IS THE LUXMAN ON STEROIDS. It really reminds me A LOT of the luxman, but with bigger, bolder sound. As far as knocks, i would say that the "vanilla" looks might not appeal to some of you. However, i have had people here that totally love how they look because they don’t call attention to themselves. Cable matching is crucial and i would say wireworld platinum cables or audiomica consequence cables really make it shine. I am not totally sold on Nordost odin 1 and constellation as far as synergy.
Amplifier XXX: This amp is here now. I am quite impressed by its large presentation, liquidity and visceral bottom end control. More to come on this amp :)
In short, there is no universal law that will always pay you dividends when it comes to amplifiers. That, my friends, is something you all need to remember when swapping power amplifiers.
Yes that preamp, cables or speakers you have right now MIGHT NOT be a match for your next amp purchase, but there is no way to find out unless you bring it home (tell me about it :). Remember, 9 times out of 10 you will have to probably also change something else when you introduce a new component in the mix. Don’t be afraid to try and figure out what else you can do to improve on that amplifier purchase and be a little more flexible with cabling as well. I know some of you are die hard nordost fans, cards fans, ( i have spoken to some of you) and let me just say that you should be open to experimentation with other cable lines. i am now doing this more than ever and my findings continue to impress me.
With that said, my top tier group of amps in no particular order are: (yes all solid state :) )
Pass xs300
Block Audio
Dag M400s
ok so i know you wanted me to add a comparison of a few amps. Now keep in mind, these amps were used with different speakers and in different systems (they were not compared at the same time with the same exact components):
Block Audio SE: Incredible muscularity. I found this particular amplifier line doing some research and everything i dug up was actually very true. It had tremendous control over my Neoliths along with liquidity (class A of course). The construction is impressive, it does not run as hot as pass labs or even the Dag m400s. I can’t really find a single negative thing to say about this particular amplifier. It is not a well known brand here in U.S. but rest assured it will blow your mind. I am hearing from the person i sold them to that this amp blew away his Rowland 925s, arc 160m and other amps i can’t remember right now. He can’t seem to let go of them because they just continue to impress.
Pass Labs XS300: What can i say about this amp that i haven’t already said? The walls come down, speakers disappear, huge soundstage, bass control, mids are beautiful. One knock is that this amp NEEDS quality power cords. Yes, the difference between using stock pcs and nordost 1 was staggering EVEN THOUGH it has external power supplies. i called pass labs and gave them that feedback as well. I had 3 people come over to listen to them and do this power cord swap and the change in sound was DRASTIC. Another knock is the heat... yes the run hot, but that is because they are always biased at full throttle. Lastly, they take time to sound best... You can’t judge these beasts right away. You need at least 24 hours of play time before they really hit their sweet spot.
Dan D Agostino M400s: Gorgeous looking amps with such a sex appeal that remains unmatched in my book. They sound extremely inviting, smooth, a little more relaxed than the xs300s and yes they do run hot, but not XS300 hot. Amazing feathery-silky smooth highs. I believe this amp needs to be carefully matched with speakers. Personally, i would not match it with electrostatics, but that is me. One knock? the finish is difficult to keep shiny and clean. I have also received reports from owners that the finish does begin to fade over time so if you get these amps please pay extreme care to the finish and keep it as clean as possible.
Constellation amps: i had the constellation Centaur 2 and now own the Taurus mono blocks. This amp was easily one of the very best amps i have ever heard my Neoliths. It has tons of air, big sound, musicality and lots of resolution. I have always said this and i will repeat myself again: THIS AMP IS THE LUXMAN ON STEROIDS. It really reminds me A LOT of the luxman, but with bigger, bolder sound. As far as knocks, i would say that the "vanilla" looks might not appeal to some of you. However, i have had people here that totally love how they look because they don’t call attention to themselves. Cable matching is crucial and i would say wireworld platinum cables or audiomica consequence cables really make it shine. I am not totally sold on Nordost odin 1 and constellation as far as synergy.
Amplifier XXX: This amp is here now. I am quite impressed by its large presentation, liquidity and visceral bottom end control. More to come on this amp :)
In short, there is no universal law that will always pay you dividends when it comes to amplifiers. That, my friends, is something you all need to remember when swapping power amplifiers.
Yes that preamp, cables or speakers you have right now MIGHT NOT be a match for your next amp purchase, but there is no way to find out unless you bring it home (tell me about it :). Remember, 9 times out of 10 you will have to probably also change something else when you introduce a new component in the mix. Don’t be afraid to try and figure out what else you can do to improve on that amplifier purchase and be a little more flexible with cabling as well. I know some of you are die hard nordost fans, cards fans, ( i have spoken to some of you) and let me just say that you should be open to experimentation with other cable lines. i am now doing this more than ever and my findings continue to impress me.
With that said, my top tier group of amps in no particular order are: (yes all solid state :) )
Pass xs300
Block Audio
Dag M400s