2. amps-preamps
  3. 167621-162801

Pass 350.5 vs Bryston 14-BSS2 vs Mark Levinson 33(n)

I'm not a proper audiophile, and whatever I buy will probably get less than 500h/year of serious listening, but after three decades as a low-grade apartment-dwelling vagabond, I finally have a home and a budget that allows me to have a "nice" stereo. I'll be pairing the amp with a nice tube preamp (TBD) and some Magnepan 1.7s. The stereo will play in a very big (residential) room with plaster walls and a lot of furniture. I listen to shoegaze and alternative with an occasional foray into Coltrane, while my wife listens to Sarah Vaughn, Dolly Parton, and Creedence. We both listen to Prince (when we have been drinking).

All of the amps in the title seem to please most listeners, and each can be had (with patience) for between four and six thousand dollars. I suppose any of them will be "good enough"-- particularly for me-- and I realize that this all gets highly subjective, but many of you seem to know a lot about these things. 

If you were me, what would you choose? 
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jjss49's avatar
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jjss49
6,612 posts
 
op

based on your description, this one will do just fine, it will sound nice and be trouble free, and is made by an excellent company that stands behind its products

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisab4i7-ps-audio-stellar-s300-solid-state

spend the saved money on something else nice for the new home or wife

congrats on your new abode, and enjoy...
unsound
7,332 posts
 
@p_s  You have already read my mind. If you have a ..."very big (residential) room"... I'd suggest spending a bit less on amplification, and more on bigger speakers. If not 20.7's, perhaps 3 series Maggies.
arcticdeth's avatar
arcticdeth
1,572 posts
 
You will need the power eventually, and the dna-500 would be a very nice choice.
as is the Bristol!


jl35
4,038 posts
 
Pass X350.5 or X250.8...if you go the PS Audio route mentioned above, get the M700 not the S300, you will still save a few thousand, though both quite inferior to the Pass...
stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,444 posts
 
Send a PM to member “Johnto”. He is running a big pass amp (250. Or 350., can’t remember) and preamp, originally with the Magnepan 1.7 and now with the Magnepan 3.? (Their newest 3 series) and really loves the sound.  John has been to my home a few times to hear my systems but I have yet to take him up on going to his home to hear his.  We have similar music tastes. He has been into this for many years and could be a wealth of information. 
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