Class A or Class D solid-state amplifiers (modern designs)

Every time, and I mean every time, I put my Musical Fidelity A1-2008 Class A SS amp back in the system (replacing either a QUAD 909 or Transcendent Sound T8-LN OTL tube amp) I listen for about 10 minutes and then say "holy crap!" I forgot how incredible this sounds!

Pretty amazing when a solid state amp can equal or even in some areas even best t a high end OTL Tube amp.

I just spent several months comparing the AGD Audion mono blocks to my Coda #16 amp and have made my choice. The AGD’s are very, very good. I think they sound spectacular but my Coda has something that I prefer. There is a deep dynamic snap that the Coda produces that I love. It is the best SS amp I’ve ever heard. There is a considerable price difference here and the 110 lbs of the Coda means I’m not moving it by myself.

My dealer says he’s bringing the AGD Gran Vivace over for a listen so we will see how it stacks up to the Coda. Price wise it’s more apples to apples.

You owe it to yourself to listen to a Sugden A21, pure class A solid state. 

In the last 5 years I have owned quite a few class D amps, the EVS 1200 being the best of them, but when I tried the LSA Voyager 350, I was shocked and remain very happy 1.5 years later

@lancelock

My dealer says he’s bringing the AGD Gran Vivace over for a listen so we will see how it stacks up to the Coda. Price wise it’s more apples to apples.

Did you ever do the comparison of the Gran Vivace to the CODA #16? I also own the #16 and a PeachTree GAN1 (modded). The modded GAN1 is almost as good as the #16 but a real PIA to use because it is more than an amp.

I am looking to get a GAN amp and the Gran Vivace is something that I am considering. Main reason for the GAN decision is because the Peachtree GAN1 sounds really good, and I need something with a very small form factor and some power behind it.

The CODA #16 will stay in my office system. I need an amp for my Livingroom system.