Excellent Solid State or Hybrid Monoblocks Recommendations


I am interested in staying under 15k for a pair of high performing monoblocks, sold state or hybrid, to acquire. 

My current system is an Aric Audio Motherlode preamp, a Space-Tech super tube rectifier, Teac NT-505 modded dac, outboard clock, Aerial Acoustic 7T modded speakers, ENIGMAcoustics Sopranino supertweeters, Grover Huffman Pharoah biwire speaker cables, Zavfino Silver Dart interconnects, Melco 6TB server, Melco CD transport, Waversa Reference USB filter between the cd transport and server, Waversa Reference LAN filter, Synergistic Research active grounding block, and Synergistic Research Ethernet Switch UEF.

My modded JC1 monoblocks sound heavenly.  However, I am having issues with no sound coming out of 1 channel.  My modded PassLab X250.5 amps sound really good but lack the top end sparkle, air and litheness of the Parasounds JC1s.   I am gonna fire back up my Canary CA-160 modded tube monoblocks but am not wild about the tube maintenance requirements.

 

So, I seek another pair of monoblocks that excel in clarity, balance across the frequency spectrum but also present upper registers with delicacy, spaciousness, and nice instrument separation.  I am looking at Audio Van Alstine 750 wpc monoblocks and the Thrax black monoblocks up for sale here on Audiogon.  Other suggestions? 

Thanks in advance.

128x128Ag insider logo xs@2xjaymark

many thanks.  I was going to pick up a pair of used PS Audio BHK 300 monoblocks used then got cold feet when the seller did not know how old they were and the serial numbers were non-sequential.  So I ordered a brand new pair from P SAudio and traded in one of my amps in my collection.   Glad to know I should be OK with 15a lines.

@jaymark Any time and congratulations!  Bascom King's designs are so well-regarded that you can't go wrong, especially since these ended up on many "best of" lists.

You may also enjoy the tube rolling threads on PS Audio's forums:  PS Audio - BHK 250 / 300 Tube Rolling Thread

Something really nice about the BHK amps is that they accept the 6922 variants without any special configuration.  Bascom replied on one of the PS Audio threads and recommended the Tungsram PCC88, but it's a very laid-back tube.  I went on a tube binge and have tried ~15-20 different sets, so let me know if you'd like any tube suggestions.  I also had a positive improvement from Acme's silver ceramic fuses, which were ~$130 per amp for the set of 6.

 

Hope to hear your impressions after you're able to set your new monoblocks up!

@atmasphere thanks for the above explanation!  Great talking with u recently as well.  I am still interested in your class d amps as I rotate amps thru 4 two channel systems at two homes.

@pynkfloydd I have been recommended the Siemens NOS 7308 tubes.  Will set me back 1200 bills for 4.  Also tungsram ecc88s.  Any recs based on your listening would be appreciated....

I second Pathos hybrid InPol design. My Heritage MKii is integrated and is my endgame.  Rock solid bass and air mids and highs. I’d assume their hybrid separates are of equal quality.  Worth a listen. Especially sublime with my Tannoy Kensingtons. Also enjoyed my BHK300’s a few years back with the BHK pre.  I only let them go as I needed to downsize boxes and so went integrated.  Good luck.  Many good products out there.