Take a serious look at the Boulder 866. I had been a tube guy for over 40 years but the Boulder 866 is really good
Help me understand the current amp market
I've been doing some research in regards to amplifiers in hopes of purchasing one some time in the near future. However, it's difficult to navigate all the different models and what makes them exactly special. For starters, which amplifier manufacturers are actually coming up with innovative technologies and which ones are more "assemblers" of slightly modified parts? Pilium, for example, is getting a lot of buzz, but the CEO is an ex gym owner that's an audio enthusiast and not an electrical engineer. So what makes them stand out? Also, I'm seeing companies like Solution and Jeff Rowland using switched mode power supplies. Are these truly better than the traditional toroidal transformers? I understand that you need to listen to them to truly understand each amplifier's significance. However, since it's almost impossible to listen to all of them in the same environment, I'd like to narrow my selection by which ones technological sound good first. Any help would be appreciated.
- ...
- 48 posts total
you're getting recommendations from Benchmark, Pass Labs, & SET amps...wildly different sounds...you would need to define better. Benchmark is a technical winner for example...but you may find the sound lean or not organic compared to higher distortion amps that subjectively sound great...like Pass Labs |
That's a pretty broad and tough question. Here's just one man's opinion: Because every human ear is different- the bones in them that vibrate, the size of the chamber, the thickness of skin and bones around the ear- etc. etc. your listening experience will be different than the next guys even in the same room with the same gear. That being said - for me anyway, I like established brands that have decades of R&D, proven history of high quality, and committed engineers and staff as my starting point. ARC, Bryston, Luxman, Manley, Pass and the like have a hard won lineage vs. "the latest thing". Fine audio is not like women's fashion. It must endure for a very long time and perform flawlessly and in a pleasing way. Brick and mortar stores are almost gone. So you should join an audio club- listen to enthusiasts rigs and decide what makes you happy. As questions, and have fun with the search. The better retailers will ship you a unit on approval. If you don't like it send it back. |
@josephp732 You might consider a used Diablo 300. Still a great amp. |
I’d say there is fair amount of "free riders" - make fancy box, put few Asian parts inside and I give you 100% - someone will hear improvement to their sample music. C’mon, there are amps with huge distortions built on 50 years old tech but people like them. I have seen pictures of inside of a phono stage by a VERY well known and praised manufacturer. Literally 3x3 inch board in 40" wide case. Costs several kilobucks. For an empty box. Compare to Pass Labs XP - full of parts. So yes, look who is in charge. Pass, BAT, Denafrips are run by engineers. They literally make gear THEY listen to. Watch out for former big names now owned by a cost-cutting corporate drones putting $5 switching power supplies into $$$$ gear. |
- 48 posts total