2. amps-preamps
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Can we create a consensus list of the TONALITY of different amps/preamps/brands?

Greetings to any and all,

I am shopping for a new amp and preamp, but stuck abroad so unable to purchase anything right now. I have thus been reading lots and lots of reviews.
One thing that is very important to many of us is finding the right balance of Tonalities (warm versus cool, musical versus analytical, smooth versus detailed, etcetera).

Somewhere in all that research, I came upon a reviewer who started a comparative list of different brands, trying to get a handle of the general Tonality of various audio brands or individual products.  Since then I have been adding to that list, sometimes extrapolating from the adjectives used (e.g. clean, neutral, etched, sweet, etc.).

One thing I should admit right off the bat is that I have personally listened to very few of these products. (I am just the collector of comparative adjectives, just a compiler. In no way do I consider this present list to be definitive or perfectly correct.) Of course, all this is completely subjective.

So I wonder if there is a way we can created a consensus compilation of opinions of the general tonality of various audio products. I am obviously soliciting input and opinions. Please feel free to disagree or suggest changes or refinements. The model I started with was of a clock face: 12:00 midnight being perfectly neutral. Anything after 12:00 is more analytical or clinical; anything before 12:00 is smoother or warmer.
(Thanks for any responses or contributions.)

 

Here is that list:

Halcro: 1:30 (hyperdetailed solid-state)

Simaudio amplifiers: 1:00 (even more clinical, analytical)

Audio Research Ref10 pre: slightly less cool than Simaudio 850p; maybe 12:30

Esoteric integrated: 12:30 (slightly to the cold, clinical side)

Boulder 1160/1161/2060 amps: 12:00 dead neutral (adding or subtracting nothing, no added tonal saturation, "sterile")

Rotel Michi M8: 11:45 ("kiss of midband lush")

Simaudio pre: 11:45 ("closest sounding amp to the Luxman")

Luxman 900 series: 11:30 (very slightly warmish)

Plinius SA-103: 11:30 ("natural, neutral tonal balance")

Pass X150.5: 11:15

Accuphase: 11:00 (warmer than Luxman)

Pass X250.8: 11:00

Pass x 260.8: 10:45

Pass XA 60.8/200.8: 10:30 (warm or saturated side)

Pass XS Pre: 10:30

VAC i170 tube amp: 9:30 (warmish)

PrimaLuna EVO 400 tube amp: 9:00 (warmer still)

hoodjem
rolee910's avatar
rolee910
6 posts
 

Do Michi M8 and Boulder 1160 play in the same league? Regardless of their tonality, is one a little more neutral, the other a little more lush, they have the same sound quality, or is the michi M8 weaker?

kerrybh
109 posts
 

I have heard both of those amps in the same system. Michi delivers a lot for the money. I think some people who have never heard a Michi amp will "knowingly" relegate Michi to a lower status because it is a Rotel product. I'm always amazed at how much some folks know about a product without any actual experience.

I have auditioned Michi against  McIntosh and Classe products and much preferred the Michi-obviously a personal preference. The Michi could power a small city, is built like a tank and seems to be well engineered. I find it to be a bit warmer than the Boulder but nowhere near the McIntosh sound. I think its a bargain and a very good performer even if you don't consider price.

As much as I like the Michi, I don't think it is quite in the same league as the Boulder, which I think is an elite brand. The Boulder amp is about as close to dead neutral as you will find-it neither adds nor subtracts. Some might call this analytical, not sure I would. Very clean sound and a superb product. If you are looking to add warmth, not for you. If you are looking for neutral Boulder is an excellent choice and its "entry level" range gives you much of what you get from the superb but incredibly expensive higher ranges.

Just my thoughts, everyone hears differently.

mofojo
2,243 posts
 

It’s completely speaker dependent especially if it’s tube amps. 

rlb61
756 posts
 

I don’t think that there will ever be a consensus, BUT I’ll play just for sh*ts and giggles. I use a BAT preamp (tube) and power amp (solid state). As to the clock face example, I’d say that they are at about 11:30 (somewhat warmish, but not overly so).

rodman99999
6,039 posts
 

As many have stated, there are way too many variables.

                                               +1

                   ...everyone hears differently.

                                                +1

                             (subjectively AND aurally)

                      BUT: Have fun and happy listening!

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