Power Amplifier - Maximum Resolution & Detail!

Immathewj, I feel they are heavy!  I have the 805B with an upgraded auto-bias option which I’ve not been able to find any info about anywhere.  

To the best of my recollection, as I’ve not had them in my system for a while, they offer a very robust and full sound.  Smooth without any higher frequency etchiness or glare, soundstages well and is the kind of amp that draws you in for relaxed, extended listening.  Some will argue that their 50 watts isn’t enough for many speakers but in my experience they drove everything I threw at them, to include the Maggie 1,7i’s in both of my small listening rooms (12x16 and 13x14).

The only drawbacks to me are that they are a bit cumbersome and heavy and will generate enough heat to warm my room a bit.  Other than those two things, and the cost of replacement tubes, I think they are fantastic amps.

I’m an Audio Research fan. To me they have the very best imaging and detail.  I’m also impressed with the Burmister solid state units. Since you have no budget next year my advice ia buy a set of Audio Research 330m monoblocks.  

With that budget you have a lot of options! I don’t have experience with any class D options listed above, I have owned top models from Luxman, ML, Pass Labs, Krell and Accuphase. All were very good as I lean towards Class A with SS amplifiers. I know ARC reference gear has went to KT120, KT150 output tubes in their current models but I preferred the 6550 tubes in the older REF110 I use to use with my Quad ESL57’s(modded). I did experience the same feeling with the Benchmark Amps on a friend’s system where he ended up selling and finding a tube amplifier he preferred better. I ended up going to full tube system, 93db horn speakers with Miyajima OTL Mono’s, Triode Labs/Finale 300b Monday RSR mono’s, FIrst Watt amplifiers and never looked back.

Another vote for Boulder !

Comes down to design. In simple terms, if the component has any filtering of the AC then you in general will get more details and a blacker background - think AC filter chokes. They power supply caps can make things sound like mush or can have speed and clarity. Same goes for resistors. Mills, Amtrans, Audio Note non-magnetic, etc. That is why upgrades can alter and change the sound tailored to your liking. No to mention the ability of the transformer to offer top to bottom impact on the sound of a system.

@bigkidz Theorycrafting vs successful execution... (there’s always a bigger gap than one might think).

Maximum resolution and detail should NOT impair musicality. When it does, IME, it is because resolution and detail are confused with distortion.

IMO, to maximize resolution and detail without increasing distortion requires components of the highest quality. Naturally, manufacturers don’t want to spend big bucks on 50 resistors at $10 each, and air gap capacitors at $100, so they only use these at the most critical points of the topology, if at all. So if you want that quality, be prepared to spend big big bucks or build it yourself.

DIY forever!

@terry9 , You make a good point...I tinker with cheaper kits off aliexpress, etc, but, hesitant to try and go to town on some expensive piece... (Warranty goes out the window quickly, etc). It is always hard to meet the level of controls in place they have in some factories (some fab process ironed out) vs a guy tinkering in his garage.