As a semi normal consumer (paranormal?) I can’t carefully listen to boatloads of amps but the two amps I rotate in my gear heap are a 12 or so watt per side Dennis Had tube "SEP," and a Pass XA-25 that actually sound somewhat similar. The Pass amp may not be powerful enough for your tastes but they make plenty of Class A amps that are. Try Uncle Ralph’s (Atmasphere) Class D amps and see if you agree with his utterly unbiased opinion.
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Thanks all. A few more things @soix ask about I should have included. For budget I'l like to keep <$5K, $6K would be tops. Main reason for new would be trial audition period. Buying used but new enough not to need parts replacement can save $ but I don't want go through reselling if I'm not satisfied. And my line stage has RCA outputs so prefer not to need adaptors for balanced amp inputs. I'll repeat, I have reasons for a stereo amp so no mono blocs considered. Also I don't expect SS to sound just like tubes, but I'd like a bit of sonic warmth and fullness. I expected some suggestions for Class D but I've never heard one and no local auditions available. So that would definitely need to be new with return option. Janszen recommends the 100-250 power range at 8 ohms. I've found less than that reduces dynamics and aliveness. |
This Van Alstine amp is worth a look, and they offer a 30-day trial period. Best of luck. https://avahifi.com/products/dva-set-500-stereo-power-amplifier |
Agree with mm1tt77 by enlarge. Pass, Coda. situation at Krell seems unclear right now for service, etc. Would add Ayre to the list to consider. i have a Pass XA-25 and very happy with it. Would consider to add a tube phono but definitely not replace it with a tube amp as it provides similar sound but without some of the negative aspects. good luck in your search |
