2. amps-preamps
  3. 194078-91508

Anyone else constantly curious about amps?

I'll start of by saying I have a really great sounding amp, the Mastersound Dueventi. It's a class-A tube amp running in PSET putting out 20 watts of power, which proves to be plenty in my room. I have other audio upgrades that would be more valuable. I've slowly been replacing cables, a new streamer would probably have the biggest impact in my system next, I'd like a new turntable now that I've stepped up  my cartridge and phonostage... 

But I just keep coming back to amps. For some reason I just feel a need to bring in something new. I can't afford it. It won't be the most high impact in my system. I don't really have anywhere to demo several of these options. But still, I've been on a two week long rabbit hole exploring solid state class A options like Pass and Sugden. I heard a top in system this past weekend with Jeff Rowland driving the system and I forgot how great those can sound, so I'm finding myself looking at their integrated. I know Norma amps sound amazing with my speakers, so I'm always tempted to bump that up the priority list. 

Someone talk me off the ledge and help me with this sickness! 

displayname
amtprod's avatar
amtprod
127 posts
 

@hilde45 great info on some of your amps, especially the LTA. Been very curious about their pieces! 
Can you speak a bit more about these amps specifically?
I've been super curious about the Hypex and the Benchmark specifically; I already own and my 'reference' amp is a fully upgraded dual mono Adcom-GFA555 amp.
It's not a bombastic slamming amp, but it seems a lot more detailed and precise than it had been.  Compared to my integrated Rega ElexR, which does present as 'powerful/bombastic', I am curious about more efficient amps and their presentation. (Sound stage is mostly lost on my set-up: it's very un-ideal asymmetrical with a huge cabinet in the middle of the speakers).

Solid State:

  • Adcom 535L
  • Benchmark AHB2
  • Hypex-based Class D amp built around Burson OP amp.
teammccalla
4 posts
 

@stringreen 

Ayre is sublime.  The KX-R is insane….

 

Ayre VX-5 Twenty

Ayre KX-R Preamp

Vandersteen Quatro 


I’d like a DAC, but my Benchmark DAC3 B is solid…

displayname's avatar
displayname OP
159 posts
 

@whipsaw  thank you for the input! I have been curious about LTA and I got to hear a few of their pieces at SWAF. I wish they had some dealer network, but they do have a quality trial period. 
At the end of the day I think I’m starting to advertise that the best way to go is likely going to be buying used from places like TMR or buying direct with return options. Not the easiest way, and not the way I’d prefer to do business, but it might just be the way it goes now.

whipsaw
771 posts
 

@displayname 

Bear in mind that a dealer network would necessitate much higher prices! So buying direct from LTA certainly has advantages.

Having said that, I have purchased a high percentage of my components used over the years, so I wouldn't discourage you from taking that route. I would, however, check to make certain that the warranty of whatever you are considering is transferable!

hilde45's avatar
hilde45
5,261 posts
 

If you want to leave tubes, I think you have to go higher than any Rowland, Pass or Sugden. 

Wow, not at all my experience. Pass, First Watt, sound pretty marvelous and different than tubes.

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