Help Levinson 27.5, 331 or Plinius SA100?

I've had Vandy 2Ci's, 3's, and now 3 Signatures in my system over the last 12 years and the only component that hasn't changed in all this time is my Levinson #27. I like my #27 for that very thing -- I think it does a great job of seperating the individual instruments on the stage. I just recently upgraded my preamp to a Sonic Frontiers Line 3 (also making the switch from SS to tubes). This opened up the soundstage even more and provides just enough of that tube "sweetness" so the music is not dry and analytical, while the #27 still gives me the great tight powerful bass. As a matter-of-fact, I like this combination so well, I just bought a second #27 to bi-amp with.

I have tried the ML 331 in may high resloution system w Muse CDP and Muse pre and Audío Artistry Dvorak speakers. The ML was OK but not nearly as good as the Rowland model 2. The Rowland has a more realistic warm alost tubelike sound without losing out in details and soundstage and dynamics. The Rowland is used about 2500USD and makes a fantastic match w Muse 3 pre.

I sold my 27.5, which was an excellent amp, and bought a 334. The 334 is a much better amp, bass, mids, highs and soundstage is outstanding. I would agree 100% with LEV335, the 334 is a great amp that will keep you engaged for a long time.

We have had a pair of Vandie 2Ce Sigs in on trade and plugged them into our system for a few weeks. We enjoyed their presentation in our high end system as well as in the front channels of our home theater system.

Although we have not heard the 27.5, 331, 334, or 335 from ML, but we have had the opportunity to audition the ML No.33. These are very nice monoblock amplifiers. However, with the Von Schweikert VR-10s, they seemed to have been missing some musical depth and imaging, although their sure power was awesome (the fuses worked well also).

We have had received a very enjoyable music experience with the 2Ce Sigs connected to our reliable little gem that is built like a tank, the Clayton Audio S40 pure class A solid state stereo amplifier. The musical qualities were superb. Imaging, soundstaging, depth, clear vocals, smooth extended highs, tuneful and extended bass -a lively presentation that will get your feet a tappin'. The only thing that we feel could improve the sound with this lower efficiency speaker system is more power. The S40 ) only put out 80 wpc into 4 Ohms (the latest model s40 has 50 wpc into 8 Ohms, which ours only has 40 wpc into 8 Ohms). Good enough for a small room, but if you have a medium or large room, and play music at more than just moderate levels, more power is recommended.

The S40 and M100 have been reviewed in Sound Stage.

The Clayton M100 monos (100 wpc, pure class A) will close the gap on power requirements, and still offer the same musical signature as the S40. And the Clayton S2000 (250 wpc, pure class A, fully balanced stereo design) puts you even closer to a musical utopia.

We cannot comment on the Plinius, because we have not had the opportunity to audition this brand yet.

Happy upgrading!

i have owned Krell 300S, Krell 300 FPB amf a ML 335...all
seemed to lack that certain something...they are to mechanical, too detailed and too anylytical. i had a hard time getting into the music...I since have "stepped down"
ha ha to a McCormack DNA-2 DLX...these amps are the best kept secret in audio...my B&W 802N's came alive...great pace
and dynamics... less detail (very less actually) but the
emotion of the music was suddenlt THERE. You have to hear it to know what im talking about..im confident you will not be dissappointed