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Refined SS Stereo pwr amps under 10K?

I looking to upgrade from my ARC DS225. considering an Ayre VX-5, what other SS amps under 10k (list price) would provide me great harmonic detail, drive, strong tonal balance and hear deep into the music layers? Yup,I know I'm asking a lot.

The System: Bel Canto DAC3.5MKII with ref power supply and Ref USbB to Spdif converter,(3 separate chassis) via AudioQuest Diamond USB cable, Wireworld Platinum 7 XLR to ML326s Wireworld Platinum 7 XLR to Audio Research DS225, Audience AU24SE speaker cables to Magnepan 3.7i Wired with Synergistic research and Nordost power cords ran to custom power strip incorporating 3 Furutech GTX-D duplexs and one Defender conditioner to a VooDoo power cord to a wall outlet GTX-D
So where do I go to upgrade from the ARC DS225 amp?
Thanks
5560
5560 OP
48 posts
 
For reasons too lengthy to describe, I cannot do monos, so I'm looking for a stereo amp. I've always read that Spectral amps require proprietary cables, odd input impedance matching such and they don't play well others so to speak.
rlwainwright
1,904 posts
 
You might consider checking out the Emotiva XPR-2 amp. It is very powerful, has gotten great reviews, and comes with a 30 day in-home trial and a 5 year warranty...

http://emotiva.com/products/amplifiers/xpr-2

-RW-
jafant's avatar
jafant
20,167 posts
 
5560-

For solid state- Pass Labs.
Did you consider a ML power amp?
There are so much great gear out there. Bryston comes to mind as well. Keep us posted & Happy Listening!
jofi
24 posts
 
Have you considered the Spread Spectrum Technology Ampzilla 2000 2nd edition.Check out the review at 10 Audio, also rated highly in the pages of The Absolute Sound.I absolutely love my pair and as a bonus they run extremely cool for an amp rated at 300 watts! 8500.00 new but here on AudiogoN there is a dealer who sometimes has demo pairs at a discount.They also make a stereo version.
Jofi
aisip
84 posts
 
Do me a favor and call Mr. Klaus Bunge from Odyssey and get yourself a Symphonic Line amplifier. Your search ends here. These german amps are absolutely the finest SS amps extant; sounding neither tubey or transistory, but just like music! Smooth as silk in the highs and mids, testicular and rock-solid in the nether regions. They are also priced right. Sure there's Gryphon or Voila or Dartzeel or Soulution or Balabo, but you need to pawn your soul to Beelzebul to afford one. I've heard these other amps at shows and other venues, let me assure you that SL's sound is absolutely in the same company. Call Klaus and tell him Jojo says hi!
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