Warm and Detailed S.S. Amp?

Nsgarch - My system pix are dated and need revision. My Klipsch horn speakers are temporarily in storage. I listen primarily to two systems, one tube, on SS. Along with the Muse 2+ DAC, which I still love though it is long in the tooth as far as current technology is concerned, I also use a Wavelength Brick (also a great DAC). Dedicated circuits, power conditioning, decent cabling, blahbadeeblahblah. I enjoy both systems. They sound entirely different. I don't give a tinker's cuss whether either could be called accurate, or either could be called "colored". Both are very easy to listen to at length, both very compelling. I enjoy listening to certain music more on the tube rig, and other music sounds best to me on the SS rig. They are quite different, and have different strengths and weaknesses. The tube SET system is very seductive and dimensional. The SS is more detailed and impactful but has a more 2-dimensional soundstage. The SS is currently in transition (I just changed amps). I agree that SS can be very enjoyable in its own right and does not have to be fatiguing or hard on the ears. But I kind of missed the point you were making in bringing up my system and comparing it to your current system. Could you clarify that? I may be missing something.

I'll third the Bedini vote (not the pasta, the amp). I had a 25/25 for a while that was a very enjoyable amp. I would have called it a 'warm' amp as well. I'm sorry, Mr. Tennis, but I'm not versed, nor inclined to such objective and analytical ways of describing and understanding this stuff. I can say that I've heard SS amps that are fatiguing and unpleasent to my ears as they were implemented, in spite of the fact that others seemed to like them. I've also heard SS amps that sound great and do many things right. Does this imply they fit your criteria. I have no idea, nor does in concern me, (nor should it). For whatever reason, and I cannot pin it down to frequency response, I would probably call these amps "warm" sounding if pressed to put words to it, and some of them also exhibit remarkable detail. But perhaps they might be the very amps that you disdain.

Marco

Grant - Yes, I have been very impressed with the Panache over the past year. It is a difficult amp to fault. I've replaced it for now with an Odyssey dual mono. It does some things better, but then there are also some qualities it is missing. The Panache has a midrange purity that is hard to beat. Nothing I've had over the years did a piano like the Panache did. What the Panache lacked, in my experience, was low end muscle and it was also not the last word in resolving detail, both of which I've found the Odyssey does better. Ultimately I wish I could have both, of course. Currently I've been running the Odyssey with the Cary SLP-50a as well as direct through a Benchmark DAC1 I'm borrowing. The latter combination I do not like at all...in fact I really haven't found much to like about the Benchmark DAC at all. The highs really grate on me, and it has a very amplified sound to it, rather than a natural presence. These characteristics have shown themselves in several configurations I've tried it with. Just one opinion though...obviously some folks like it a whole lot, I'm just not one of them, or haven't heard it with the right system. Going direct through the SS system, it sounds on the flat side and I do not find it engaging in any way. As I stated before, it can be quite harsh in the upper mid and highs. Going to the tubed Cary Pre, the Odyssey is wonderful...dynamic, engaging, with a commanding hold on my Silverline SR17's. I would certainly call it a warm sounding amp with the tube pre pushing it. I've yet to try an SS pre, but I will at some point soon. Alas, it does not do Piano like the Panache did. Overall, the strengths it does have were enough for me to make the change, and experiment a bit more with SS and some added power (though it is only 80watts more it does seem to play out as a greater difference for some reason). I'd say the Odyssey is a more overall balanced amp, where the Panache's primary strength was in it's midrange purity. I do miss that. Though I still find with most of the music I favor (acoustic, vocals, small ensemble stuff) the SET system is what I prefer to listen on, I still would not kick the SS out of bed for eating crackers. I do miss my horns, but they're just too large for our modest house. The SET system currently is played through Galante Rhapsody speakers, which do very well indeed with the smaller space. Not as lightening fast and dynamic as horns, but then again, what is?

Marco

Marco, Can you tell me more about the Cary SLP. I recently acquired the 'matching' SLM50BmkII's and was wondering if the '50' would be additive warmth wise (not a good thing for me), more neutral, or just plain synergetic. Have you used it with anything other than the Panache? E-mail me if you don't want to clutter up this thread. Thanks.......