2. amps-preamps
  3. 1207260778

TRL ST225 - Goodness anyone else own this amp

I will soon be writing a review on this amp and wonder if any fellow Agoners own this gem. If so, please let us hear your comments on it. I am nothing short of amazed by it. I had to "downsize" and sold a tube monobloc amp and tubed preamp combo costing over $15,000 new. Both pieces were fine sounding and well regarded.

I ended up trading a set of speakers for a TRL ST225 integrated amp. I had never heard of this amp before and was not aware of Paul's work.

All I will say for now is this integrated amp bested my previous set-up and is the finest sound my speakers and room have provided.

I am a tube guy folks and this SS amp is still the finest amp I have ever heard. I put $5000 in the bank and have better sounding music. Now that is exciting!!!

They cost some $5500 new and mine was purchased/traded as used. It had just been updated by Paul and came direct to me once the upgrade was finished.

Happy in MN

Bill
128x128grannyring
rx8man's avatar
rx8man
1,484 posts
 
In another league, can you describe the difference(s) ?

Bob, if you want to email each other off-line to prevent any flame wars from the aforementioned amps, please do, I saw way too many threads go to shit when trying to grasp comparisons or sonic traits from other companies.
perrew
299 posts
 
Bob you dont happen to have any pictures of the amps?
grannyring's avatar
grannyring OP
6,517 posts
 
The preamp section of my ST225 is quite similiar to the Dude as I understand it.

The whole wanting or liking a tube preamp thing just goes out the window with TRL's latest SS gear. It becomes a non-issue as this amp sounds like music not tubes or SS - just great music. Always composed, in control, no part of the sound spectrum out of balance, effortless power with slam and delicacy at the same time.

It really must be heard or experienced in ones system to be honest. Words do a poor job here.

Bill
grannyring's avatar
grannyring OP
6,517 posts
 
I stand corrected as the preamp section in my ST225 int amp is passive with a very high quality volume control.

I will also be purchasing a Dude as soon as I can afford one, but for now I love my TRL int amp. The amp section in my int amp is exactly the same as the sole amplifier by TRL.

Bill
ecruz
402 posts
 
Grannyring-

Your words are the exact ones I used today in an email to a friend to describe the D225, "effortless, composed", I thru in "balanced" and the fact that it never sounds strained or over-driven. I guess that's the same as composed. : )

I love it! My amp search has ended!
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