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Mastersound Amps. Anything similar you'd recommend

I've finally decided to sell my current setup of a Musical Fidelity A308CR and a pair of Electrocompaniet AW220 and B&W 703's as I just don't listen too music all that much lately.

Would like to replace it with something more simple and have listened to an integrated tube amp from Mastersound at a locar dealer and very much liked the warm sound.

The model was the 300 BSE or BPSE, the speaker brand I don't recall right now.

I'm thinking on selling my amps and getting the integratet first, then sell my speakers and hope that a pair of PMC OB1+'s will still be available here where I live.

Do any of you have any suggestions as far as integrated tube amps go that would be comparable to the Mastersound?

What I'm looking for is a warmish sound that is less fatigueing then what I get with my current setup.

Thanks
krauti
bblilikoi's avatar
bblilikoi
99 posts
 
Cayin makes good P/P amps, but I don't know about whether they make SET or if they're any good. A different sound than Mastersound, from the Cayin KT88s I've heard.

I think Mastersound is special. Check this out:

http://www.soundstage.com/traveler/traveler200801.htm

http://www.ultraaudio.com/features/2007_11_01.htm
david12
1,454 posts
 
If your looking for the SET sound, there are 2 other Italian manufacturers to consider, New Audio Frontiers and Viva. The first I believe is quite a lot more expensive than Mastersound, Viva just more expensive. I got my Viva Solista 845 second hand for $4000 and have been very happy with it for 4 years. It puts out 22watts and easily drives my 89db Acoustic Zen Adagios. Ayon is a good make, but I believe most are Push Pull. If it was me, I would keep a lookout on this site for a second hand unit.
johnk's avatar
johnk
1,976 posts
 
I own a master sound and it will not drive the PMC. If going with a SET amp purchase loudspeakers designed for such use. As far as low priced amps near the sound quality after owning over 30 SET amps I can not think of any. But wright 2a3 or 300b not close to mastersound but good enough.
jax2
3,031 posts
 
I've owned Quicksilver 300B SET amps for about six years and love them. I have not heard Mastersound so cannot compare. The Quicksilver amps have huge power supplies and are wired point-to-point by hand. Bottom end is excellent, especially for a 300B amp. Midrange is superb. I'm using WE 300B's and newer Svets on occasion. WE's certainly best the Svets in overall musicality and just seem smoother, for lack of a better descriptor. They are rarely seen used, and Mike Sanders does not advertise them on his website, but did show them at RMAF 07, where they sounded astoundingly good with a modified horn speaker, which I cannot recall the manufacturer. He builds them on demand only - you will not find them on his website. I believe the price is $3000 with no tubes. $3200 with (not sure which tubes he provides). He also makes a KT88 SET amp which I have not heard personally, but a close friend who owns several of his amps including that one speaks highly of it. I believe it was also reviewed in one of the rags. That amp is on the website.
bjesien
1,345 posts
 
I agree with Johnk about the PMC not being the best pairing with Mastersound. I've heard a few Mastersound amps in my system and they are awesome. I can't believe some of them are selling so cheaply on this site.
If you like the sound of tubes you might find a speaker that you like as much as the PMC that is easier to drive.
For what it's worth I have an Avatar SE and it seems to have is more power and control its specs suggest.
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