Thinking of buying a solid state amp

Semi, none of the current class D amps that I have heard can be deemed slow, including the current breed of JRDG products. Nimbleness and authority on difficult speakers seems to be a common characteristic of class D amplification, as it is shared by all amps of this type I have heard: NuForce, Spectron, Bel Canto, Channel Island, Wired4Sound to name a few. The problem of early class D designs was rather a certain lack of harmonic development, only moderate microdynamics, and a slight dryness in the treble. The result was that early class D amps were not very involving and sounded 'matter of fact'. It was a matter of learning curve. . . Some manufacturers have addressed these issues by designing a variety of strategies, including various forms of pre power supply rectification: e.g. Bel Canto Ref 500 and Ref 1000 Mk.2 monos. I believe Spectron may be doing something like that in its designs as well. Rowland uses a rectification variant called Active Power Factor Correction (PFC) in some of its newest models. . . but the problem remained for his earlier designs like the 201 and 501 monos. . . so he created an external unit for performing PFC rectification for the 201 and 501. . . and that is the PC-1 device. Unless you want to go over the $10K mark, within class D amplifiers, you may have a look at one of the newest Spectron variants, BC Ref 1000 Mk.2, and Rowland 501 augmented by twin PC-1s. Above that price point there are at least the Spectron monoblocks and the Rowland 312--the latter being my reference amp. In the $30K+ range, class D amps to look at are at least the Rowland 301 monoblocks (configured for low impedance speakers), and the Levinson No. 54. Happy hunting! G.

I have the same problem with heat that Semi has and I do have a small room. I own the 150se and lived with them for over four years, yes i did purchase the BAT 600se for awhile, but after only four months went back to the 150s. SS just was not working for me. (lost all the texture that tubes bring to the game). But I still had an heat problem. this summer I purchase a Crown K1. Just to get through the summer, it's not the best amp out there, but it will get me to September. I also owned CI D200s but they did not have the bass power that I liked.
if you want to try SS amps do so, but DON'T sell your 150s right away.

The new ModWright kWA 150 is a killer for the money. It can be run in stereo or bridged into mono. A solid state amp that will definitely appeal to a tube lover. Dan Wright is great to deal with.

Guidocorona, thanks for the info on class-D. I haven't followed class-D development that closely since introduction, my impression from the short ownership with class-D was just like what you described, lack of harmonic texture and delicacy. I have heard lots of good words about Rowland 3XX amps, but I wonder how they compared to Pass X350.5 which can be had for much less.

Moemoney, I know exactly what you meant. I have always owned tube amps and buy SS from time to time to see how things have improved over time. but as recent as a couple years ago, I still found BAT to outgun $20K+ SS amp in midrange and up. I might very well take the same route as you do, buy an inexpensive SS to use in hot days.

Luxman are priced different in asia and worth a look. I used to own Rowland 312 and x350.5. Knowing your taste, I doubt you'll like the 312.

I will miss a good listening buddy.