I've heard Arrakis with 2 pair of Siegfrieds which are superb. I also heard the Aviors at RMAF a few years back with Absolare amps, I believe. Different models, different rooms, different sources but if I had to guesstimate the amp flavor - the VTLs have muscle along with finesse with less tube qualities. The Absolare much more tubeyness and less bass control. Both have excellent midrange and highs, excellent spacial cues and dimension.
Andy Payor uses Gryphon, though i have seen his website use CJ and VTL as well from his photos. today, you see Gryphon amplification and preamplification on his website. I have also spoken with him, and he definitely uses Gryphon a lot during design, testing and auditioning.
Andy Payor uses Gryphon, though i have seen his website use CJ and VTL as well from his photos. today, you see Gryphon amplification and preamplification on his website. I have also spoken with him, and he definitely uses Gryphon a lot during design, testing and auditioning.
"Works best" is completely subjective...
Best I've heard was Boulder. They seem to LOVE the extra wattage. Curious how a pair of D'Agostinos would do on them...
ASR Emitter 1 & 2, Ypsilon Aeliusmkii+pst100, Absolare set and push pull, Gryphon antileon, mephisto, colesseum, Ongaku, Kagura etc. All of them works beatifully on their own way. What are you really looking for ?
I've heard Rockports on BAT (tube and SS) and Vitus at Newport for many years (member here cakeaudio does a great setup) as well as the Cygnus on Boulder at this year's RMAF. BAT SS was my favorite setup between these options and an easy recommendation.
Ironic that Andy uses Gryphon which of course isn't distributed here? Or does he sell it direct.
I would imagine Payor gets all manner of high end amplifiers to try out. I don't think stating a specific preference would serve him well in general. If I manufactured speakers, I wouldn't endorse a particular amp but would display them with as many different amps as possible as long as the amps were generally suitable to the speakers' power and impedance requirements.
Two SS amps I like are Wells Audio, which has a nice tube sound, and Merrill Audio which is very fast and detailed. The only other SS amps that challenge these are D'Agostino.
If you want tube, go with single-tube output SET, like the Arte Forma. 30W DC-coupled monoblocks, so no caps in the signal path. Great iron too. Just needs the right tubes, and I can help with selecting these.