Your top 10 favorite amps (inspired by LL21's post)

[rockitman]

My amp evolution from 1993 to present has been...Mark Levinson 27.5, Pass XA-100.5's in 2010 and XS-150's in 2013. I guess I don't get out much....since I bought them, they were my favorites...economically depending at the time. I was poor in the 90's.

 

[LL21]

My amp evolution from 1993 to present has been...Mark Levinson 27.5, Pass XA-100.5's in 2010 and XS-150's in 2013. I guess I don't get out much....since I bought them, they were my favorites...economically depending at the time. I was poor in the 90's.

why get out much, when you've got world class at home? In 1992, i bought my first stereo component...a pair of Celestion SL6si speakers...and very shortly thereafter a Denon Integrated to drive them. Took til 2000 to pick up the CJ PV14L and MV60...an ear opening experience...then 2010 for Gryphon Antileon and (after a number of repairs on the 14-year old amps) then Colosseum followed quickly thereafter in 2012 or so.

 

[egidius]

Hi LL,

thanks for the flowers ;-)
You know, I never quite take my hobby as serious: When I said, maybe I should have stopped at Sugden, I really meant it.
You can only make that many moves forward without getting confused about your direction in sound. More often, changes turn out to be sideways. I guess we all know that.
With Berning I kind of gathered that everything else would only be different. That's what makes them probably "best".
And this in turn allows me to concentrate on content again, which, for me as a musician, is essential.
and yes - Conrad Johnson should be congratulated for their products. Whenever I came across the Pr11, 12 or even once the Pr8, I was very impressed.

 

[LL21]

Hi LL,

thanks for the flowers ;-)
You know, I never quite take my hobby as serious: When I said, maybe I should have stopped at Sugden, I really meant it.
You can only make that many moves forward without getting confused about your direction in sound. More often, changes turn out to be sideways. I guess we all know that.
With Berning I kind of gathered that everything else would only be different. That's what makes them probably "best".
And this in turn allows me to concentrate on content again, which, for me as a musician, is essential.
and yes - Conrad Johnson should be congratulated for their products. Whenever I came across the Pr11, 12 or even once the Pr8, I was very impressed.

I have read Roy Gregory's review on the big Quad Z Berning monos and spoken very briefly with him about them. I believe he commented that he found that the speed of the amp not only allowed for 'no bleeding' between notes...but the lack of any discernable blur in between notes also imparted a unique insight into the very very subtle interplay of notes, the fingering technique, etc...that is such an important part of each musicians technique and sound.

As a musician, do you agree? Most curious, because i can imagine a musician particularly appreciating this about such an amp.

 

[egidius]

very much so: The flow of music seems so easy - having said that, when I bring in the MIPA, there I feel the music like clear water, whereas the Berning has a bit more speed to it, and the feeling that the Bass is the same speed as the treble (I use straight forward easy load speakers: Merlin VSM, or in the Studio an Acustik Lab Stella Opus/Novus system)

 

[LL21]

very much so: The flow of music seems so easy - having said that, when I bring in the MIPA, there I feel the music like clear water, whereas the Berning has a bit more speed to it, and the feeling that the Bass is the same speed as the treble (I use straight forward easy load speakers: Merlin VSM, or in the Studio an Acustik Lab Stella Opus/Novus system)

Interesting...i will have to look up the Audio Consulting MIPA. I have heard of it but not investigated. Perfectly happy and in fact grateful to have something like Gryphon Colosseum...but its always good to learn.

 

[egidius]

..here some pics of my amp (some already had fun, let them ;-)
http://www.whatsbestforum.com/showthread.php?7053-FM-Acoustics-255-MkIIR/page2

and of course, here:

www.audio-consulting.ch

(no affiliation, except a mutual friend)

But I gather, you would probably need the bigger MIPA, which just binds a bit more cash..

 

[LL21]

..here some pics of my amp (some already had fun, let them ;-)
http://www.whatsbestforum.com/showthread.php?7053-FM-Acoustics-255-MkIIR/page2

and of course, here:

www.audio-consulting.ch

(no affiliation, except a mutual friend)

But I gather, you would probably need the bigger MIPA, which just binds a bit more cash..

Thanks...i did go to the website earlier...have you heard their speakers?

 

[egidius]

audio consulting

yes.
It is a unique experience of light weight. No oppression at all. He is also as meticulous as to be considered esoteric, if it wouldn't deliver as much.

If ever you are in Switzerland between Lausanne and Geneva you should probably try and hear it.

 

[LL21]

yes.
It is a unique experience of light weight. No oppression at all. He is also as meticulous as to be considered esoteric, if it wouldn't deliver as much.

If ever you are in Switzerland between Lausanne and Geneva you should probably try and hear it.

Thanks...will give that a try if we get out there.

 

[maslak34]

Old:
Krell evo 1 and 2 (together)
Audio research vt 100


New :

Ypsilon set 100 ultimate
Ypsilon aelius
Gryphon mephisto stereo

 

[harleyguy]

Tenor 350

 

[LL21]

Old:
Krell evo 1 and 2 (together)
Audio research vt 100


New :

Ypsilon set 100 ultimate
Ypsilon aelius
Gryphon mephisto stereo

I have heard the Krell Evo 1 & 2 driving the Alexandria 1s many years ago, and the SET100s driving YG Anat Ref IIs with Boulder DAC. Never heard the Mephisto but get to enjoy the Colosseum every day. All of these amps are great.

 

[Peter Breuninger]

In no particular order...

Vintage:
Jadis JA 500 (owned)
Conrad Johnson Premier 1 (own)

Modern:
D'Agostino mono (10 audio show auditions)
Audionet Max (under review)
Ypsilon SET 100 (6 audio show auditions, 1 distributor audition)
Audionote GakuON (2 audio shows, on its way for review)
Pass Labs Xs 300 (2 audio show auditions)
Dartzeel 458 (2 audio show auditions)

SET (include parallel SET)
Ayon Vulcan II (reviewed)
Lamm ML2.2 (reviewed but not TAS published)

Bump Jadis, add Audio Note Gaku-On (modern)

 

[DaveyF]

Bump Jadis, add Audio Note Gaku-On (modern)

Peter, I noticed that you own or owned a CJ Premier 1. This amp was IMO one of the better "vintage" amps from back in the day. I'm curious how you would compare it to the Lamm ML2.2 or the Ayon Vulcan 11...both modern tube amps; BUT with an older circuit design/topology.

 

[c1ferrari]

Not Ten...

but

SS -- Bricasti, Constellation Audio
Thermionic Valve -- Atma-Sphere, Tenor

 

[cjfrbw]

I'm not a Lamm fan, per se, but I would have to agree with Steve's citation of his own Lamm ML3's with the Wilson speakers. It is one of the very tops and would have to cure audiophlia nervosa.

I love the Wavacs. However, my current favorite pairing is the Yamaha B-2 (yes, that one from the late 1970's) with a 26 directly heated triode driving it with a mercury vapor rectifier, sublime and involving. I can listen to this pairing forever on my planar speakers. Sounds much better to me than the Ypsilon monsters with the tube rectified pentode drivers that I have heard at shows.

I also like the Pass SIT amps I have heard at shows and his Monster tribute VFET amp, also heard at shows. They really have to start making those VFETs again. They are the only solid state devices that have been able to turn my tube prejudiced heart around.

 

[XV-1]

Not sure how anyone could name their 10 favourite amps, except for a reviewer as the original question came from.

A pretty bizzare question, if it was 2 or 3 fav amps I could understand.

 

[Jazzhead]

Not sure how anyone could name their 10 favourite amps, except for a reviewer as the original question came from.

A pretty bizzare question, if it was 2 or 3 fav amps I could understand.

+1
Probably 10 that you lust for

 

[jadis]

Jadis JA200. They produce sweet, fine and delicate music. How I miss them. Breaks down every 1 or 2 years. Being a 4 chassis affair, I needed a tech man who does home service. And that tech man stood me up several times till I decided to let the amp go.