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

[Johnny Vinyl]

I haven't heard the vast majority of amps mentioned in this thread, and likely never will. I'm not one to audition amps for the sake of auditioning and really only stick to what I could potentially afford. That certainly leaves out most of the amps our WBF members own. I don't remember the model, but I heard a VAC integrated amp some years ago that I absolutely fell in love with. It was on consignment at my local dealer and he had it paired with some Totem Wind speakers. Very lush sounding, but I'm not sure the Winds were the best pairing for it. I think my Genesis G7s would be a better fit.

 

[LL21]

When i was fresh out of college, i did have the opportunity to listen to a few sota amps which i could not possibly have afforded, and i learned a lot about what i liked, what i did not...and where i was prepared to focus my actual budget in terms of getting to my priorities in sound.

Additionally, i also came across a pair of Apogee Stages...which i could ALMOST have stretch for...and that was a great learning experience too. Plus, if i had found them again only a few years, i DEFINITELY would have bought them. And probably would have not gone for Guarneris and then Strads along with the way to my X1/Slamms. They were that good (imho).

 

[tdh888]

In no particular order:

1. Audio Research D79B

2. Audio Research Classic 150 Monoblocks

3. Audio Research D 250MK 2 Servo

4. Audio Research Ref 750 Monoblocks

5. Audio Research Ref 600 Mk 3 Monoblocks

6. Jadis JA 200 Monoblocks

7. Jadis JA 30 Monoblocks

8. Jeff Rowland Model 8

9. FM Acoustic Model 611

10. Harmann Kardon Citation 2

These amps I've heard extensively and if I have the money I would try to acquire all of them .

Tdh 888

 

[XV-1]

+1
Probably 10 that you lust for

Now that would be a good question. Plenty I lust for.

 

[bonzo75]

When i was fresh out of college, i did have the opportunity to listen to a few sota amps which i could not possibly have afforded, and i learned a lot about what i liked, what i did not...and where i was prepared to focus my actual budget in terms of getting to my priorities in sound.

Additionally, i also came across a pair of Apogee Stages...which i could ALMOST have stretch for...and that was a great learning experience too. Plus, if i had found them again only a few years, i DEFINITELY would have bought them. And probably would have not gone for Guarneris and then Strads along with the way to my X1/Slamms. They were that good (imho).

But surely your preferences would have changed now with more exposure - more exposure to both gear and music?

 

[LL21]

But surely your preferences would have changed now with more exposure - more exposure to both gear and music?

You're right...i know some things have changed...i appreciate detail retrieval, bass snap, and lack of grain FAR more than i used to. However, i also know that if i had to build a system using only my college budget of many years ago...my priorities probably will not have changed that much. I would still look at 2nd hand Celestions...probably with a bit more current/power than i was using back then to improve control/dynamics. And i would still be tempted to hear the Apogees again, other than the fact i would be concerned about repairs.

In many ways, you can still hear my priorities in my own system today, and they have not changed THAT much from 20 years ago. Its just that i've been fortunate to be able to add to the system other capabilities through the better equipment and good advice along the way.

 

[ozy]

here's my take-
Burmester 909s
Burmester 911
Vac 450s
Gryphon colleseum solos(when they work!)
krell 750 mcx monos
Boulder 2010/2011- only heard at ces shows-
Lamm- ml3- only heard at ces shows.
Dartzeel amps-only heard at ces shows and at a friend's system. they are so very special and organic sounding.
Ypsilion set 100- only heard at shows.
anything by Jadis- quite magical.

 

[flez007]

I have a long list, but will keep it to three per amp type:

TUBED
Audio Note Conquest Silver
Jadis JA200
Absolare Reference

SOLID STATE
Gryphon Mephisto Mono
Reimyo CDT777
Boulder 2060

CLASS D
Mola Mola
JRDG M925
Merril Veritas Mono

VINTAGE
CJ Premier 8B
McIntosh 275
JRDG Model 5

 

[LL21]

For the few components i know, great list, Flez.

 

[XV-1]

For the few components i know, great list, Flez.

Lloyd

Upgrade?

http://www.stereo.net.au/forums/index.php?/topic/88255-the-gryphon-colosseum-solos/

 

[LL21]

Lloyd

Upgrade?

http://www.stereo.net.au/forums/index.php?/topic/88255-the-gryphon-colosseum-solos/

Hey Shane! Great to hear from you...thanks for thinking of me! Perfectly happy with the Colosseum stereo...particularly given my trusty old X1s and 95db/5ohm load. And we ever went up to Gary's monstrous panels or the Arrakis (both of which i think need 2 sets of amps)...we'd probably go for another Colosseum stereo.

...which of course means these have your name on them!

 

[Ron Resnick]

I am not familiar with enough amplifiers to have ten favorites. My five favorites, in alphabetical order, are:

Aesthetix Atlas
Jadis JA-200
Lamm ML 3 Signature
VTL MB-750s
VTL Siegfrieds

 

[mullard88]

1. 47 lab gaincard
2. FM Acoustic 1811
3. Forsell The Statement
4. Audio Research D76
5. Spectral DMA 100
6. Lamm M1.2
7. Stax DA 80M
8. McCormack DNA-2
9. Spectral DMA 100S
10. Precision Fidelity M7

 

[Jeffy]

flez007 between the the Gryphon and Reimyo which one did you like better and why.

I have a long list, but will keep it to three per amp type:

TUBED
Audio Note Conquest Silver
Jadis JA200
Absolare Reference

SOLID STATE
Gryphon Mephisto Mono
Reimyo CDT777
Boulder 2060

CLASS D
Mola Mola
JRDG M925
Merril Veritas Mono

VINTAGE
CJ Premier 8B
McIntosh 275
JRDG Model 5

 

[LL21]

I may have asked you this. But any further insights/listening notes on FM1811 would be welcome! Always curious to know more about the legendary FMA.

1. 47 lab gaincard
2. FM Acoustic 1811
3. Forsell The Statement
4. Audio Research D76
5. Spectral DMA 100
6. Lamm M1.2
7. Stax DA 80M
8. McCormack DNA-2
9. Spectral DMA 100S
10. Precision Fidelity M7

 

[Gregadd]

Operative word here is favorite.n


Cost no object which is also m vote for SET Direct Heated Triode
Lamm ML3

Tube hybrid
Moscode 402au
Solid Stae
Dartzeel (with Evolution Acoustic speakers)
Technical Brain
Spectral Monoblocks
Vintage tube
CJ premier 11a.
Audip Research D-79
Vintage SOlid Stae
Rowland research 5o
Krell KSA seriesli
Tube

Atmassphere MA1MkII

 

[bonzo75]

Hi, have you compared the tube hybrid you mention to Lamm M2.2?

 

[flez007]

flez007 between the the Gryphon and Reimyo which one did you like better and why.

hard call, I like them both BUT the Gryphon can serve a wider associated component options.

 

[Gregadd]

Hi, have you compared the tube hybrid you mention to Lamm M2.2?

No I have not. AT

 

[LL21]

flez007 between the the Gryphon and Reimyo which one did you like better and why.

hard call, I like them both BUT the Gryphon can serve a wider associated component options.

Very interesting...i came to a similar conclusion when considering various amps. I felt that Gryphon was world-class by virtually any measure that mattered to me...and ALSO very versatile in its ability to drive most any load. I admit i have not heard the last word in SETs, Lamm, etc...but despite my attempts to consider those very very seriously, the arithmetic on those ultimately did not work for me when i knew i might wish to consider MUCH more difficult speaker loads in the future.