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GAS pains ... need solid state amp recommendations

post #1 of 13
4/8/09 at 12:00am
Thread Starter 
I just got a new Ayre C5-xe CD/SACD player and I love it! My cans are in my signature. The Cary 300SEI is incredible, but I'm itching for a great solid state amp that would give me a different sound. Any recommendations? I'm not an oil baron or anything, but at this point I would say that budget is not really an issue. I listen to all types of music but prefer rock/jazz/alternative/metal/acoustic.
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post #2 of 13
4/8/09 at 12:21am
Not sure if you want to try balanced or not as well but personally i'd get a B22 without thinking twice.

other popular higher end choices are

Brandie newskie HeadRoom Balanced Ultra Desktop Amp

Headamp GS1/X

Ray Samuel Apache

then theres excellent cheaper options like the Little Dot Mk. V or the HD Ear 90
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post #3 of 13
4/8/09 at 3:15am
The best solid state amp that I have heard was the RSA Apache, followed closely by the Beta 22. The Beta seemed less picky to me, though. The Apache was fantastic with all phones, but to me it seemed as though performance varied more from phone to phone than did the Beta.
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post #4 of 13
4/8/09 at 7:57am
I'd also go with a custom DIY amp. The Beta22 is currently the most popular, and it is an excellent amp. However, the Gilmore designs have just become viable again. There are substitute chips available for the Dynalo and Dynahi amps, which means you could have either built or you could step up to a Dynamid or a Dynamight. You'd have a hard time going wrong with any of those.
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post #5 of 13
4/8/09 at 12:45pm
Don't forget the Rudi Stor amps
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post #6 of 13
4/8/09 at 4:01pm
You might want to check if Todd's demo Luxman P-1 is still available. That's a lovely amp. Otherwise, perhaps keep an eye out for reviews of the P-200, the little brother of the P-1.

And I echo the B22 recommendations.
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post #7 of 13
4/8/09 at 5:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Monkey View Post
You might want to check if Todd's demo Luxman P-1 is still available. That's a lovely amp. Otherwise, perhaps keep an eye out for reviews of the P-200, the little brother of the P-1.

And I echo the B22 recommendations.
Thing with the Luxman is i read it has a "tube like" sound and the OP said he'd like to try something different than tubes.
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post #8 of 13
4/8/09 at 6:19pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Skin View Post
Thing with the Luxman is i read it has a "tube like" sound and the OP said he'd like to try something different than tubes.
Thanks for looking out for me SKIN!! haha
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post #9 of 13
4/8/09 at 6:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Skin View Post
Thing with the Luxman is i read it has a "tube like" sound and the OP said he'd like to try something different than tubes.
I thought about that when recommending it, but I think the perceived "tube-like" quality has more to do with the ability of the P-1 to engage and convey warmth. However, in the short time I spent with it, I also felt that the P-1 exhibited the speed and agility that we often associate with solid state amps.
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post #10 of 13
4/8/09 at 11:11pm
Thread Starter 
The Rudistor RP010-B looks like a beast but man it's around $4500 new
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post #11 of 13
4/9/09 at 11:49am
PS AUDIO GCHA
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post #12 of 13
4/10/09 at 6:20pm
I would suggest the HeadAmp GS-1 for a very nice contrast to most tube amps. It is very clear sounding and well built (Justin consistanly does a great job). I really like that it has a loop out and preamp output.

The P-200 could hold a lot of promise. I was very reluctant to buy a Luxman. When I read the review of the P-1 that Jude did it seemed like he was just fulfilling a childhood want of owning a Luxman. Now that I own one, I can see why he wanted one in the first place.
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post #13 of 13
4/13/09 at 7:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by plaidplatypus View Post
I would suggest the HeadAmp GS-1 for a very nice contrast to most tube amps. It is very clear sounding and well built (Justin consistanly does a great job). I really like that it has a loop out and preamp output.
I would certainly agree that the HeadAmp GS-1 is a real gem. I've had mine for over a year, and continue to be amazed at how smooth, detailed and transparent this amp is. I don't know whether a balanced set-up is in your future or not (the Ayre has balanced outputs, so it might be worth a try), but if it is, I would recommend the GS-1's balanced counterpart - the GS-X, which I have on order myself. Actually the GS-X is probably a little better than the GS-1 in single-ended mode as well although the solid state modules that Justin uses are basically the same. The build quality of the HeadAmp units is quite solid - haven't seen any really much better. I have no experience with any of the other high-end balanced amps, and would defer any comment pertaining to their SQ or build quality to others who have had experience with them.
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