Looking for a Smooth, liquid, non-colored amp

[Chefguru]

I'm looking for a very smooth also most liquid like, non-colored amp for under 1000 that will work well with an Alessandro ms-2. Tubes, solid-state, what ever works. Also other notes ( I don't need these, but these are kind of things I would like to have), can't be too bassy, I don't really need over kill with detail, and if possible improvement in mids would be great.
Two amps I've looked at "that kind of" fit the bill:

rudistor-Rp4/Rp5 (not sure if this is really perfect for the ms-2 although it seems like the best candidate so far)

Emmeline stealth II(over my price range though)

 

[Sovkiller]

ZOTL, OTL32, Twinhead (for going over your budget I would give this baby a try) are some others to consider, not sure the performance with the MS-2....

 

[Chefguru]

edit/ nvm

 

[Wmcmanus]

Kyle, the Stealth blows your $1k budget by a factor of 2.5 times! The Ray Samuels HR-2 might do the trick though, if you want solid state smooth.

I'd also consider the Single Power PPX3 with some upgrades (Mikhail can give you a list of options and talk you through them) or a standard MPX3. To me, it was a close call between the PPX3/MPX3 line and the Rudi Stor RP5, but if "smoothness" is what you want, I'd say the MPX3 would be the best bet (of these 3 at least).

 

[Iron_Dreamer]

You description fits my impressions of the Stealth to a T. Sorry wallet

 

[gpalmer]

Hmmmm, if it were me I'd run not walk in the direction of a Gilmore V2-SE upgraded with Black Gates. Should you find one used it would be inside your budget, otherwise it's somewhere around 1200.00 for one with silver wire...

 

[Mikey01]

Don't ask us, ask your wallet. It may have a different answer.

 

[ampgalore]

Emmeline HR-2, smoooooooothhhhhhhhh

 

[Welly Wu]

Actually, I have both the Emmeline HR-2 (own it; reviewing it) and Emmeline II The Stealth (reviewing it). Both are fully burned in. I haven't tube rolled yet. I'm still waiting for the op-amp rolling kit by John_JCB.

The Ray Samuels house sound is still the same: deep blackness between notes and quiet background, speed, dynamic power, natural attack / decay of notes, and darkness along with warmth with the option to tune the sound for the system or the mood.

The sound is slightly different. The Emmeline HR-2 has a slight digital hash / grunge in the upper midrange and treble (system synergy does play a role in producing or eliminating it) with speedier and more energetic attack with slightly unnatural decay. It has dynamic power without breaking a sweat. It also has a more forward, in your face, sound tuned for the AD797 op-amp. The Emmeline II The Stealth is similiar but sounds more organic, liquid, and natural. It has gentle, quiet, strength. Speed and dynamic power are still intact but "front loading" the energy is slightly less in your face with greater natural decay extension. Soundstage is more of a noticeable difference. The HR-2 sounds like you are listening to a performance inside the cozy confines of a jazz club while sitting at the first table. The Emmeline II sounds like you're hearing it played outside in a quiet spot in the park a few feet away. Imaging are still precise but the Emmeline II extends the soundstage upward and outward so you get this fuller soundstage sans the digital hash / grunge energy. These are my first night's impressions so far. My review of both amps will be published herein and other places by July 31st, 2004.

My impressions of the Emmeline II The Stealth for tonight are based on using the Russian Electro-Harmonix 12AX7 / 6SN7 tubes. Tube rolling begins tomorrow after I let the unit cool down for one night.

Time to read my thread and reverse the safety steps to get it unplugged and set for tube rolling tomorrow morning.

Addition: DVD-Audio and SA-CD sound so convincingly real, so living breathing real, that all ideas I had of both hi-rez formats must be adjusted.

 

[jpelg]

Maestrobated Melos SHA-Gold Reference (or Maestro) w/NOS tubes.

I know they are not exactly the FOTM anymore, but these babies get the job done in their stock form, especially for Grados/Alessandros. There are one or two nice Melos examples in the FS forum here. Carlo's mods do it even better when you are ready, and tuberolling can tweak the sound even further to your specific taste.

 

[Chefguru]

Thanks for the answers. One more question.

What do you think about the Meier prehead/ha-2 ? Do you think that would work well for me?

 

[cosmopragma]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chefguru Thanks for the answers. One more question. What do you think about the Meier prehead/ha-2 ? Do you think that would work well for me?

I don't think so.
I own a Prehead, and I wouldn't call it smooth.
It's more for detail lovers IMO.

 

[Sean H]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Welly Wu The Emmeline II sounds like you're hearing it played outside in a quiet spot in the park a few feet away. Imaging are still precise but the Emmeline II extends the soundstage upward and outward so you get this fuller soundstage sans the digital hash / grunge energy. These are my first night's impressions so far.

I'd suspect that some of this is due to the stepped attenuator of the Stealth versus the plastic conductive pot in the HR-2. Your description of their differences parallel that of what people hear when installing a stepped attenuator in their amp. Greater space and better imaging (channel separation), more unfettered/liquid/effortless presentation, cleaner/greater clarity. Of course we are talking tubes too and a little bit higher quality design here as well, not to sell the Stealth short by just pinning it on the pots. Just a thought.

 

[Nik]

Non colored amp? Yes: RP5 Reference with JJ Tesla NOS E88CC tubes!

Best!
Nicola

 

[ipodstudio]

I'm suprised no-one's waded in with the PPA as a suggestion. I was looking for exactly the same as Chefguru when I ordered mine and I haven't been disappointed with the full monty at all!