[riffer]

I am looking for a solid state amp to go with my main system.

Criteria:

Small Footprint (separate PSU okay) - maybe 1/3 shelf for the main unit.

Black, nice finish, preferably anodized aluminum

Must have some power. The only time I will use it will be to crank the volume up. I have a couple of tube amps for more "genteel" listening.

I am a little lost. Ray Samuels HR-2 initially looks good, but how much power?

Under $1,000 new.

Any other recommendations?

Check my profile for my other equipment.

Thanks, Rob

 

[granodemostasa]

GS-1.

 

[Killercrush]

X 2.

 

[slwiser]

Yamamoto HA-02 but it is not SS. It has all the detail of one though.

 

[FallenAngel]

Grab the Dynahi on the FS forum now, total steal at that price. It's not too "small", but it's worth it.

 

[pianomav]

GS-1 or Corda Opera

 

[Sovkiller]

The LISAIII is avery nice sounding amp, and IMO will beat many of those reco above, and is a lot smaller, SS, battery powered, could be used with the PSU as well, and very nice sounding...not sure if they have it in black though...

 

[riffer]

Just a picture of the system. Amp has to fit under the bottom shelf. I could probably squeeze a GS-1 in there.

Is the GS-1 going to have enough power that I could crank up my DT-880's ?

Also looking at the other recommendations. Thanks everyone.

 

[riffer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FallenAngel /img/forum/go_quote.gif Grab the Dynahi on the FS forum now, total steal at that price. It's not too "small", but it's worth it.

I agree, but see restricted space in my post above. I think the seller is also USA only.

 

[earwicker7]

I don't think you can go wrong with any Ray Samuels stuff, it's absolutely top notch.

Also consider the Headroom Balanced Desktop... own it, love it!

I wouldn't order the GS-1 unless you're willing to wait until 2009 to hear it.

 

[slwiser]

Quote:

Originally Posted by riffer /img/forum/go_quote.gif Just a picture of the system. Amp has to fit under the bottom shelf. I could probably squeeze a GS-1 in there. Is the GS-1 going to have enough power that I could crank up my DT-880's ? Also looking at the other recommendations. Thanks everyone.

Beautiful setup....Keep us posted as to how you finished it off.

 

[sacd lover]

The GS-1 would be my recommendation too. The GS-1 is quite powerful and will drive the 880's to ungodly levels. Plus, the GS-1 has more features than any of the competition. The amp is like a small control center. You have two inputs, a gain switch, a loop out, a preamp output and two headphone outputs. Finally, the GS-1 is a true discrete transistor design; no op amps.

I hope the post about waiting until 2009 was a joke .... because that is not remotely true. I have had two GS-1's and I never waited more than a couple weeks.

 

[earwicker7]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sacd lover /img/forum/go_quote.gif I hope the post about waiting until 2009 was a joke .... because that is not remotely true. I have had two GS-1's and I never waited more than a couple weeks.

I guess this is just my general frustration over having to cancel my Blue Hawaii SE due to shifting deadlines and lack of communication. I know criticizing HeadAmp on this site is akin to stating that you like to molest young boys, so I'm going to back away now

.

 

[trb36]

Asr did a review at the end of December on a number of sub 1k solid state amps, which you'd probably find helpful. I haven't heard any of these amps, but some that come up frequently are the Meier Opera, Headamp GS-1 (or Gilmore Lite, which is smaller), Single Power (I think they have a S.S. amp), Graham Slee Solo, Headroom Desktops, and Heed Canamp. Those are the ones I can think of off the top of my head, and may be worth looking into.

 

[sacd lover]

Quote:

Originally Posted by earwicker7 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I guess this is just my general frustration over having to cancel my Blue Hawaii SE due to shifting deadlines and lack of communication. I know criticizing HeadAmp on this site is akin to stating that you like to molest young boys, so I'm going to back away now .

Oh, Headamp has had their share of criticism; some no doubt fully deserved. But the point is ordering and receiving a custom BHSE electrostatic amp is nothing like ordering and receiving a GS-1.

Back on topic .... not only is the GS-1 is a good match with Grados, Senn 580/600/650's, Beyer dt880's and the AKG 701. The GS-1 is an excellent preamp.