The End-Game Solid State Amplifier Master List

[Haidar]

Would the Denafrips Artemis qualify to be included in the list?

 

[whitefang]

I think there's actually two demo units. One of them got a short and was burned out but was repaired. The shop selling it won't disclose that though, caveat emptor.

The Gold does have a pretty odd tonality. It works really well with some headphones and, but not others. Pretty strange and definitely not neutral. I was on the hunt for one until I got an extended demo. The Cavalli Glass and Cavalli Crimson are Alex's best work by far, but unfortunately the die hard Cavalli fans know this and they usually sell within an hour of being listed.


I rolled through about 20 SS amps in a few years and posted a bit about them elsewhere. For top of the line I'd list:

Audio-GD HE-9 - An upgraded Master 9 amplifier
Headroom Blockhead - Unrivaled in clarity and detail retrieval. Every other SS has a bit of grain in comparison.
Phonitor X (already listed) - Excellent tonality and detail retrieval.
Kinki THR-1 - Pretty unique little amplifier. Ultra powerful to a fault, but excellent clarity and bass control for planars



I'd say the following amps aren't really summit-fi end game SS amps, but still excellent amps for < $1000
Liquid Gold (both Cavalli Audio and Monoprice)
Schiit Rag
ifi ican pro

I totally agree with you on Cavalli's amp. I had been looking for LG for years until I gave up.
When CA release the LAu and cut price by 30%, I was debating between LAu and LG, I have to say I regretted that I chose the LAu.
But its unnatural sound pairs amazing well with with LCD3PF and the Abyss.

 

[smallcaps]

You could add Enleum HPA-23RM to your list which is their reference dedicated headphone amp.

By the way Enleum products are not replacing Bakoon products, they are just two separate companies

Added! Thanks

Not so sure about the two separate companies part. bakoon.com redirects to enleum.com and this is their company description:

https://enleum.com/company/

Looks more like a rebrand.

Fixed! Cheers!

Would the Denafrips Artemis qualify to be included in the list?

Added! Thanks!

 

[geek707]

Are Headroom Blockhead's even available used? I haven't seen any.

 

[paradoxper]

Add a tube pre with your choice and you'll discover something special.

 

[smallcaps]

Are Headroom Blockhead's even available used? I haven't seen any.

I think it's a rare beast...

 

[Nostoi]

Added! Thanks

Fixed! Cheers!


Added! Thanks!

You need to also correct this because it's factually erroneous:

Bakoon has been added but I suspect it wont last long due to it being replaced by Enleum products. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Tex Irie]

No love for the Questyle CMA Twelve Master @smallcaps? I found the amplification to be slightly better than the CMA Fifteen.

 

[iFi audio]

The relationship between Enleum, Bakoon International, and Bakoon Products is complicated but you can get a flavour of it from here onwards https://www.head-fi.org/threads/bak...t-laboratory-news.964347/page-3#post-17080359

...and here: https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/enleum-amp-23r/

 

[geek707]

No love for the Questyle CMA Twelve Master @smallcaps? I found the amplification to be slightly better than the CMA Fifteen.

Which of the items on this list other than Questyle are combined Amp/DAC?
I personally prefer not to combine.

 

[smallcaps]

No love for the Questyle CMA Twelve Master @smallcaps? I found the amplification to be slightly better than the CMA Fifteen.

Added and thanks for the suggestion!

Which of the items on this list other than Questyle are combined Amp/DAC?
I personally prefer not to combine.

I believe most of them are stand-alone, except for maybe the Phonitor XE?

 

[kevin gilmore]

krell ksa 5

 

[geek707]

First @smallcaps thanks for all the work you have done. This is a great resource.
And what a rabbit hole. While I don't think you need to do anything else, do you feel the need for yet another class, that is end game but not in production?

 

[Tex Irie]

First @smallcaps thanks for all the work you have done. This is a great resource.
And what a rabbit hole. While I don't think you need to do anything else, do you feel the need for yet another class, that is end game but not in production?

Great idea @geek707, Probably should so fellow Head-Fiers looking for these products know if it is unobtainable due to production ceasing. I think this is the start of a great resource. Thank you @smallcaps.

 

[geek707]

Great idea @geek707, Probably should so fellow Head-Fiers looking for these products know if it is unobtainable due to production ceasing. I think this is the start of a great resource. Thank you @smallcaps.

The Krell was the trigger for me, but there was a Headroom Amp that's also not available, and at least the Zahl that's very limited production, and might never be available on the open market to us mere mortals.
That said there are a lot more choices than I was aware of to sort through.