[WarriorAnt]

Quote:

I have faith that only a very small number of faulty units slipped through the Leben QC division unless they've moved production from the land of the rising sun to the great land of China?
 
 

3K+ is a lot of faith.  One should never be let down at that price.    
 
If you are really hung up on balanced outputs then go for the V181.  There is no reason to thing balanced outputs will be better than a SE design. It depends on many factors.   Personally I'd tell you to go V200 is SS.  If you feel compelled for balanced then the V181.  But for 1K and pretty much for some ground above that the V200 is a steal no matter.

 

[musicman59]

Quote:

 

Hey Musicman and WA! Thank you both for explaining this stuff to me. I gather from Musicman's description of your LF trial vs your V200 that the difference between the LF and a cost equivalent SS amp is not vast? The reason I am leaning towards a SS amp is because I don't see myself as being a pure audiophile. That is, one who will spend hours acquiring and tweaking with tubes, wires, psu units etc to get a marginal improvement in sound. This is also amplified by the fact that I really think my ears are not sufficiently trained to pick up the slight variations. 
 
Ok then. I'm putting aside a flexible 2K budget for a good ss amp and while not a deal breaker, would actually prefer one which has balanced outputs. Looks like for the time being, the V181 or the Beta22 are good contenders, unless the Lake People decide to surprise us with a V282! Any other SS suggestions would be really appreciated. 
 
Thanks again guys! I really appreciate the time you all spent with my queries. 
 

IMO, if you want a balanced SS amp that will last you for many years I would go with a RSA Apache if you need the pre-amp option if you don't need that then the Dark Star. New are more of the $2K but you might be able to find an Apache in the used market for about your budget.
 
I like the V200 and also the V181 (when I audition it) and they are very good for their price range but IMO the RSA amps are in a different league.
 
 

 

[WarriorAnt]

Quote:

IMO, if you want a balanced SS amp that will last you for many years I would go with a RSA Apache if you need the pre-amp option if you don't need that then the Dark Star. New are more of the $2K but you might be able to find an Apache in the used market for about your budget.
 
I like the V200 and also the V181 (when I audition it) and they are very good for their price range but IMO the RSA amps are in a different league.
 
 

The Dark Star will run you $3495.   I considered it recently but went for the Liquid Fire instead.  The Apache will run $3K.    
 
 

 

[dallan]

Quote:

The Dark Star will run you $3495.   I considered it recently but went for the Liquid Fire instead.  The Apache will run $3K.    
 
 

Better be a different league.  I know my Zana Deux is in a different league than the v200 but is limited to high impedance HP's.  So i have the v200 for the lower impedance.  Zana will run you about two and a half thousand but out here lately i have seen a few come up for just over a thousand, which had previously been unheard of.

 

[qawsedrf]

The Dark Star will run you $3495.   I considered it recently but went for the Liquid Fire instead.  The Apache will run $3K.    

Woah.. Has the LF reached you yet?

 

[Blurpapa]

Quote:

Personally I'd tell you to go V200 is SS.  If you feel compelled for balanced then the V181.  But for 1K and pretty much for some ground above that the V200 is a steal no matter.

Roger that WA. I will heed that. Partially because you have a lot of experience with the V200 and also because I agree that some manufacturers are using the "balanced" argument to charge a fat premium on their products. But the problem is, imaginary or real, I do hear a difference from balanced amps which are well put together.
 

 

[Blurpapa]

Quote:

IMO, if you want a balanced SS amp that will last you for many years I would go with a RSA Apache if you need the pre-amp option if you don't need that then the Dark Star. New are more of the $2K but you might be able to find an Apache in the used market for about your budget.
 
I like the V200 and also the V181 (when I audition it) and they are very good for their price range but IMO the RSA amps are in a different league.
 
 

Yes I've auditioned the Apache and I can only imagine how good a Dark Star can be. Musicman, may I know if you have auditioned a beta22 before and if you have, what do you think of it's abilities? Thanks!
 

 

[Blurpapa]

Quote:

Quote:

The Dark Star will run you $3495.   I considered it recently but went for the Liquid Fire instead.  The Apache will run $3K.    

Woah.. Has the LF reached you yet?

I think the next batch is due for delivery only in Feb 2012?
 
 

 

[WarriorAnt]

Quote:

Woah.. Has the LF reached you yet?

I'm in the que for the next production run which is near the end of February.
 

 

[WarriorAnt]

Quote:

Roger that WA. I will heed that. Partially because you have a lot of experience with the V200 and also because I agree that some manufacturers are using the "balanced" argument to charge a fat premium on their products. But the problem is, imaginary or real, I do hear a difference from balanced amps which are well put together.
 

The balanced or Single end issue is more about different types of design philosophies, design approach, and implementation of those designs than monetary gain.   Some designs seem to be split in that aprroach.  For instance the V200 has SE inputs and balanced inputs and unbalanced output.   The Red Wine audio Corvina has SE inputs and you can order a choice of SE or Balanced output.   
 

 

[Radio_head]

Quote:

Better be a different league.  I know my Zana Deux is in a different league than the v200 but is limited to high impedance HP's.  So i have the v200 for the lower impedance.  Zana will run you about two and a half thousand but out here lately i have seen a few come up for just over a thousand, which had previously been unheard of.

The chassis alone on the Dark Star and Apache costs more than the V200.
 

 

[qawsedrf]

I'm in the que for the next production run which is near the end of February.

Ah.. Looking forward to hear more from you about it then! I myself am contemplating between the Rudistor NX03 or the Violectric V200... Which unfortunately I couldn't get to audition the V200. But anyhow... Going OT here...

 

[musicman59]

Quote:

The Dark Star will run you $3495.   I considered it recently but went for the Liquid Fire instead.  The Apache will run $3K.    
 
 

True. I was fortunate to order one of the first 10 (actually probably mine was within the first 5) and got if for the special price of $2,995 and can't be happier. I used to have the Rudistor RP010B MkII and was replaced by the DS.
 
 

 

[musicman59]

Quote:

Yes I've auditioned the Apache and I can only imagine how good a Dark Star can be. Musicman, may I know if you have auditioned a beta22 before and if you have, what do you think of it's abilities? Thanks!
 

I have not had the chance to listen to a beta22 yet. I may have a chance in a month or so during our next Detroit Metro meet.
 

 

[Blurpapa]

Quote:

True. I was fortunate to order one of the first 10 (actually probably mine was within the first 5) and got if for the special price of $2,995 and can't be happier. I used to have the Rudistor RP010B MkII and was replaced by the DS.
 
 

I couldn't resist:
From the price of the RP010MkII's replacement, it seems that you downgraded your amp!