Anything SS sounds better than D'Agostino ?


I never heard his amps, but some writers say just that - nothing transistor sounds better.
What do you think ? 
I listened on youtube a few systems with D'Agostino amps and preamps and liked a lot what I heard.

inna

Showing 4 responses by jbrrp1

There is no one "best" ss or tube or whathaveyou amplifier.  You have to consider which "horse" you're riding on which "course".  IME DAG is certainly a worthy option among many.

I've been listening to a D'agostino S250 in my system for the last month, after using a Luxman M900u for a year.  The DAG does have some outstanding qualities that could match the certain speakers/systems/rooms/tastes just right.  It portrays a beautiful midrange that is simply mesmerizing - - fully fleshed out, 3D palpability.  It definitely comes from a "bass-weighted" voice, which works quite well with my TAD CR-1's, but may not with speakers that are already voiced a bit "richer".  Even with it's richer voice, the DAG digs deeply into the mix, delivering an enveloping musical experience.  On the right course, it's a great horse.
@inna  sorry for the delay in responding to your question about S250 versus M900u. I still own both amplifiers, and I have been so engaged with the D’Agostino in the system that I haven’t put the Luxman back in yet. I will, and it will be interesting to hear what I hear then.  My gut sense right now is that the D’Agostino will prevail for my speakers and system.  But it is not certain, as the Luxman is a great amp in its own right.
I will need to try the switch back to Luxman soon and see what I think.  I have implemented other upgrades in my system that have me mesmerized with the sound quality, and I might be ascribing too much of that to the D'Ag. 

I do like to listen to a new piece for weeks usually before feeling I have their measure (cannot understand the camp that is constantly switching stuff fast and proclaiming their findings - - I know I can't do that confidently).  Switching back to the Luxman in the new context will be interesting, because I really am smitten with the S250 in my system now.
@inna   So, I did get around to putting the Luxman M900u back into my system and listened to it for over a week.  In my system, the D'Agostino S250 was a very clear winner, as I feel I am hearing all of the detail that the Luxman was digging out of the music, but in a more musically coherent presentation.  I sold the Luxman last week and am sticking with the S250.  Again, I do think that this could well be a case of this particular "horse" riding well on my particular "course" (TAD CR-1's).

I have since added the HD preamp, and it really matches up to the glowing review in Stereophile.  The D'Ag stuff is "all that" to me.