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Best Solid State for Avalon Isis

I would appreciate informed comments regarding best solid-state synergy with Avalon Isis. I’m looking for an amp that will maintain absolute control of deep bass, while maintaining a rich and dynamic mid-range, and clarity without sacrificing musicality. It should be transparent, and allow a vast and layered soundstage to appear. Although the Isis appear relatively efficient (90db at 4ohm), the paired 13” woofers are going to need an amp with muscle.

Source is a Wadia 9 series. It runs direct. It does not need a pre-amp.

I listen to big, loud, congested orchestral music (ie. Mahler, Bruckner, Wagner). I like to hear all the detail, including the musician's technique and subtle alterations in tempo. Orchestral sections need to have mass. I want to feel the bass at low in addition to high volumes.

My room is 20 x 30 ft, and has plaster walls/ceiling with wood floors and padded area rugs. Tubes are not an option. Because of the room and source, I am not looking for an amp that is artificially fast or tipped toward the higher frequencies.

A company which is solvent, established, reliable, and with good customer support is important, with preference for an American manufacturer. I plan on trying to home demo some of these, but need advice on where to concentrate and expend my efforts.

These are some I'm considering, and additional suggestions are welcome:
Pass Labs XA200.5
Boulder 1050 Monoblocks
Halcro DM78
Spectral DMA 360
Edge NL Sig One
Hovland Stratos

Thank you,
Rob
rtn1

Showing 1 response by tuboo

tuboo
93 posts
 
there is a lot of misconception about 'pure class A'.
there are not much pure class A amps around. the old Pass Alephs were pure class A and they had not many watts.
most (almost all) amps are class AB.
it is all about bias. as an example if an amp has 600 watts into 8 ohm and the manufacturer claims 'pure class A' this amp should draw about 4 times 600 watt out of the wall. not very likely.
many tube amps manufaturers claim pure class A too.
you only have to look at the continuent current draw, ie if a tube amp draws say 400 watt continuely it will have about 100 watts pure class A. this is not an exact math figure.

i see another statement like 'this amp has big watts so it does bass well'. most of times this will work out, but i have experienced 50 watters which can put ashame any 1200 watter. watts never claim bass alone on amount of watts. its all in the powersupply..

Nelson Pass has a great article concerning pure class A at his website. check it out.
one of the heavy class A contenders are indeed the big Gryphons. boy they get HOT.
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