Seems like a split or close to it so far... would be interesting to get a number of responses.
Mechans, definitely agree with you re the philophical point of need. Of course, I was referring to whether one amp can do it all, or does one need (as Cain stated) more than one amp to cover the spectrum of music/mood/performance.
My position is with the single camp. Very happy with my Manley Stingray, which to me does it all. Is it the best? of course not, but within the confines of my home, system, budget, taste, it is all I could NEED (in that broader, audiophile sense) right now.
Personally, I cannot really conceive having two amps in one system. Two systems in two rooms, that's a different animal and not my topic. For a short while, while I was auditioning amps, I had two at the same time (I mean they came into audition about the same time, it wasn't one incoming/one outgoing type of thing). I was not too thrilled with switching cables and all and couldn't see doing that frequently or even occasionally. Seems if I spent the money for two amps with different strengths I could pool that money and get one amp that might combine all strengths using that combined budget. And actually I did end up doing that, come to think about it.
I have to admit also that my question was more hypothetical. That is, one may have different amps just for the fun of it, because one can afford to, because one's S.O. tolerates it, etc. But in the end, is there a true NEED?
This could be fun to post in the Critic's Asylum but not sure they would agree it belongs there. Most of those guys DO have multiple amps I believe.
Mechans, definitely agree with you re the philophical point of need. Of course, I was referring to whether one amp can do it all, or does one need (as Cain stated) more than one amp to cover the spectrum of music/mood/performance.
My position is with the single camp. Very happy with my Manley Stingray, which to me does it all. Is it the best? of course not, but within the confines of my home, system, budget, taste, it is all I could NEED (in that broader, audiophile sense) right now.
Personally, I cannot really conceive having two amps in one system. Two systems in two rooms, that's a different animal and not my topic. For a short while, while I was auditioning amps, I had two at the same time (I mean they came into audition about the same time, it wasn't one incoming/one outgoing type of thing). I was not too thrilled with switching cables and all and couldn't see doing that frequently or even occasionally. Seems if I spent the money for two amps with different strengths I could pool that money and get one amp that might combine all strengths using that combined budget. And actually I did end up doing that, come to think about it.
I have to admit also that my question was more hypothetical. That is, one may have different amps just for the fun of it, because one can afford to, because one's S.O. tolerates it, etc. But in the end, is there a true NEED?
This could be fun to post in the Critic's Asylum but not sure they would agree it belongs there. Most of those guys DO have multiple amps I believe.