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Gamut D200 vs Plinius SA102 class a vs. ab

The upgrade bug is chompin' on me!

I have the Plinius P8 and had the SA201 (missin' it!). The Dynaudio Confidence C1's I now have are more efficient than my of Contour 2.8's and it has my mind a-wanderin' and wonderin'.

The SA10x series amps have enough power for me now....has any compared these amps in class ab vs. the P8? I can't use the class a option very often because of heat issues.....

How about vs. the Gamut D200? I know it has the same amount of power as the P8, but it has always held my curiosity and I like what I read about it.

Thanks for your insights.

The rest of my system has been updated here on agon.
budburma
8 responses Add your response
cerrot's avatar
cerrot
1,700 posts
 
I have heard both the Gamut and the Plinius - I think into B&W 802 but can't say for sure (May have been 800's, just can't remember) and the Plinius sounded brighter, edgier. I actually thought it was harsh on CD with the Gamut being much smoother. The Gamut sounded great (it was my first time hearing a Gamut amp). Sources was a Brinkman TT and a Gamut CD player - that I remember cause it was the first time I had heard those as well and both impressed the heck out of me. Preamp was also a Gamut so that, I'm sure, was a factor.

Rembering back, the Brinkman/Gamut combo was pretty spectacular.
dob
577 posts
 
Hello,
Gamut is fantastic amplifier. One weakness is shy bass in some speakers. From that point of view Plinius SA-102 is better.

Neil Gader from The Absolute Sound (January 2008, Issue 178, p.104) compared much better Plinius 301 with Spectron Musician amp and found that both sounds about the same. Now, Spectron introduced Mk2, a few weeks ago, which is way better then Mk1 so if you like the sound of Plinius SA102 or Gamut you must investigate Spectron - tube amp with balls of class A solid state !

I, personally, prefer Spectron to even Plinius-Reference - but I am not a TAS reviewer

All The Best
Rafael
tomcy6's avatar
tomcy6
2,532 posts
 
Hi Bud,
Excuse me for butting into your thread, but would you mind telling us a little about the differences you noted between the P8 and the SA-201? Big difference in cost.

Thanks.
Tom
georgemg
69 posts
 
I had one gamut d200mk3, a good amplifier,I used it with sonus faber guarniere a fantastic combinatio, til I know it has sinergy with dynaudio too, but not with B&W I had a friend tht tried d200 stero than d200mono with B&W 801 and he was very disapointed, I did not listened plinius.
budburma OP
345 posts
 
Thanks for the input. A lot of Gamut fans! Any tried Gamut with Dynaudio? Can anyone compare the SA10x series in ab with the p8?
I like the synergy between Plinius and Dynaudio a lot. The warmth of the Plinius is mated well with the detailed Dynaudio.....
The 201 was more dynamic than the P8 and the midrange was particularly more fleshed out. It had more of a sense of ease and authority at the same time.
pdreher's avatar
pdreher
1,184 posts
 
Bud - I can't speak for the Gamut, but can tell you the SA-102 sounds better when operating in Class A vs. AB. If you have concerns with using the Plinius in Class A, go with a different amp that runs cooler.
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drubin
3,265 posts
 
I actually am running Dynaudio Confidence C1's with a Gamut D200 Mk3 and it is terrific. My only experience with Plinius has been a couple of their integrateds, but not with the Dynaudios. I did not care for them but I know that many people do.
budburma OP
345 posts
 
Thanks, Pdreher, that was my assumption and feeling. Also why I went with the P8.

And, thanks you Drubin as well. The preamp portion of the Plinius integrated is not very musical and generally weak in my experience. However, the amp section is great.

So, I will hold on to my P8, keep my eye out for a 201 (hen's teeth!) and I think I will try to pick up a Gamut and hear what I hear!

Thanks for all your help.....
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