Most Refined? Plinius 102 - Bryston 4B - Pass 250


I heard the Plinius 102 making very seductive music at the recent CES (pair with Harbeth 7 monitors).
I've been a tube guy most of my career but have been thinking about exploring fine SS.

The Bryston is reputed to be among the most quite and has price/warranty advantages.
The Pass is also well regarded.
Is there a clear choice in this group?
Is there something better (price a factor) I haven't heard?
The 47 Labs "Gaincard" mini also blew me away but has limited applications.
128x128dweller

Showing 1 response by dweller

Thanks for the responses gentelmen.

As for "which came first", I think the amplifier is AS important as the speaker for making good music. I don't think any speaker could sound good if the amp was passing junk forward.

What impressed me in the Harbeth room was a sense of precision coming from the monitor. A sense of absolute control that translates into a clearer sense of the event being recorded.

I've heard others say that tubes tend to homogenize the character of a system so everything you play feels the same.

My concern is that, while impressive in the short term, the SS effect may be fatiguing in long listening sessions.