2. amps-preamps
  3. 1129169461

Playing with the idea of solid state amps

After many years of tube amps (mostly SET and OTL). I'm wanting a solid state amp to try again. Must be transparent. The amps I'm considering are Sim Audio W-5LE,Ayre V5XE,Blue Circle BC-8,McCormack DNA 500,and Pass Labs X250.5. May consider hybrids such as Monarchy Audio. Anybody with experience with the above mentioned amps or some other great amps your input will be much appreciated. My system is a Droplet player, Oskar Heil Kithara speakers,Modwright SE9 preamp. Thanks!
philefreak

Showing 2 responses by philefreak

philefreak OP
423 posts
 
Wow! Thanks for the many responses. My system is a little fat and soft so, I don't want an amp that is trying to be tubey. I'll keep my Joule and 300B for that. What I want is balls to the wall volume and ultra-revealing. The Pass X series just might be the trick. I know ealier in this journey I tried a pair of Clayton 100 Monos and loved them the best of any solid state I've tried. If I could get a pair of those,I'd swipe them up in a heart beat!
philefreak OP
423 posts
 
Bixby, Yes it's the speakers. The Droplet is a killer piece and so is the preamp behind it. My Joule Electra VZN 160s are also great. I just want some lean and transparent sound for a change up. Not that the Joules are not transparent, I just want a little solid state sound. I can always hook up the Joules or my 845 monos for some tube sweetness. I'm also an in home dealer and have dealt and listened to solely SET or OTL amps for the last 5 years. I'm wanting to change that a little.
More to discover