I have lathered about the new AVA 550EXR as being one beautiful, natural sounding amp. With a tube input stage this amp has magic and power in spades. Lifelike, fully resolved, beautiful midrange with all the power and clearity of the best SS. ($2099.00) At twice the price a must audition! good luck.
Power + a bit of warmth for $2K or less?
I need a high current amp for hungry speakers - close to 200 w into 8 ohms with near-doubling into 4 ohms. But would also like refinement, and a teeny bit of warmth. Used is what I am looking at.
Some candidates at the moment are: Bryston 4BST/SST, Aragon 8008MkII, and perhaps Spectron Musician II. This last one is a dark horse; not sure what to make of it. Does it do well into 4 ohms? Sure, the numbers are high, but it goes from 500 into 8 to 600 into 4, only a 20% increase...?
Any suggestions for other amps that fit the bill? Attractive looks certainly not a drawback either.
Some candidates at the moment are: Bryston 4BST/SST, Aragon 8008MkII, and perhaps Spectron Musician II. This last one is a dark horse; not sure what to make of it. Does it do well into 4 ohms? Sure, the numbers are high, but it goes from 500 into 8 to 600 into 4, only a 20% increase...?
Any suggestions for other amps that fit the bill? Attractive looks certainly not a drawback either.