2. amps-preamps
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SST Son of Ampzilla II/Thoebe II

Years ago I had A Sumo Polaris amp and Athena Preamp which I eventually sold to have a single do it all HT system and 2 ch stereo listening. HT has these days taken avery distant back seat and I am now considering returning to the 2 ch dedicated world. One thought is to buy and have restored some older Sumo equipment (Andromeda and Athena) but I then ran across SST and James Bongiorno. Any experiences with the Son of Ampzilla and Thoebe II products would be appreciated. Neither are locally available for me to audition.
jdavis37

Showing 3 responses by don_c55

don_c55
1,025 posts
 
They were designed after James Bongiorno died.

The only SST Bongiorno designs in production now are the Apmzilla 2000 Mono Blocks and Ambrosia preamp.

I own the SST Son of Ampzilla 2000 power amp, his last, which is very good IMO.

SST is owned by Cullen Circuits - Wyred for Sound.
don_c55
1,025 posts
 
I read the 6 Moons review, and the opinion is that the SOA II is colder than the Pass XA30.8.

I have owned the original GAS Son of Ampzilla and like the SOA 2000 was warm, smooth and "tube like".

I also owned the Pass Labs XA30.5 which was very warm and tube like sounding.

I would move on to another brand, the design was screwed up IMO.
don_c55
1,025 posts
 
Both the 225 and Pass xa.8 series are colder (more neutral) than the SOA 2000 and Pass AX,5 that I own.

If the SOA II is like the 225 and Pass Xa,8 it is colder!

They should have compared the SOA II to the Pass XA30.5 that they also reviewed.

Also this is a matter of taste and YMMV.
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