Tubelike solid state: Ayre Vs Aleph

I've actually tried the wolcott 220Ms with my old magnepans. By a big ol mile the best amp I've heard with magnepans. I didn't try them with a dynamic speaker, but my friend who loaned these to me said they didn't really do it for his wilson's. I'm interested in experimenting with new solid state amps for now. Been through a couple tube amps in the last year.

onhwy61, I completely agree. I've really never heard anything like the pass labs amps for their low level detail. The closest thing sonically is my 10 watt SET tube amp. The clarity and presence are even more pronounced with the modified scd-1. Because of their bass slam, I am probably not going to try an aleph 1.2. I would guess they are not going to give me the low end I'm looking for. Also, I don't think I want new heaters with twice the output of my current ones !

What interests me about the Ayre amp is that it too has only 2 gain stages. The k1x pre is also reputed to have one of the best phono stages anywhere.

Has anyone out there tried the Edge NL10 amp monster amp ?

I had an Ayre V-3 for 4 years and replaced it with - IMHO - the best valued amp around.......a David Berning ZH-270.

At the same cost as an Ayre, and at only 70 watts and 10 lbs, the Berning plays louder, has MUCH better bass and delivers music like I always envisioned.

Forget "Tubelike solid state"......get a tube amp with bass and balls.

I would listen to a BAT VK-500. It added the appropriate low end energy without sacrificing the beautiful mids and highs in my system. Like the Ayre, it is a two gain stage, zero negative feedback power amp. Quite a bit cheaper than the Pass gear too.

-Karl

I'm loving my Pass Labs Aleph 4 (same as the 2's but in the dual monaural format). I added a great subwoofer and love the combination. I heartily recommend that approach.

try the aleph 1.2--sweet midrange and trebble, imaging to die for and good ,not great bass thru my b&w 802's. power cords make a world of difference. i was spoiled by the bass of my old krell with these speakers[aleph's just don't have that tight slam like krell]. i enjoy rockn' roll, acoustic jazz and r&b with these speakers and the aleph's.
the aleph's are tops w/ acoustic music, human voices, chamber music and large scale classical and opera! a very good compromise for my taste. used alephs are priced right. i have not tried the ayre items. i can't listen to the krell, except for that super bass slam, nothing else particularlly work very well. BOB-my opinions on my system.