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Class A or AB Solid State Integrated Amp for Spendor D9's - Coming from Tubes

So I'm looking at getting a solid state Class A or AB integrated amp to go with my Spendor D9's and my Lumin T2. I strictly stream and do not have a turntable setup. I'm coming from my Line Magnetic 805ia which I love (will still keep it around but turn it on for those times where I want to listen to tube and not drain its life on watching TV) but I would still like to find a warmer/sweeter sound rather than a sterile, ultra-analytical sound. Some that I have considered include: 

  • Luxman 590AXII
  • Accuphase E800
  • Diablo 300
  • Boulder 866
I have not heard the Diablo or the Boulder in person because there aren't any dealers in the WA area but I hear great things. Any thoughts or help would be much appreciated! 

Thanks!
freesole
nquery
103 posts
 
From what I am reading it sounds incredible. Did you get the analog or all-in-one digital version? Would love to hear how it compares to the LM805ia. 
freesole OP
159 posts
 
I got the all-in-one digital one. Should arrive in the next week or two. I'm curious about that as well! 
freesole OP
159 posts
 
Scratch that, seems that Boulder doesn't want me to work with a dealer that isn't close to me. Even though that dealer that I was working with was giving me great customer service and advocated for the brand too. They lost a customer here. I think I will go for the Diablo 300 instead. 
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
freesole OP I would still like to find a warmer/sweeter sound

I think I will go for the Diablo 300 instead.
I would go the Diablo also, if anything they have that non fatiguing, slightly darker Class-A sound.

Here’s a great review.
https://www.whathifi.com/au/reviews/gryphon-diablo-300

A little excerpt from it, driving Wilson Alexia’s of all things, one of the worst speaker loads know to man.
"The Diablo 300, on the other hand, is expertly balanced to sound natural without undue highlighting or exaggeration. And all this is offered in a soundscape of massive dimensions both laterally and in the depth perspective."

Cheers George
ddafoe
236 posts
 
I have D9s with a Pass 250.8 and I think the pair sounds excellent together.   I find the Pass offers a bit of warmth that goes nice with the neutral-ish sound of the D9 and the soundstage depth the D9 throws with the Pass amp is very nice!

The 250.8 puts out ~25w class A and I've never got the bias meter to move with the D9s at the levels I listen to.   If you like the Pass house sound checkout the INT-25 or INT-60.   The XA25 really tempts me to try it with the D9, but I run all balanced and it is singled ended only.

I've also tried a Bryston 4B3 and Benchmark AHB2 with the D9s, and both were very good, with the AHB2 making me think for a short moment about selling the big Pass as it sounded excellent with the D9s, not as warm or as rounded as the Pass but incredibly clean (like removing a layer of grease from a window) with great bass control too.  I did not find the D9/AHB2 pair sounded bright or forward, just lots of very clean musical detail.   For me, the D9s just throw the most life like 3d image with the Pass compared to the other amps I've tried which is why I have kept the Pass amplifier after trying others.

The D9s are such an easy speaker to pair with different amps and get great sound; good choice on speakers! :)    Good luck, it shouldn't be hard to find a nice match...
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