1. Home
  2. amps-preamps
  3. 169268-165215

100W+ solid-state amps known for beautiful mids

Quad 909 back in the day had a reputation for the best mids running up to $5000. I've used it in the past and I would definitely say that the mids were the highlight on that amp. It wasn't overly coloured, a hint of warmth, but it had a purity and sweetness to its mids. Unfortunately, mostly everything else was okay at best, kind of rolled off at both ends and congested stage-wise.

I'm looking for that same purity and sweetness without sacrificing the rest of the sonic traits. What have been your guys' contenders for 100W+ solid state power amps with the best mids?
hedonism
birdfan's avatar
birdfan
178 posts
 
While I have never owned one, the LFD amps, while expensive, I think are a true value and produce everything you are talking about. I have listened to a couple of different versions of these amps with different power ratings but all had that certain something in the mids and highs. 
klh007
624 posts
 
I'll add the DVA 225 monos from Frank at AVA, superb. I also second Lancelock's pick, CODA.
alucard19
389 posts
 

@ millercarbon
+1 McCormack DNA, or Benchmark AHB2.
peguinpower
59 posts
 
The Pass Labs X150.8 has beautiful mids. I sold an Audio Research VT80SE as it was almost a wash, with SS not needing new tubes every two years. I have pretty flat impedance speakers. I wouldnt match either with anything with wild swings. Theyre not their best in those situations. 

i had the Modwright KWA 100SE it was pretty good with the mids and had an amazing bass character. I wouldnt say its as sweet as the Pass but it did orher things which endeared it to me. It was also half the weight of the Pass amp.





dynamiclinearity
363 posts
 
I smiled at the recommendation of the Yamaha VFET amp since a VFET is a solid state triode device.

On another thought I'd worry about an amp that is always sweet since that implies it's colored significantly. The amount of sweetness should vary with the source. 
More to discover