Thread: Help me find a new SS amp

Its more power than you need but I would give the new Parasound JC1+ mono blocks a listen. It is supposed to sound better than the original JC1's which was a stereophile Class A+ amp for years. I haven't heard the JC1+ model but I did hear and almost bought the original JC1's but went the Pass route instead.

The JC+ is on here, Class A. Although a bit above the budget.

Hope all is good your way.

Originally Posted by Mechnutt

Its more power than you need but I would give the new Parasound JC1+ mono blocks a listen. It is supposed to sound better than the original JC1's which was a stereophile Class A+ amp for years. I haven't heard the JC1+ model but I did hear and almost bought the original JC1's but went the Pass route instead.

Originally Posted by KeithR

Hey guys, have a pair of Fyne F1-12s which are 96db/8ohm speakers (though probably measure a few dbs less if the F1-10 measurements online are correct).

I'm looking for a 50-100w SS amp. Have tried a FirstWatt SIT-3 (not enough headroom) and Pass XA25 (not my cup of tea) so far. I also heard them at Mike's before purchase on Pass X260.8 and Gryphon Essence - the Essence was great but above my budget.

Any ideas? I have a lot of amplifier flexibility.

Something else to consider might be a used or factory reconditioned XA .5 amp (30.5 or 60.5 monos); there is a sizable number of listeners who prefer the .5 series to the .8 in some applications

Originally Posted by mauidan

I haven't heard the 30.5 or 60.5, but I had the XA-200.5 monos in my system and wasn't impressed. The best big amps I've ever had in my system were the Technical Brain monos.

A big difference in price, though. Factory reconditioned, warrantied XA30.5 is under $4k, a pair of XA60.5 under $10k (or were, the last time they were listed at RenoHiFi). More, it's about amp/speaker matching; Jim Smith for one seems quite pleased with the Pass/Fyne combo

Originally Posted by atmasphere

You might look into the AGD Audion. I know it looks a bit odd- but the 'tube' is actually the container for the module and nothing more. This amp is low in overall THD but more importantly has a good distortion signature- so it comes off smooth and detailed without sounding 'dead'.

I love the look of these tiny Audion monos. At first you think they're valve powered, but in fact they're Gallium Nitride (not silicon) solid state. I just wish the UK importer didn't pile on the price so greedily. Rather typical of US-built stuff arriving on our shores - too much profit in the price. I accept that the US price excludes sales tax and ours includes 20% VAT, but still too costly. I'm sure they'd sound great powering my Avantgarde Duos.

thanks everyone for the ideas. i've decided to keep it simple and try the Dart 108, new Bakoon 23r or 43r (when released this fall), and the LTA Ultralinear+. In the end I'm feeling a simple amp to go with what really is just a large, 2-way speaker.

i'm still hesitant Class D, even though i've heard good things about Audion. just seems every 3 years there is a latest and greatest chip and then its gone.

Originally Posted by rbbert

I remember Keith's "history" as deciding by multiple (mostly at home) demos, but I could be mistaken...

Yes, amps are my hobby and I really try several in my system before making a decision. I've found they are quite different system to system vs other components (front end).

Originally Posted by KeithR

i'm still hesitant Class D, even though i've heard good things about Audion. just seems every 3 years there is a latest and greatest chip and then its gone.

That just means that Class D is the only technology where effort is being put to advance things. What's been new in Class A, AB or tube technology in the last decade? Buy the best Class D now if you think its sound matches or betters other technologies - as I do. If in 3 years' time an even better sounding Class D module comes along, you still have the earlier one in the knowledge that it still matches or beats everything else - apart from the new Class D. You've not lost out because of advances in technology any more than if you buy A or AB now and realise in 3 years time, the latest Cladd D sounds better.

Also Class D is essentially less costly than others in the first place.

Also check out NAIM products. Top notch gear.

Mike isn’t the Luxman 595 special edition would be perfect with Fyne speakers ? They go up to 95 watts


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Originally Posted by Paul

Mike isn’t the Luxman 595 special edition would be perfect with Fyne speakers ? They go up to 95 watts


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Sure is! But it’s difficult to find one since there is a limited production. That being said, we have I believe one left.


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integrateds don't work very well in my room with my rack off to the side - i wish they did a special edition low wattage amplifier