Top 5 amplifiers for under $100K

**Alpinist** · January 25, 2019, 08:55 AM

What are your top five amplifiers for under $100K MSRP?

Thanks,
Ken

**Alpinist** · January 25, 2019, 09:27 AM

I’ll get the ball rolling. In alphabetical order:

1. Constellation Centaur II Monos
2. MSB M204
3. Nagra HD
4. Pass Labs XS-300
5. Soulution 711 Stereo

Honorable Mention: Vandersteen M7-HPA
(A specialty amplifier for Vandersteen 7 speakers)

**Mike** · January 25, 2019, 09:33 AM

1. VAC 450s IQ
2. Gryphon Colosseum
3. Constellation Centaur II Monos
4. Luxman M900u Monos
5. Viva Aurora Monos

...man, there’s too many to mention: Pass XS300, ARC REF 750’s, D’Ag 250/400. Any of these could be in the list above.

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**Kuoppis** · January 25, 2019, 11:09 AM

Not exactly my price point, hence taking it a notch down:
- Soulution 511
- Constellation Hercules II
- Nagra Classic amp

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**Mike** · January 25, 2019, 11:12 AM

Originally Posted by Kuoppis

Not exactly my price point, hence taking it a notch down:
- Soulution 511
- Constellation Hercules II
- Nagra Classic amp

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Hercules II?
Stereo?

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**Kuoppis** · January 25, 2019, 11:16 AM

Originally Posted by Mike

Hercules II?

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You’re right, sorry. Guess I meant to say Taurus

.

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**Mike** · January 25, 2019, 11:16 AM

Originally Posted by Kuoppis

You’re right, sorry. Guess I meant to say Taurus

.

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Hercules II Stereo is $95k, so you just snuck in! LOL. Yes, Taurus is awesome.

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**Kuoppis** · January 25, 2019, 11:18 AM

Originally Posted by Mike

Hercules II Stereo is $95k, so you just snuck in! LOL. Yes, Taurus is awesome.

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Yes, but I meant to take it a notch down a level.

=> moving from family starvation to occasional hunger level.

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**laynesaddiction** · January 25, 2019, 02:47 PM

In alphabetical order:

1. Boulder 2150 Monos
2. Constellation Centaur II Monos

3. Dan D'Agostino M400 Momentum Monos
4. darTZeel NHB-108 Dual Mono (Have not heard the Model 2s yet)
5. Jeff Rowland 925 Monos

**Randy Myers** · January 25, 2019, 04:50 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

1. VAC 450s IQ
2. Gryphon Colosseum
3. Constellation Centaur II Monos
4. Luxman M900u Monos
5. Viva Aurora Monos

...man, there’s too many to mention: Pass XS300, ARC REF 750’s, D’Ag 250/400. Any of these could be in the list above.

No 160M? I am disappointed with how much you loved them when they first came out

**Randy Myers** · January 25, 2019, 04:53 PM

Originally Posted by Alpinist

What are your top five amplifiers for under $100K MSRP?

Thanks,
Ken

Ken, $100k... really... how many people can have actually had the chance to listen to a $100k amp let alone five... (not counting shows which are not easy to really listen)... but how many people can actually truly afford a $100k amp

....

How about your favorite amps for under $10k ....

**IAmRael** · January 25, 2019, 05:46 PM

Originally Posted by Alpinist

What are your top five amplifiers for under $100K MSRP?

Thanks,
Ken

You think this is WBF?

**Alpinist** · January 25, 2019, 05:59 PM

Originally Posted by Randy Myers

Ken, $100k... really... how many people can have actually had the chance to listen to a $100k amp let alone five... (not counting shows which are not easy to really listen)... but how many people can actually truly afford a $100k amp

....

How about your favorite amps for under $10k ....

Start a thread, buddy!

Ken

**Alpinist** · January 25, 2019, 06:01 PM

Originally Posted by IAmRael

You think this is WBF?

Most people on WBF are here too!

Ken

**Randy Myers** · January 25, 2019, 06:03 PM

Originally Posted by Alpinist

Start a thread, buddy!

Ken

A lot more fun to hijack yours

**bart** · January 25, 2019, 06:13 PM

Some really fine amps posted here already.

I'll add MBL's mono blocks.

**asindc** · January 25, 2019, 06:14 PM

Originally Posted by Randy Myers

No 160M? I am disappointed with how much you loved them whentheyfirstcameout

You are disappointed that Mike loved them?

**Bobvin** · January 25, 2019, 06:17 PM

Definitely some rarefied air, amps at those lofty prices. While I'd love to hear them in a good system/room, I'd have to win the lottery to afford them. Thankfully, there are many options less expensive that deliver enough to satisfy my listening tastes.

Ken, why the $100K limit, I have to imagine above that there aren't too many more options?

**Randy Myers** · January 25, 2019, 06:19 PM

Originally Posted by asindc

You are disappointed that Mike loved them?

Hehe... no... disappointed that he did not include them in his list, especially with how much he loved them when they first came out

**KeithR** · January 25, 2019, 06:28 PM

Interesting question - but I'd go a different way from many here and avoid anything with a zillion transistors and tubes. Most of the amplifiers listed are simply to drive inefficient speakers vs actually being "better"

**asindc** · January 25, 2019, 06:34 PM

Originally Posted by Randy Myers

Hehe... no... disappointed that he did not include them in his list, especially with how much he loved them when they first came out

I knew what you meant, just joshing ya.

**mep** · January 25, 2019, 07:08 PM

Originally Posted by Alpinist

Most people on WBF are here too!

Ken

Mike already booted one of them off AS and thankfully the worst ones aren’t here.

**XV-1** · January 25, 2019, 07:11 PM

Originally Posted by Randy Myers

Ken, $100k... really... how many people can have actually had the chance to listen to a $100k amp let alone five... (not counting shows which are not easy to really listen)... but how many people can actually truly afford a $100k amp

....

How about your favorite amps for under $10k ....

pfff. I am waiting for the best 5 amps for under 200K!!

**Randy Myers** · January 25, 2019, 07:49 PM

Originally Posted by KeithR

Interesting question - but I'd go a different way from many here and avoid anything with a zillion transistors and tubes. Most of the amplifiers listed are simply to drive inefficient speakers vs actually being "better"

Being that I recently got into SET I think this is an interesting point. I think I agree with you. I have a much lower level SET but they probably would be a top contender for under $10k. A top notch SET amps like the one that one of our forum members recently bought would definitely be on the list!

**Mike** · January 25, 2019, 10:41 PM

Originally Posted by Randy Myers

No 160M? I am disappointed with how much you loved them when they first came out

Sorry for the late reply. Just catching up. The 160M’s are superb amps - especially in Triode mode, as are the REF250SE’s. But I’ve heard those ARC 750SE’s (as I put in my list above) make even the crummiest speakers sound good. Without naming names, I had given up on one particular speaker, until I heard the ARC REF750SE’s just own them and transform them into world beaters.

**Mike** · January 25, 2019, 10:43 PM

Originally Posted by KeithR

Interesting question - but I'd go a different way from many here and avoid anything with a zillion transistors and tubes. Most of the amplifiers listed are simply to drive inefficient speakers vs actually being "better"

True, true. I included the Viva for this reason.

**BlueFox** · January 25, 2019, 11:32 PM

Good question. Not! I am enjoying my cheapo Pass amps enough to not even think of upgrading amps.

**Ritmo** · January 26, 2019, 07:52 AM

Adding a few additional (to the many worthwhile amps already listed) contenders:
- CH Precision M1.1
- Pass XS300

**Alpinist** · January 26, 2019, 08:54 AM

Originally Posted by Ritmo

Adding a few additional (to the many worthwhile amps already listed) contenders:
- CH Precision M1.1
- Pass XS300

Excellent choices Mike. I believe the M1.1’s have an MSRP of $108K though.

Ken

**Randy Myers** · January 26, 2019, 09:37 AM

Originally Posted by BlueFox

Good question. Not! I am enjoying my cheapo Pass amps enough to not even think of upgrading amps.

Cheapo Pass amps...

**Alpinist** · January 26, 2019, 09:40 AM

Are the CH Precision M1.1 Monoblocks bridged amplifiers?

Ken

**Dguitarnut** · January 26, 2019, 10:24 AM

Originally Posted by Randy Myers

Cheapo Pass amps...

Maybe we should start a Go-fund me page for poor guy

**bonzo** · January 26, 2019, 10:28 AM

Depending on your speaker strategy, you might not need high cost amps. I feel for low sensitivity tough load speakers, where you require these big SS amps, more money is required. While there will be expensive amps one doesn't like, invariably the best amps will also be expensive.

But on high efficiency easy to drive speakers, the low powered triodes are not required to be expensive. While one can always shell out for Kondo (which I don't like anyway), there are many low priced amps that are high quality. For example, Thomas Mayer's 1w amp is much cheaper and sounds better than his own 211 amp on the pnoe. This is true in many other cases. Airtight 300b or NAF 2a3 integrated sound great on devore orangutans. As do OTL where OTL work.

So below 100k is a bit misleading. Might make sense to rate top 3 SS amps under 100k and top 3 amps otherwise.

My list is tenor 75 OTL, Thomas Mayer 46 valve 1w amp, Berning quadrature. For SS, between dagostino momentum, Vitus masterpiece, and boulder 2160, depending on speaker and preference, all cost less than 100k. Never heard technical brain or balabo.

CH and gryphon mephisto should also be considered.

**Mike** · January 26, 2019, 10:29 AM

Originally Posted by Dguitarnut

Maybe we should start a Go-fund me page for poor guy

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**Mike** · January 26, 2019, 10:29 AM

Originally Posted by bonzo

Depending on your speaker strategy, you might not need high cost amps. I feel for low sensitivity tough load speakers, where you require these big SS amps, more money is required. While there will be expensive amps one doesn't like, invariably the best amps will also be expensive.

But on high efficiency easy to drive speakers, the low powered triodes are not required to be expensive. While one can always shell out for Kondo (which I don't like anyway), there are many low priced amps that are high quality. For example, Thomas Mayer's 1w amp is much cheaper and sounds better than his own 211 amp on the pnoe. This is true in many other cases. Airtight 300b or NAF 2a3 integrated sound great on devore orangutans. As do OTL where OTL work.

So below 100k is a bit misleading. Might make sense to rate top 3 SS amps under 100k and top 3 amps otherwise.

My list is tenor 75 OTL, Thomas Mayer 46 valve 1w amp, Berning quadrature. For SS, between dagostino momentum, Vitus masterpiece, and boulder 2160, depending on speaker and preference, all cost less than 100k. Never heard technical brain or balabo.

CH and gryphon mephisto should also be considered.

Bonzo - what system do you have? I don’t see it in your signature.

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**bonzo** · January 26, 2019, 10:34 AM

Originally Posted by Mike

Bonzo - what system do you have? I don’t see it in your signature.

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Don't have one. I will get one only after brexit, as we cannot sell off current property till then in London without massive loss. But devore orangutan are the first on the compromise list if I cannot fit in big horns

Martin Logan summits and verity leonore before

**Mordante** · January 26, 2019, 09:29 PM

Zanden 9600mkii
Octave Jubilee SE
EMMlabs MTRX2 might just be above the 100k. Not sure
Halcro DM68 mono or was it the 88 not sure anymore. Incredible fast and detailed
Luxman M900 mono

as far as I can remember.

**Alpinist** · January 26, 2019, 09:46 PM

Originally Posted by Mordante

Zanden 9600mkii
Octave Jubilee SE
EMMlabs MTRX2 might just be above the 100k. Not sure
Halcro DM68 mono or was it the 88 not sure anymore. Incredible fast and detailed
Luxman M900 mono

as far as I can remember.

My friend has the big EMM monoblocks and they’re insanely good.

Ken

**Alpinist** · January 27, 2019, 03:23 AM

Originally Posted by Bobvin

Definitely some rarefied air, amps at those lofty prices. While I'd love to hear them in a good system/room, I'd have to win the lottery to afford them. Thankfully, there are many options less expensive that deliver enough to satisfy my listening tastes.

Ken, why the $100K limit, I have to imagine above that there aren't too many more options?

Hi Bob,

I didn’t want to exclude some really fine monoblocks like the Nagra HD, Constellation Centaur II or Pass XS-300 from my list of favorite amps. Unfortunately, monoblocks like the Dartzeel NHB-468, CH Precision M1.1, Soulution 701 and D’Agostino Relentless are over the limit.

Best,
Ken

**bonzo** · January 27, 2019, 03:28 AM

Originally Posted by Mordante

Zanden 9600mkii
Octave Jubilee SE
EMMlabs MTRX2 might just be above the 100k. Not sure
Halcro DM68 mono or was it the 88 not sure anymore. Incredible fast and detailed
Luxman M900 mono

as far as I can remember.

I like Luxman as a high value amplifier. It takes a lot of money to beat it on SS side

**CPP** · January 27, 2019, 10:18 AM

Originally Posted by Dguitarnut

Maybe we should start a Go-fund me page for poor guy

Please add me to that Go-Fund me

**hifinutt** · January 28, 2019, 05:49 AM

msb s500 ??

**matt_zak** · January 28, 2019, 07:05 AM

Companies that make great amps under 100k that I've heard over the years:

Gryphon
MBL
Burmester
BAT
Mcintosh

Honorable mention:
TRL
Bryston
Audio Research
Edit: Forgot Convergent Audio Technology

**a.wayne** · January 28, 2019, 09:31 AM

Originally Posted by bonzo

Depending on your speaker strategy, you might not need high cost amps. I feel for low sensitivity tough load speakers, where you require these big SS amps, more money is required. While there will be expensive amps one doesn't like, invariably the best amps will also be expensive.

But on high efficiency easy to drive speakers, the low powered triodes are not required to be expensive. While one can always shell out for Kondo (which I don't like anyway), there are many low priced amps that are high quality. For example, Thomas Mayer's 1w amp is much cheaper and sounds better than his own 211 amp on the pnoe. This is true in many other cases. Airtight 300b or NAF 2a3 integrated sound great on devore orangutans. As do OTL where OTL work.

So below 100k is a bit misleading. Might make sense to rate top 3 SS amps under 100k and top 3 amps otherwise.

My list is tenor 75 OTL, Thomas Mayer 46 valve 1w amp, Berning quadrature. For SS, between dagostino momentum, Vitus masterpiece, and boulder 2160, depending on speaker and preference, all cost less than 100k. Never heard technical brain or balabo.

CH and gryphon mephisto should also be considered.

Where does CH fits in ..??

**a.wayne** · January 28, 2019, 09:34 AM

Originally Posted by bonzo

Don't have one. I will get one only after brexit, as we cannot sell off current property till then in London without massive loss. But devore orangutan are the first on the compromise list if I cannot fit in big horns

Martin Logan summits and verity leonore before

Devore with toobs , not SS ....

**Alpinist** · January 28, 2019, 09:53 AM

Does anyone have any thoughts on monoblock amps that are bridged stereo amps versus monoblock amps that are built from the ground up as mono amps? Are there any disadvantages to monoblocks that are bridged stereo amps such as stability into low impedance loads?

Thanks,
Ken

**a.wayne** · January 28, 2019, 09:59 AM

Simply ,

Bridging eliminates low Z load drive , typically halfing low z stereo operation... a purpose built mono bloc equivalent to a bridged stereo is better In driving low Z loads if purpose built for low Z operation ..

regards

**a.wayne** · January 28, 2019, 10:03 AM

Bridging is best when you want to increase 8 ohm power output ...

**Boggy** · January 28, 2019, 10:36 AM

Heard this amplifier. Really Good - Vitus Audio - MP-S201

**SuperDave** · January 28, 2019, 02:33 PM

1. Nagra HD amp - I stopped looking, everything I want for music and HT.
2. Dag M400 - I like them but have only heard them with Wilson in multiple rooms.
3. Nagra Classic - Very good IMO but not HD.
4. Ayre MXR-20 - I added these because I've heard them enough to like them but would't buy them.

5. Gryphon - I haven't heard the Colosseum or Mephisto but they're on my wishlist.

I need SS power for HT, but I would like to try a SET amp in the future in a more dedicated room.

Dave

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