Favorite 300b amp

No, don't do this. Avantgardes sound very sterile with SS big power amps. Ask Jim Smith, he will confirm that. FYI, I am soon scheduled for a Airtight vs Audionote vs Avantgarde SS amps (already heard) shootout

The 225 is NOT a big power amp. Its 125wpc and very fast and not at all sterile.

You need that speed and authority to integrate well with the self powered bass module.

Ideally, a Metis 5 would be an excellent choice. As i said, if he is using a tube source, he would be golden.
 
The 225 is NOT a big power amp. Its 125wpc and very fast and not at all sterile.

Will be sterile with AG. Ideally low watt valve amps will beat it every day by a large margin on such speakers. Every horn I have heard with a high power SS amp sounded boring - boring being a harsh word, but can't think of an alternative
 
What you should also get is this Italian cheap amp called Tektron which is excellent and let's you roll various tubes like the Lampi, including the 300b. In fact, the same tubes roll on here, like 2A3, 45s, 300b, etc...so you could use some of the Lampi tubes in it and vice versa instead of having to buy a new set. This amp is a giant killer

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/tektron/tektron_2.html
 
Will be sterile with AV. Ideally low watt valve amps will beat it every day by a large margin on such speakers. Every horn I have heard with a high power SS amp sounded boring - boring being a harsh word, but can't think of an alternative
No, Bonzo.

My buddy in Boston struggled for well over 5 years with his Duos and 8wpc Audio-Tekne integrated 300b amp and BAT tube amps. He is a tube amp lover and our mutual buddy lent him a Job 225 and whammo...a home run. They both agreed vehemently that the Duos never sounded so good. He was at the point of selling the Duos and now wont part with them. I think he eventually got a Mimesis preamp with sweetcord to go with the 225 (which he says makes a big difference).

YMMV, but these guys were very excited and the AG rep agreed in principle. I cant speak for other horns and perhaps the new Duos are fundamantally different, but at least I have the spiel on this one. If its that important, i could see if my friend woul be willing to disccuss with you via email or telephone...
 
Anyone familiar with this amp?

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Ask Steve he had them.
 
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My Shindo 300b's are my favorite. Extremely quiet, spectacular sound, and dynamics.

Full disclosure, They are the only 300b I've owned... ;)
 

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Hi Mike,

To me the best 300B amps are made by Halgorythme in France. You get a sound similar to Kondo, but much cheaper because the amp is made on order by one person. And the guy is just a genius. No dealer, no importer....
You will find pics here : http://halgorythme.tumblr.com
One that may interest you is the system with the Avant Garde Trio. Bart listened to it I think.
I agree with the ones who said that Avant Garde needs tubes.
I am very interested by the Duo Mezzo.
I have the only 300B integrated he ever made. 50 kgs. Sounds like heaven on earth.
Here is Cedric Halgrin when he delivered my amp.
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I'm thinking about pairing them with a sweet little 300b amp. Air Tight 300b is the obvious choice given that I already have the Air Tight preamp, Phonostage and SUT.

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I think your original plan is the best scenerio in this case.
 
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