Help me find a new SS amp

I just found out some interesting news. I think it has become known that T+A has finally discontinued their Series 8 line. Wonderful pieces... the DAC 8 DSD is fantastic and several members on this forum use it. It remains on Stereophile's A+ list! The little matching amplifier was only 80 WPC but it is a sweat sounding amplifier.

The brand new series, carrying on with their headphone amplifier released a while back is the 200 series. So what does this have to do with this thread.... well the new 200 series amplifier is using the Purifi amplifier. T+A using it is one hell of an endorsement!!!
 
Randy Myers said:
I just found out some interesting news. I think it has become known that T+A has finally discontinued their Series 8 line. Wonderful pieces... the DAC 8 DSD is fantastic and several members on this forum use it. It remains on Stereophile's A+ list! The little matching amplifier was only 80 WPC but it is a sweat sounding amplifier.

The brand new series, carrying on with their headphone amplifier releases a while back is the 200 series. So what does this have to do with this thread.... well the new 200 series amplifier is using the Purifi amplifier. T+A using it is one hell of an endorsement!!!
Click to expand...

It’s class D right?

It likely was related to economies of scale. Lots of OTS Class D boards available. Cheaper than building your own. Smart and not uncommon.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
Yes, Purifi is the new Class D that has been discussed in this thread. NAD M33, M28, and C298 use it. It seemed like most others releasing it are from lesser known companies and DIY types, but T+A endorsement is pretty huge in my eyes.
 
Randy Myers said:
Yes, Purifi is the new Class D that has been discussed in this thread. NAD M33, M28, and C298 use it. It seemed like most others releasing it are from lesser known companies and DIY types, but T+A endorsement is pretty huge in my eyes.
Click to expand...

That's good news. I can't find any pricing information, although I have no immediate intention to switch from the NAD's Master Series. Looking at the new T&A 200 range, my immediate impression is too many boxes and too much fussiness in the front panels.

The Purifi-based A200 amp is just a power amp so needs the DAC200 DAC/preamp, but does this unit include a streamer? No, seems to be the answer, so a third box is needed to match the versatility of the M33 - and a bundle of those things on my Hate List - cables. And still no MM/MC input, or headphone out, or DSP. OK, settled - I'll keep the M33 until someone comes up with a single box of even higher sound quality. A long wait I suspect! Peter
 
Hear Here said:
That's good news. I can't find any pricing information, although I have no immediate intention to switch from the NAD's Mater Series. Looking at the new T&A 200 range, my immediate impression is too many boxes and too much untidiness in the front panels.

The Purifi-based A200 amp is just a power amp so needs the DAC200 DAC/preamp, but does this unit include a streamer? No, seems to be the answer, so a third box is needed to match the versatility of the M33 - and a bundle of those things on my Hate List - cables. And still no MM/MC input, or headphone out, or DSP. OK, settled - keep the M33 until someone comes up with a single box of even higher sound quality. A long wait I suspect! Peter
Click to expand...

Totally agree. I only mentioned it because it shows an endorsement of the technology from a big time high end German manufacture! The Series 200 is certainly not a direct competition to the M33. A completely different design criteria, but at least showing support for this amplifier technology!

The T+A A 200 is more comparable to the NAD C298 is direct feature comparison.
 
Mr Peabody said:
I'm assuming from your post you are shopping around $5k budget give or take. It's a shame most of the well known amps start around $10k.

If I'm correct on your budget Sim Audio and Bryston are in that range with models and are more neutral than Pass.

You could look at something like Audio by Van Alstine. His amps do sound good, IMO, able to convey music without being overly warm or neutral.

Merrill Audio typically have used/trade-ins Veritas for sale on USAudioMart for around $4k, the monoblocks were $12k new.
Click to expand...


Great recommendations. I'll add Naim to the list. Especially the Supernait 3. Naim makes outstanding components.
 
Audiophiles don’t want light weight small power amplifiers even if they sound phenomenal. Your audiophile clout can only be had with large heavy solid aluminum carved masterpieces. As Mike says it is brand recognition.
I can attest the Purifi amps are definitely above the previous Ncore wave. Must be something to them if NAD and T&A are adopting them, surely more to follow.

Amplifier selection cannot be made by forum consensus only by borrowing and listening in your system to see if they create synergy. Just my two cents worth
 
nc42acc said:
Audiophiles don’t want light weight small power amplifiers even if they sound phenomenal.
Click to expand...

More fool them!

nc42acc said:
Amplifier selection cannot be made by forum consensus only by borrowing and listening in your system to see if they create synergy. Just my two cents worth
Click to expand...

Couldn't agree more. Forget what technology is employed - Class A or AB or D, tubes or ss - just listen to the sound and judge for yourself.. Choose the amp that offers the biggest enjoyment factor, not the size or beauty of the box, although the latter is influential to most of us.
 
We need to get Keith’s thread back on track so he will post about his adventure looking for a new power amp. It is always great to read others opinions of equipment as they test them within their system. Sorry Keith for the derailment.
 
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.

Mechnutt said:
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.
Click to expand...
 
Hope Keith has found something he likes, if not here three amps that I've owned that are worth a listen:


New
ModWight KWA 100SE
Aesthetix Atlas Signature

Used
Spectral DMA 80, 90 or 100
 
KeithR said:
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.
Click to expand...

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
 
rbbert said:
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
Click to expand...

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.
 
mauidan said:
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.
Click to expand...

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
 
KeithR said:
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.
Click to expand...

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'.
 
atmasphere said:
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'.
Click to expand...

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.
 
rbbert said:
I remember Keith's "history" as deciding by multiple (mostly at home) demos, but I could be mistaken...
Click to expand...

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).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top