Top Tier Amps

Audiophilehi said:
While I do agree that pride of ownership plays a part in someone’s opinion, my earlier post regarding my PSA BHK 300’s to be included in Tier 3 was my comparison with my McIntosh Mc452. My thought was since McIntosh was in tier 3 then PS Audio should be included as well. That and the BHK 300’s have gotten very good reviews in the audiophile publications. :D

Either way I’m happy with my BHK 300’s no matter what tier they are in. I would love the opportunity some day to here tier 1 and tier 2 amps.
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Agreed and that’s all that matters. I put them in 3 as you suggested.


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nicoff said:
Looking at images of the Tier I amps I am surprised how uninspired design many of them have. The Soulution, CH, Constellation, Goldmund, and the FM Acoustics, they all look like a big box with no distinctive or unique aesthetic feature. The D’Ag is a distinctive, but somebody went overboard with it.

If I’m going to spend big bucks for a Tier I amp, it better be good looking.
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I actually love the Soulution bauhausish simplicity... I would change the red screen for something softer though...

What brands are aesthetically pleasing for you?
 
Mike said:
Fair point. I think Rowland makes GORGEOUS gear. Esoteric too. The Pass is nice too.


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Jeff Rowland is indeed GORGEOUS! Esoteric, while interesting, has a spaceship quality to it that I am not super found of... Looks ridiculously well built and indestructible though! Pass Labs looks too butch and masculine for me but their INT25 is great looking with a modern vintage vibe that actually works! I would do more with the top plate though.
 
nicoff said:
Looking at images of the Tier I amps I am surprised how uninspired design many of them have. The Soulution, CH, Constellation, Goldmund, and the FM Acoustics, they all look like a big box with no distinctive or unique aesthetic feature. The D’Ag is a distinctive, but somebody went overboard with it.

If I’m going to spend big bucks for a Tier I amp, it better be good looking.
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De gustibus non est disputandum
 
One could argue that you need a Tier 5 since so many amps would simply fall into Tier 4 with no bottom (Tier 4 is then <=Tier 4). Maybe Tier 5 is better than HT but not as good as Tier 4 where many so called, "giant killers" are.

For example - I put Wells Audio into Class 4, solidly and maybe even Tier 3 for their Signature series. But where to put Parasound? Tier 4? Cambridge Audio, NAD, Tier 5?
 
sb6 said:
One could argue that you need a Tier 5 since so many amps would simply fall into Tier 4 with no bottom (Tier 4 is then <=Tier 4). Maybe Tier 5 is better than HT but not as good as Tier 4 where many so called, "giant killers" are.

For example - I put Wells Audio into Class 4, solidly and maybe even Tier 3 for their Signature series. But where to put Parasound? Tier 4? Cambridge Audio, NAD, Tier 5?
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I thought about that. Jolida and Emotiva in Tier 5.


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More from my amp search: TotalDAC amp, Symphonic Line Kraft, Burmester, Accustic Arts Audio, Vitus, Technical Brain Integrated - think they're all Tier 2.
 
Mike said:
I thought about that. Jolida and Emotiva in Tier 5.


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Yep, Jolida made me think of ASL (Antique Sound Labs). I had their big Hurricanes with 8: KT88s per mono block with PIO caps in maybe Tier 4.

I think most CNET reviewed stuff would be Tier 5.
 
Tidal Audio -thoughts? Tier 1? Seems appropriate....feedback usually rates it very highly at most large shows.
 
Have we included Dartzeel?
Surely Tier 1.

Performance wise I would see the big Symphonic Lines (Kraft, monos) high in tier 2 maybe even 1 (they have excellent driving ability, they are very stable, hi-bandwidth, and on the warmish side of neutral).
Looks are definitely 2 if not 3.
 
Mike said:
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Perhaps I should have said - who would buy MBL amps and not MBL speakers :woot:
 
Dizzie said:
WOW! Four pages and no mention of Aesthetix that I could find.
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That’s a good point. What’s your thoughts? I’m thinking Tier 3? The big monos are $20k?


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