Top Tier Amps

Randy Myers said:
I agree... PS Audio, in my view is over hyped decent gear. I do not believe it belongs on the list what so ever, but possibly tier 5. Then again, model versus brand....

PS Audio compares with "Luxman, Sim, Pass, Naim, Classe’, Bryston, Hegel, Accuphase, ARC, Ayre, Mcintosh," :S hmmm, not in my book...
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Randy...have you listened to the PS Audio BHK 300's? I previously owned a McIntosh MC452 and really loved the amp but I do favor The PSA 300's.

I trust Mikes opinions as I'm sure he has listened to just about all the amps listed. I haven't had the luxury to listen to any of the amps mentioned except the MC452 so I can't offer an opinion at all. I'm sure the same goes for most.
 
Accuphase is not tier 3 anyway you look at them and being mention in the same breath as PS audio or McIntosh is a joke. The ONLY reason they get so little love here and elsewhere, is the greed of the US Importer and that's a damn shame.
 
Audiophilehi said:
Randy...have you listened to the PS Audio BHK 300's? I previously owned a McIntosh MC452 and really loved the amp but I do favor The PSA 300's.

I trust Mikes opinions as I'm sure he has listened to just about all the amps listed. I haven't had the luxury to listen to any of the amps mentioned except the MC452 so I can't offer an opinion at all. I'm sure the same goes for most.
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I have not heard that particular model however I have owned multiple PS Audio amplifiers. I am not saying model for model, I am saying brand to brand... and this is where my opinion comes from (also I grew up in the shadow of McIntosh's factory in Binghamton so I admit my opinion is tainted) :D. I also prefer solid state amps to tube amps... (I have had several of both; ARC, Audio Mirror, Quicksilver, etc., for tubes) and I prefer to keep tubes in my pre-amp...
 
Gene said:
Accuphase is not tier 3 anyway you look at them and being mention in the same breath as PS audio or McIntosh is a joke. The ONLY reason they get so little love here and elsewhere, is the greed of the US Importer and that's a damn shame.
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That’s a fair comment about their perception. Gene, would you say Tier 2?


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Audiophilehi said:
Randy...have you listened to the PS Audio BHK 300's? I previously owned a McIntosh MC452 and really loved the amp but I do favor The PSA 300's.

I trust Mikes opinions as I'm sure he has listened to just about all the amps listed. I haven't had the luxury to listen to any of the amps mentioned except the MC452 so I can't offer an opinion at all. I'm sure the same goes for most.
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My only reservation about putting them in Tier 3, is I don’t know if generally they are respected in the same general sense as others in that category. I put them in 3, but I really feel they are 4. Quality control and wacky crazy business practices I think knock them down in the eyes of the general audio buying public.

As for my own experience with the BHK300’s, let’s just say they went out of my house with a bang.


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Mike said:
My only reservation about putting them in Tier 3, is I don’t know if generally they are respected in the same general sense as others in that category. I put them in 3, but I really feel they are 4. Quality control and wacky crazy business practices I think knock them down in the eyes of the general audio buying public.

As for my own experience with the BHK300’s, let’s just say they went out of my house with a bang.


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I would have to agree regarding PSA quality control but their customer service is outstanding.
 
Randy Myers said:
I agree... PS Audio, in my view is over hyped decent gear. I do believe possibly tier 4. Then again, model versus brand....

PS Audio compares with "Luxman, Sim, Pass, Naim, Classe’, Bryston, Hegel, Accuphase, ARC, Ayre, Mcintosh," :S hmmm, not in my book...
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Try and find a Vintage PS Audio 200CX ...
 
Mike said:
Quality control and wacky crazy business practices I think knock them down in the eyes of the general audio buying public.

As for my own experience with the BHK300’s, let’s just say they went out of my house with a bang.
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:D

I don't even want to relate the conversations I have had with EJ and Rick and their experiences building OEM for PS Audio.
 
Mike said:
That’s a fair comment about their perception. Gene, would you say Tier 2?


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In many respects, especially their second-to-none build quality, Accuphase is Tier 1 but to be honest,imo.. they are not the pick of the audio litter ,so to speak, so Tier 2 is appropriate.
 
Gene said:
Accuphase is not tier 3 anyway you look at them and being mention in the same breath as PS audio or McIntosh is a joke. The ONLY reason they get so little love here and elsewhere, is the greed of the US Importer and that's a damn shame.
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Is the US importer the owner of another audio forum?
 
Interesting to read all the feedback. IMO I would nail down the criteria as it will be quite challenging to get to a consensus, if that's part of the objective.

Again IMO, #1 criteria should be absolute sonic performance since ultimately, you're buying it for its sonic abilities.

Secondary priority criteria in no particular order I see as eye candy, brand strength, company longevity, breadth of product range, power output, sonic signature (deviation from neutral? - ultra warm to sterile), lust factor and price.
 
sb6 said:
Interesting to read all the feedback. IMO I would nail down the criteria as it will be quite challenging to get to a consensus, if that's part of the objective.

Again IMO, #1 criteria should be absolute sonic performance since ultimately, you're buying it for it's sonic abilities.

Secondary priority criteria in no particular order I see as eye candy, brand strength, company longevity, breadth of product range, power output, sonic signature (deviation from neutral? - ultra warm to sterile), lust factor and price.
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+1
the criterias went from general market perspective to price&performance to perception.
basicly you can place any amp to any tier.
 
u-sound said:
+1
the criterias went from general market perspective to price&performance to perception.
basicly you can place any amp to any tier.
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Performance is based on people’s biases. I want to discuss perceptions in the marketplace.


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Mike said:
Performance is based on people’s biases. I want to discuss perceptions in the marketplace.


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ok, thats good.
i mentioned it because in the middle of the threat you wrote it is about price&performance.
 
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