Tír Na HiFi

Adrian wrote:A colleague at work has just pulled the trigger on a pair of Brystons last Saturday, with a 17 year guarantee on them, rated at 1Kw of power. Not sure what the model is but got them off Audio-markt for about 12,000.

Might be an idea?

Haha, would this be a good time to admit that I'm addicted to checking audio-market? I mean, I literally check it before I go to bed and again when I wake up. Dear oh dear.

Anyway, 12k is miles and miles ahead of my budget (wouldn't that be nice!) but I was indeed wondering about Bryston. Back in the day I quite liked their no-fuss approach, and I was certainly convinced when I heard their stuff with PMC. Now, it has a reputation online for brightness, which I absolutely couldn't cope with (the Krell FPB300c had a touch of SS "glare" that I found a bit off-putting) but I'm not sure if that's reputation or reality. I could probably stretch to a 4B-SST or something like that, but I just don't know if I'm willing to make a leap without hearing it. It's on my radar though, definitely.

Ivor wrote:

Diapason wrote: new Arcam power amp

Ah no.

I know. I know.

Derek wrote: I recently had the pleasure of having my ears firmly pinned back, in a very good way, listening to a this amp in full flow.
All Meridian set-up CDP, PreAmp and the 559 Amp, glorious.
Real grip and power combined with the resolution and dynamic response we forumites love.

Very interesting. I don't think I've heard the high-end Meridian stuff with non-Meridian speakers. Hmmm!!

I have to say I ended up with big American amps with my focals. I liked the valve amps mid and treble but just ended up preferring the iron grip of the bigger SS amps. My dream would probably be something from BAT, but they rarely come up second hand over here. Dream SS amps would be Pass Labs class A or maybe Modwright...

If you want me to bring my 500 watt Cary mono blocks around, just let me know ;)

That big meridian was fantastic. oooodles of power and yet refined and controlled. All you could want.

Claus wrote:My dream would probably be something from BAT, but they rarely come up second hand over here. Dream SS amps would be Pass Labs class A or maybe Modwright...

Any particular models in mind there, Claus? I know these amps only by reputation, and I can never really tell what level I'd need to be at in their range. I see there's a BAT power amp just gone up on audio-markt and the seller is in Denmark. Maybe it's a sign!

The old problem of buying without listening is a killer, though.

Claus wrote:If you want me to bring my 500 watt Cary mono blocks around, just let me know ;)

Oooh! I'd completely forgotten you had those, they might be very interesting to listen to...

The BAT VK665 from Denmark looks the business, but at 14 grand, it certainly would be out of my league.

Haven't heard their amps, but owning the CD player, I am impressed with the build quality...

There's Pass Labs mono x600 from Germany as well... Should control most speakers ;)

Oh, I was looking at the cheaper end of the curve!!!

Claus brought over his Cary monoblocks a couple of nights ago and we had a very enjoyable session of listening. I was very impressed by them, they sounded big, powerful, open and with a good level of sparkle (often lacking in these bruiser amps, I think). I was hearing details I hadn't heard before, even crap recordings sounded "ok", they image well too, so all round I think they're damn fine amps. Thanks very much Claus for bringing them over, and for offering to let me keep them for a few days. If the nerdcave wasn't like an amp graveyard at the moment, I would have taken you up on that offer.

I also borrowed a vintage Krell KSA80 from Cloney's, and luckily Claus was there to help me take it out of the boot of the car and onto the rack at the end of our session. It's DEFINITELY a 2-man lift. I've only had half an hour of listening to it (so I haven't felt the legendary Krell Class A space-heating capability yet) but it's another damn fine amp. Phenomenal control, very even top-to-bottom, no glare, a real iron fist in velvet glove.

I've no idea what amp I'll end up with in the longer-term, but I'm certainly having fun for now. Interesting how they all bring something different to the table, they all have strengths and (to a much lesser extent) weaknesses. I haven't found the "perfect" amp yet, but I could be happy with many of them.

Always have to admire your neck Simon borrowing stuff from Cloneys:)
I reckon you have probably listened to any amp they have ever sold but still managed to exit without being required to use the till!

tony wrote:Always have to admire your neck Simon borrowing stuff from Cloneys:)
I reckon you have probably listened to any amp they have ever sold but still managed to exit without being required to use the till!

It's a standing joke now. One day I handed over some money for something or other, and I said to Noel "I'm actually PAYING for something today". He nearly fell down the stairs with the shock.

Si, I am in awe at your stamina and determination to get the sound you want in your music room. I would not do what you described so far, the idea of comparing amplifiers would drive me insane. I draw the line at two! Assuming both are "good", which suits my ideas on sound best? Any more than two and I give up. Looking forward to the next instalment.......