I currently use a pair of CJ Premiere 12 which I love. However I am looking to add an amp to my stable. I am considering Class D or some other variant but the amp must be fairly lightweight (30 lbs?) as I have had back surgeries and I would like it to run cool. NY summers are brutal with tube amps. I know there are quite a few brands out there but how to know which are good and which are posers? Theres NORD, Appolon, VTV, AGD, LSA, Merrill, Atmasphere, Rowland, NAD, Benchmark etc. I am not looking for squeaky clean scrubbed sound as you can tell from my CJ's. I would like150 watts (my DIY speakers are 88db) and I use a Rogue RP7 Pre. I'll consider and actually prefer preowned and my budget is $5k (flexible). Thanks for your advice...
considerations for new SS amp
- Thread starter jimbones
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Not on your list but worth considering is the Burson Timekeeper amplifiers. They produce 240 watts into 8 ohms in bridged mode. While my knowledge of them is limited, Burson appears to be a solid company with a good reputation for sound and solid non-digital amplifiers. I have always gotten good results combining a tube pre-for warmth and a strong SS Best for control and dynamics.
Best of luck with your search.
https://www.bursonaudio.com/products/timekeeper/
Best of luck with your search.
https://www.bursonaudio.com/products/timekeeper/
Based on your desired presentation, GaN based designs should be a good fit. On top of some of the brands you mention, Orchard and Underwood LSA also offer options at a lower price point.
Merrill is very neutral, about opposite of what you have now. Some of his discontinued monoblocks are a steal used. The new stuff is crazy expensive IMO.
I would recommend a listen to the Bel Canto, E1X stereo power amp. It runs about $6k new. I auditioned one and it was quite a departure from past BC amps I've heard. It was toward the warm side and nice to listen to. I think you might like it from reading your post. I actually had it in my own system. At the end of the day it didn't make me want to replace my current Levinson but I was really impressed, and, I hate to say this, especially being Class D. 250x2 into 8 ohms, about 18 lbs.
You'll have to check weight but ATI makes great amps. They aren't on most peoples radar. They do have a Class D series, two levels, either would meet your budget.
Atoll has a nice sounding stereo amp that retails around $4k and surprisingly good performance at that price
I really think that Bel Canto E1X is what you are looking for.
I would recommend a listen to the Bel Canto, E1X stereo power amp. It runs about $6k new. I auditioned one and it was quite a departure from past BC amps I've heard. It was toward the warm side and nice to listen to. I think you might like it from reading your post. I actually had it in my own system. At the end of the day it didn't make me want to replace my current Levinson but I was really impressed, and, I hate to say this, especially being Class D. 250x2 into 8 ohms, about 18 lbs.
You'll have to check weight but ATI makes great amps. They aren't on most peoples radar. They do have a Class D series, two levels, either would meet your budget.
Atoll has a nice sounding stereo amp that retails around $4k and surprisingly good performance at that price
I really think that Bel Canto E1X is what you are looking for.
Thanks so much for your response. Yes I gather that the Merrill might be a bit too much the other way. I listened to Peachtree Gan400- today. The rest of the guys system wasn't all the great so it was hard to judge. I seemed warm. certainly no glare at all. Didn't seem to have a lot of power for a 400 watt amp but he was driving Maggie 1.7i. I will certainly consider the E1X
Based on your observations I would shy away from digital, albeit Bel Canto with the Hypex Ncore modules is likely the best of the lot.The Benchmark amplifier would be my go to for neutrality, dynamics and control offered by the best Class AB SS amplifiers at an approachable price.
Hi, E1X is not easy to find on the used market but is at the top of my range. Just curious how the Peachtree Gan400 would compare. Also is there a big step between the BC Ref600m and the E1x performance wise??
I just looked them up they are 20K so they are over my budget. Thanks. I should also state that I prefer to do business with a US company and not a fly by night in case I need service in the future.
3 years ago I decided to move from tube to SS amplification for a number of reasons.
I bought (now or used) 6 amps and borrowed another 6 from dealers. These included amps from Mark Levinson, Sugden, Accuphase, Benchmark, Bakoon, Valvet, GamuT, Micromega, Quad, Lyngdorf, NAD and others. So Class A, AB and D. I had each at home for at least a week, powering my Avantgarde speakers. I wanted as good or better sound than I was getting from my SET amps, most recently from 845 monos.
I was expecting one of the Class A to seduce me, but surprise, surprise - in the end I chose the Class D NAD M32, later upgraded to the even better Purifi Eligentakt-based M33. Still very content with its sound quality and fantastic value.
Just as an FYI the Enelum is just above $6K. Steve Guttenberg has a video that mentions this but I believe the company is based in the USA. Amps may be assembled in Korea. There are plenty of others to choose from, especially used in that range. Good luck with the search.
Beau
Have you ever spoken with Jeff Fischel (owner of CJ now) about upgrading your CJ Premier 12s? He is super responsive and helpful. And CJ generally does upgrade older amps using latest designs from their current flagship range.
Your Premier 12s are fantastic amps...and I can think of no one better qualified to add further magic to your amps than CJ! CJ and Jeff in particular has done some truly wonderful things with CJ in the last 3 decades or so since the CJ Premier 12s. No, that probably wont help in the heat area...but boy, I can imagine for not much more money...you could have deliriously amazing magic...
Your Premier 12s are fantastic amps...and I can think of no one better qualified to add further magic to your amps than CJ! CJ and Jeff in particular has done some truly wonderful things with CJ in the last 3 decades or so since the CJ Premier 12s. No, that probably wont help in the heat area...but boy, I can imagine for not much more money...you could have deliriously amazing magic...
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listen if possible is a surprise for me. really good in the budget
I might be wrong but I do not believe a Class D amp is 'digital' if that is what you were implying. Rather it is referred to as a switching amplifier.
Given the Op's approval with regards to his pre-amp why not look at what Mark and the boys @ Rogue have to offer ?
I absolutely LOVE my Premiere 12's. I am looking for an additional amp especially for the summer that runs cool and is lightweight. I had surgeries so I cant lift heavy amps and the rook it too hot with tubes in the summer
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