In Pursuit of the very best amplifier (to my ears!) money can buy...

[andromedaaudio]

Also, a new brand from France, Apurna claims to be best thing since the sliced bread, however their only dealer who posts here on WBF does not reply , so you luck may vary....

All brands claim to be the best .
Either being SOTA or the best in their price class

 

[Mike Lavigne]

There were just a couple options left to consider....more to follow

Pat, it's hard to imagine a more entertaining thread topic for big amp/dynamic speaker fans. my hat is off to you for all the effort and passion to do it, and sharing it with us. your descriptions were very well presented. i'm excited to hear more, and also discussion of the finer points about each of these wonderful products as we go along. hope current and past owners of some of these amps can chime in too. on the one hand we want to wait to read your punchline here about the rest of the story. on the other hand we want to talk now about the amps you have already described. so indulge me i have a question.

from reading and re-reading your posts up to now, the leaders in no particular order are the 'early production unit' Soulution 717's, the Burmeister 159's, and the d'Agostino Relentless w/ARC pre.

i wonder if you were now to freshly hear the 717's and that 'event' never happened where you seemed to put it aside on the basis of 'fate rearing it's head', would it just based on sonics be a touch above those others, or in the pack? (of the amps so far listed).

asking for a friend.

 

[pk_LA]

Pat, it's hard to imagine a more entertaining thread topic for big amp/dynamic speaker fans. my hat is off to you for all the effort and passion to do it, and sharing it with us. your descriptions were very well presented. i'm excited to hear more, and also discussion of the finer points about each of these wonderful products as we go along. hope current and past owners of some of these amps can chime in too. on the one hand we want to wait to read your punchline here about the rest of the story. on the other hand we want to talk now about the amps you have already described. so indulge me i have a question.

from reading and re-reading your posts up to now, the leaders in no particular order are the 'early production unit' Soulution 717's, the Burmeister 159's, and the d'Agostino Relentless w/ARC pre.

i wonder if you were now to freshly hear the 717's and that 'event' never happened where you seemed to put it aside on the basis of 'fate rearing it's head', would it just based on sonics be a touch above those others, or in the pack? (of the amps so far listed).

asking for a friend.

I think the 717s + 727 would stand as the best I heard except the option I purchased.

The 717s had incredible bass control and definition. While the 159s had more 'thump', the 717s have resolution that is the best I have experienced.

The 717s mid-range was slightly warm but incredibly resolved. I have generally felt that you kind of need to pick your preference. You can get natural, warm and holographic mid-range or you can get resolution and speed across the range. The 717s literally did it all. Ron R referred to them as some of the best SS he has ever heard (coming from a tube diehard).

The upper frequencies were never harsh or metallic. Nor were they overly rolled-off.

As you know, I ended up with the latest Goldmund Telos 4800s. While they are better in all areas (with possible exception of bass resolution), they were also very, very costly.

 

[Mike Lavigne]

I think the 717s + 727 would stand as the best I heard except the option I purchased.

The 717s had incredible bass control and definition. While the 159s had more 'thump', the 717s have resolution that is the best I have experienced.

The 717s mid-range was slightly warm but incredibly resolved. I have generally felt that you kind of need to pick your preference. You can get natural, warm and holographic mid-range or you can get resolution and speed across the range. The 717s literally did it all. Ron R referred to them as some of the best SS he has ever heard (coming from a tube diehard).

The upper frequencies were never harsh or metallic. Nor were they overly rolled-off.

As you know, I ended up with the latest Goldmund Telos 4800s. While they are better in all areas (with possible exception of bass resolution), they were also very, very costly.

perfect, and that was how it seemed to me from what you wrote but not tied up with a bow like your above answer is. i realize it's one guy's opinion too, but someone who has now 'done the work' most us would have a very difficult time pulling off. thank you.

likely most here are not Telos 4800 candidates. i look forward to you expanding your comments on the new champ.