AndrewM Posted July 1, 2015 Posted July 1, 2015 Hi I was wondering if anyone has heard or could recommend any modern 2 channel (not too expensive) amps that have a warm valve like sound, like a lot of people say the 70's Sansui amps have. I currently have a small Eric McChanson amp and love the sound with that, but are curious if there is anything non-tube that has that kind of rich sound. cheers Andy
Cafad Posted July 1, 2015 Posted July 1, 2015 There certainly is Andy, try an Exposure 2010 or 3010 series. I wouldn't call them quite as warm as the Sansui's but they are certainly close. The Rega Brio R is a very warm sounding performer as well. The Cambridge 800 (I heard the 840A2) series is also nicely warm. None of those will break the bank. The only one that really sounds 'tubey' to me is the Exposure 2010 but the rest I would certainly describe as warm sounding. 2
Happy Posted July 1, 2015 Posted July 1, 2015 And there's Redgum... Sent from my X10a using Tapatalk 2
Guest Muon Posted July 1, 2015 Posted July 1, 2015 (edited) Isn't one of the Naska amps like this? The 80? Edited July 1, 2015 by ortofun
rantan Posted July 2, 2015 Posted July 2, 2015 I am personally not a fan, but Arcam are well regarded as being warm, smooth and approachable. Ditto Marantz. 2
legselevens Posted July 2, 2015 Posted July 2, 2015 There's an Exposure amp in the classifieds http://www.stereo.net.au/forums/index.php?/topic/85072-fs-exposure-3010s2-stereo-power-amplifier/ 1
oceangreen17 Posted July 2, 2015 Posted July 2, 2015 (edited) Hi @AndrewM There are already some great recommendations here A few SS amps I have heard or owned in the last couple of years that I would describe as being a bit tube like in their presentation and that might still fit your budget - Naska 80 (already mentioned), Gainclone (super cheap bang for buck on easy loads), Valvet monos (second hand under $1000), First Watt F3 or F4 (secondhand DIY clones) In the more expensive second hand range - Bakoon 11R, Sugden A21 Series, and JOB 225 These would all be worth a listen Steve Edited July 4, 2015 by oceangreen17 1
legselevens Posted July 2, 2015 Posted July 2, 2015 Are your speakers easy to drive? Amber amps I've heard might be of interest. Audiophile in Fitzroy...actually not sure they're trading while they re locate so best check website. 1
blybo Posted July 2, 2015 Posted July 2, 2015 Peachtree Nova 125 is worth adding to the list. I own an Arcam FMJ A28 and find it much more neutral/detailed than the Peachtree. 1
agisthos Posted July 2, 2015 Posted July 2, 2015 I'm no expert, but the Marantz integrated amps have a warm sound but with good detail --- you could call it great 'tone'. I had the PM7003 and it was a fantastic amp. The latest model is the PM7005, no doubt it has the same sort of sound. 1
Guest Sime Posted July 2, 2015 Posted July 2, 2015 (edited) I actually don't know if my pre-power combo is warm or not. I supposed I'd need someone to say, yep, in my experience, that warm/cold. I've never used temps to describe sound. Edited July 2, 2015 by Sime
oceangreen17 Posted July 5, 2015 Posted July 5, 2015 @@AndrewM Link: http://www.stereo.net.au/forums/index.php?/topic/85257-fs-first-watt-f5-clone-canberra-relist/ The First Watt F5 is also a 'warm' sounding Class A SS amp. This is a real bargain and fits the kind of amp you are looking for Just a thought! Steve 2
thoglette Posted July 6, 2015 Posted July 6, 2015 I'll throw in the JLH and, on a good day*, the silicon chip Class A amp. *depends on which bit of "tube sound" you're talking about. Lack of odd order harmonics; well behaved clipping behaviour or no misbehaviour at 0V output.
oceangreen17 Posted July 6, 2015 Posted July 6, 2015 (edited) @@henry218 Yes you are absolutely right - I should have prefaced that as being slightly tube like rather than using a term like 'warm' However, as the OP, Andy, had used the phrase 'warm tube like sound' I was suggesting SS offerings that might be considered a little different in their sound Both the F5 and JOB 225 could more accurately be described as neutral, but they have a lit up and agile quality that is quite similar to one of my 6V6 SEP amps The point really was to encourage the OP to audition and research a range of secondhand SS models that could be (vaguely and subjectively) described has having a bit of a valve like sound Edited July 6, 2015 by oceangreen17
TOPSHELF Posted July 7, 2015 Posted July 7, 2015 Great advice gentlemen, is there an amp like the one the op is looking for but with a little grunt, say 300w p/c.
henry218 Posted July 7, 2015 Posted July 7, 2015 Great advice gentlemen, is there an amp like the one the op is looking for but with a little grunt, say 300w p/c. Passlabs & McIntosh 1
TOPSHELF Posted July 7, 2015 Posted July 7, 2015 Thanks henry218, rather than go off topic on the poster i should start a new thread.....
b@ndicoot Posted July 7, 2015 Posted July 7, 2015 Anybody had any experience with the new yummy as2100? @@Cafad?
Cafad Posted July 7, 2015 Posted July 7, 2015 Anybody had any experience with the new yummy as2100? @@Cafad? Unfortunately not, but I wouldn't call the Yamaha sound warm as such. CEC amps are supposed to sound warm too (from what I've read) but try as I might I just can't get my hands on one. 1
Guest Hensa Posted July 8, 2015 Posted July 8, 2015 Unfortunately not, but I wouldn't call the Yamaha sound warm as such. CEC amps are supposed to sound warm too (from what I've read) but try as I might I just can't get my hands on one. That's interesting as I moved on a Yammie A-S1000 because I found it too warm/smooth in my system and my listening preference is for a more neutral (perhaps even slightly forward) sound. Does go to show, the combination of equipment, room, ears and sound preferences can result in very different assessments of gear!
Cafad Posted July 8, 2015 Posted July 8, 2015 That's interesting as I moved on a Yammie A-S1000 because I found it too warm/smooth in my system and my listening preference is for a more neutral (perhaps even slightly forward) sound. Does go to show, the combination of equipment, room, ears and sound preferences can result in very different assessments of gear! Too true. What speakers are you running there @@Hensa?
Full Range Posted July 8, 2015 Posted July 8, 2015 Hi I was wondering if anyone has heard or could recommend any modern 2 channel (not too expensive) amps that have a warm valve like sound, like a lot of people say the 70's Sansui amps have. I currently have a small Eric McChanson amp and love the sound with that, but are curious if there is anything non-tube that has that kind of rich sound. cheers Andy First Watt or The DIY version by Nelson Pass - Just research any model with the power that suits your setup Lots of reviews to read as well & all positive
Guest Hensa Posted July 8, 2015 Posted July 8, 2015 Too true. What speakers are you running there @@Hensa? That was running with Celestion A3's. Interestingly, part of the issue was I moved from a Krell to the Yamaha (actually, I think you and I did an amp swap!) and the Yamaha seemed at the opposite extreme to the Krell, which I found too lean/hard with the Celestions.
Cafad Posted July 8, 2015 Posted July 8, 2015 OK, I understand now, the Yamaha was definitely warmer than that 300i, and lean is actually a good descriptive word for the Krell. I would still only call the Yamaha warmish though, and certainly not in the same league as the Rega Brio R or the Cambridge 840V2 that I've heard.
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