Best bang for your buck amp?

brencho · Feb 26, 2016

seems like a strange thread to post this in, but since we were discussing it on here with @purrin and @FlySweep-- i put in an order for a liquid crimson today!

CoLdAsSauLt · May 12, 2016

FlySweep said: ↑

Outside of TOTL offerings (like the aforementioned Liquid Crimson), I'd get a dedicated amp for orthos and one for (high impedance) dynamics. Despite having to purchase two units (instead of an all-in-one), I feel the value proposition is simply better (i.e. a used Valhalla 2 and a solid upper-mid fi hybrid or solid state ortho amp).. again, if you're not going Liquid Crimson or Liquid Glass.

I absolutely agree. My personal ortho experience encompases the more popular (modern) offerings (HE-400/HE-500, HE400S, HE-560, LCD-2/F, Paradox/Slants, LCD-X). Of the "ortho-friendly" sub-$1K solid state amps I've heard.. there's precious few, if any, that were satisfying enough to keep long term. I can't speak to many of the >$1K "ortho-friendly" amps that are well regarded (i.e. Black Widow, Cavalli SS, Ragnarok, etc.) since I haven't heard or spent enough time with them. All the well-designed, high current output stuff does a great job of grabbing the ortho drivers "by the balls," bringing focus to the soundstage, etc., but ultimately, some nature of the amp got on my nerves (glare, lack of dimensionality, finesse, etc.). It's part of the reason I moved back to dynamics.. and why I'm basically done with solid state amps (for dynamics, at least). I still dig orthos cause I enjoy their unique presentation..but my inability to find an amp (<$1K) that I'd want to keep for more than four or five months makes it harder and harder to want to get one again. Blame my budget, yeah?
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Abundantly late to the party... but have you heard Auralic's Taurus Mk II by any chance? @purrin, have you given this another spin?

purr1n · May 12, 2016

Only in combination with the Auralic Vega DAC, so I really can't say much. The Taurus seemed pretty transparent though, allowing the full essence of the Vega DAC (good and bad) to come through. My impressions and gut-feelings about it are positive. Much moreso than competitors around the same price such as the CMA800 and probably the V281 too.

CoLdAsSauLt · May 12, 2016

Marvey said: ↑

Only in combination with the Auralic Vega DAC, so I really can't say much. The Taurus seemed pretty transparent though, allowing the full essence of the Vega DAC (good and bad) to come through. My impressions and gut-feelings about it are positive. Much moreso than competitors around the same price such as the CMA800 and probably the V281 too.
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Thanks Marv. Even your gut feeling is most helpful. Some have golden ears, some golden schlongs

Best bang for your buck amp?

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Best bang for your buck amp?

brencho Friend

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purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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