Warm amp!

[bzr]

I am after recommendations for warm sounding S/State amps with detail so that I can shorten my auditioning down by a few hundred hours. I am absolutely loving the 2301's except for the one thing, they haven't got that s/s attack & slam. I want something with around 600w + or at least 300w +mono

[harri009]

Originally Posted by bzr

I am after recommendations for warm sounding S/State amps with detail so that I can shorten my auditioning down by a few hundred hours. I am absolutely loving the 2301's except for the one thing, they haven't got that s/s attack & slam. I want something with around 600w + or at least 300w +mono

Have you auditioned Pass Labs XA series. Also one of the warmest sounding amps I have had in my system was a BAT VK-500 w/BP. I would assume the newer version sounds quite similar with a more refined sound.

[joeinid]

Kev,

If you don't want to mess around please consider a Dagostino momentum. It is stunning.

[Bluemcintosh]

1.McIntosh MC601 - No instruction needed

2,Audia Flight - STRUMENTO n° 4 - Class A first 40 watts. 8/4/2 ohm 200/400/800

[mbovaird]

If you want a crazy good value buy: Classe CA-M600. 1200 watts/channel into 4 ohms. Runs totally COLD too. Just read the reviews!

If you want the hottest (popular) amp on the planet: D'Agostino monos. I'd buy these in a minute if money was no object!

Pass XA amps are an excellent combination of SS and Tube qualities....but you mentioned a minimum of 600 watts/channel. So maybe Pass X600.5's?

Bryston 28's and Krell Evos are another excellent option.

[bzr]

Mike, are all these amps warm sounding?

[mbovaird]

Originally Posted by bzr

Mike, are all these amps warm sounding?

Sorry...missed the "warm" part.

The Classe works best with a tube preamp for an overall warm sound. The Classe amps by themselves are completely neutral, but when combined with a tubey preamp, the sonic signature of the preamp shines through. The Classe on the Strads is really really good because the Strads are already warm.....but, having owned the Strads, I can honestly say the Pass XA amps with an ARC preamp on the Strads was a fabulous synergy.

The Pass XA are very very warm sounding. Glorious tube like midrange. Fast, quick bass. Sweet highs.

Mike

[bzr]

Ok, thanks.

[Justlisten2]

Clayton Audio M-300

Not very well known, but you can't do much better than a pair of Clayton Audio M-300's.

[bzr]

Originally Posted by joeinid

Kev,

If you don't want to mess around please consider a Dagostino momentum. It is stunning.

Joe, thanks for the advice but unfortunately not in my price range.

Originally Posted by Justlisten2

Clayton Audio M-300
Not very well known, but you can't do much better than a pair of Clayton Audio M-300's.

Thanks, they look interesting indeed!