Warm amp!

[jerry1404]

I'd go for a set of Mc1.2kw's, powerful, warm, tube like midrange, detailed sound at any volume with the fast attack and bass slam your looking for. These amps are absolutely beautiful to look at and fantastic to listen to. Also run very cool. I love mine!

[tom_hankins]

BAT VK-600M SE monoblocks lean towards warmth, with lots of depth and texure to images. Very big and powerful sound with lots of detail. Friend had them with Sashas, best I have heard the Sashas sound.
They also have the newer VK-655se amps but have only heard them shortly at RMAF.
I also like the newest Krells alot (Evo E series). Much more musical and warmer than any krells before them. Good Luck!

[chessman]

I have a BAT VK-600 SE. I would describe its sound as very natural and musical. It is not analytic, harsh or brittle, but is instead effortless, liquid and engaging. Does that equal "warm?" I have a hard time responding because one man's warm is another's muddy. When I added the tube preamp the sound got better, but I am not sure it got warmer. I guess it would be safe to say the amp is a tick towards warm from neutral.

[mbovaird]

Randy - good suggestion. The BAT VK-600SE's are terrific. I'm a huge fan of MOSFET transistors. Every SS amp I've had with MOSFET transistors have sounded "warm", but still had balls. The good thing for Kevin is that the Strads are so easy to drive. He can use almost any amp.

A D'Agostino Stereo amp might just be the ticket too...

Mike

Originally Posted by chessman

I have a BAT VK-600 SE. I would describe its sound as very natural and musical. It is not analytic, harsh or brittle, but is instead effortless, liquid and engaging. Does that equal "warm?" I have a hard time responding because one man's warm is another's muddy. When I added the tube preamp the sound got better, but I am not sure it got warmer. I guess it would be safe to say the amp is a tick towards warm from neutral.

Yes the VK-600 SE is a very nice amp, and you are correct it sounds tube-like, although this amp is an OTL Circlotron whose idiosyncrasies would make me very nervous about using it with ceramic drivers. With less fragile drivers there should be no problem.

While we're on the subject of warm sounding amps, if you're looking for a good value tube-like amp I can recommend the the Modwright KWA-150SE. That is a lovely amp with tube-like warmth, excellent control & great inner detail. This is an amp which you can play at low levels and still get all the magic.

[sidvee]

I was a tube guy for about 15 years and then I chanced upon Symphonic Line from Germany. I now own their Kraft 250, and IMO to me ears this is the closest I have gotten to tube sound from a High power SS design.
Cheers,
Sid

[Vintage Pete]

Originally Posted by jerry1404

I'd go for a set of Mc1.2kw's, powerful, warm, tube like midrange, detailed sound at any volume with the fast attack and bass slam your looking for. These amps are absolutely beautiful to look at and fantastic to listen to. Also run very cool. I love mine!

I wondered when someone would chime in an mention this amp. I love my 501's but if I had the cash I would most definitely go for these. It's a no-brainer IMO.

Pete