Name Your top 5 Amplifier Companies

[SCAudiophile]

No particular order;

- Karan Acoustics (particularly KAS 600 or KAM 900s)
- Burmester
- Gryphon
- Edge (when the NL Ref Pyramids and NL Ref 1.1s were still in production)
- Esoteric
- Accuphase

[ylee]

Originally Posted by Randy Myers

I am curious over the Benchmark.... Their DAC3 HGC pre-amplifier DAC is simply amazing. Benchmark sales manager is trying to get me to try one. He keeps saying if I listen to it I will not return it. A perfect match to the DAC3 HGC for someone looking for purity.

I have an AHB2 driving a pair of Vandersteen Quatro Wood CTs. Source is a Totaldac d1-twelve SE. The AHB2 gives astonishing performance and doesn't slack in quality compared to its much more expensive companions in my system.

[ylee]

Originally Posted by Skypickle

I wonder why benchmark did not make it onto this list. Have people not heard it? The AHB2 is now 2 years old(?) and surely must have been in some shows. Is not considered a 'real' amplifier for some reason because it's less than 20 lbs. The measurements indicate it is quieter than most amps (132 db s/n) and at 190 wpc into 8 ohms can drive most speakers. OK, so they need to be run in mono for revels.

Has anyone heard this amp and also a mac (452 for example)?

The other brands listed by people are companies that have a long history of high quality amplification equipment. Benchmark is a newcomer. Hopefully they'll build on the promising start they have with the AHB2. I love mine and think it's one of the best bargains in audio today.

[bart]

After a demo today, I think I'll have to add Mola-Mola on my list.
I'll try to start a thread about it later this week.

[Formerly YB-2]

Bart - are you rethinking tubes?

[bart]

Hi Glenn, Bruno Putzeys, the Belgian creator of these little wonders says a lot of transistor amp owners change to tubes, because when tubes are well done, the music sounds more natural.
Just like I did.
But his concept of class D sounds so natural and pure, yet without the hardness of older D class, that it seems to convert tube lovers.
It has the advantage of tubes (naturalness), without the possible distortion.
His criterion: the signal has to pass without any distortion at all, and has to sound like it was recorded.
I'd like to test these in my system.

[cmarin]

Originally Posted by bart

Hi Glenn, Bruno Putzeys, the Belgian creator of these little wonders says a lot of transistor amp owners change to tubes, because when tubes are well done, the music sounds more natural.

Just like I did.

But his concept of class D sounds so natural and pure, yet without the hardness of older D class, that it seems to convert tube lovers.

It has the advantage of tubes (naturalness), without the possible distortion.

His criterion: the signal has to pass without any distortion at all, and has to sound like it was recorded.

I'd like to test these in my system.

Thanks for the heads up Bart. Look forward to hearing your listening impressions of the Mola Mola amps.

[Rick721]

Wells Audio

[Formerly YB-2]

Bart - think Bruno Putzeys may be on to something. I moved to tubes when I approached my dotage (60? ) and have been happy here for exactly reasons he states. Looking forward to your impressions of the Mola-Mola (which I've been fortunate to see in their native habitat during my travels). Hopefully, you will be able to A/B in your home system.

[bart]

Glenn, Carlos, I'll keep you guys updated!

(But first a new source, as I'm still really really happy with my Halgorythmes!)