Best SS-amp Today; Cost NO Object?

[Contrastique]

Because of a thread on Head-Fi (see link) it got me wondering, only I wanted to add a poll.

I know that a poll is somewhat useless as they are misleading since not many people, or maybe even none, have heard them all which will ultimately lead to a misformed / incomplete picture.

Nonetheless I would like to try and ask the people who are voting to explain why they voted the way they did, what else they've heard from the list and what sound(sig) they're after. When you feel I have left out an option which cannot be missed on the list, feel free to add your thoughts and please eloborate.

A little background: I still have to save up for a desktop amp and had my mind set on the Rudistor RPX-33 because of what I've read. I still have time (too much lol) before I buy and the thread triggered my interest again to keep digging for what's out there.

I was especially surprised by the Beta22 (the premade one, I'm no diyer) being cheaper (or around the same price as the RPX-33) while, if I get it right, getting rated above the latter. That could be interesting.

So...give it a go!

Head-Fi link:

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/what-ultimate-cost-no-object-solid-state-amp-today-317815/index7.html

[n_maher]

Would it be too evil of me to just remove a couple options from the poll?

[luvdunhill]

can I vote for the Krell KSA-5?

[Contrastique]

Would it be too evil of me to just remove a couple options from the poll?

Yep, it would. You're refering to..??

[deepak]

Yep, it would. You're refering to..??

Probably the Beta22

[saint.panda]

I know what I would vote for if the poll was about the longest waiting time. Although I'm not sure if the SS1 might not even beat the Headcode in this category.

[Contrastique]

Probably the Beta22

Why?

[luvdunhill]

Why?

which of these amps have you heard?

[Contrastique]

which of these amps have you heard?

None. There are not many people around me who have this sort of equipment, let alone care.

[en480c4]

I've only heard 2 on the list...

The Beta was great. Seriously... Outstanding.

The Apache was meh. Tried 3 or 4 different headphones with it. Music and some of the headphones were familiar, all of the upstream gear was new to me. Couldn't find a combo that impressed me.

Despite the abundance of commercial offerings, if I was in the market for a SS amp and money were no object I would build the best Beta I could come up with with respect to parts selection, chassis and layout.

[n_maher]

I haven't heard enough to be able to compare but someday I'll own another beta22, preferably of the balanced variety. Commercial gear just isn't my thing.

[purk]

I voted SS-1. Dan Chow (Icarium) probaby have heard some of the best SS amps more than anyone. Maybe he can shed us some light. I believe Single Power also have the following solidstate amps:

SP Square Wave Single End & Balanced

SP Harmony

SP Transparency

SP SS-1

Tom Hankins has the SP Transparency and he is using it as a pre-amp and according to him, its the best pre-amp he have heard. I listened to the SP transparency on his speaker system and it is indeed very very impressive.

Also, I've listened to botht the balaneced SQ. Wave v.s. the Dynamight and Balanced Beta22 and the Beta22 was definitely a better amp. For under 2.5k solidstate amp, the Beta22 and Dynamight are pretty tough to beat.

[grawk]

I voted for the TooleAudio Balanced Mosfet Amplifier. It's the sweet spot for me in terms of sound and features. It helps that it was built to my specifications, of course.

[saint.panda]

By the way, I don't think the Opera can really compete with the high end. I preferred the Headcode by a long shot.

[Salt Peanuts]

I'm surprised I've actually heard four of the listed amps, two of them I own/owned. Yes, I do really like my ?22.

On a side note, RPX-33 was spectacularly mediocre when I tried it in the past.

[Contrastique]

I'm surprised I've actually heard four of the listed amps, two of them I own/owned. Yes, I do really like my ?22.

On a side note, RPX-33 was spectacularly mediocre when I tried it in the past.

What are the differences between the 2 iyo?

[greenhorn]

Would amps like Audio Techica DHA 3000 (its price was more than $3000 AFAIK!) or Gilmore Reference qualify for this poll or aren't tey up to par with what is already listed?

[purk]

Would amps like Audio Techica DHA 3000 (its price was more than $3000 AFAIK!) or Gilmore Reference qualify for this poll or aren't tey up to par with what is already listed?

Yes, the DHA3000 is a stellar amp for the L3000 and other lower impedance phones, but it is only very good for higher impedance headphones like the HD-650.

[deepak]

I voted for the TooleAudio Balanced Mosfet Amplifier. It's the sweet spot for me in terms of sound and features. It helps that it was built to my specifications, of course.

What the heck is Tool Audio

[Smeggy]

What the heck is Tool Audio

I don't know, but it's a great name

I read something about their amps a while ago but can't remember much about it.

[aardvark baguette]

In typical Headfi fashion, I voted, despite not having heard all the options

B22 for me. I've yet to read a negative review, and am quite pleased with the sound of mine

Its also easily the best amp at the price point I payed ($900 used). Almost unfair towards the competition, really.

[deepak]

I don't know, but it's a great name

I read something about their amps a while ago but can't remember much about it.

http://www.head-case.org/headphone_amplification/when_willl_the_tooleaudio_prototype_balanced_max_come_out-t825.0.html

[Smeggy]

Thanks, now I can catch up on it.

Anyway, despite having heard none of them I'll vote for B22 just because I can

[Cankin]

Because of a thread on Head-Fi (see link) it got me wondering, only I wanted to add a poll.

I know that a poll is somewhat useless as they are misleading since not many people, or maybe even none, have heard them all which will ultimately lead to a misformed / incomplete picture.

Nonetheless I would like to try and ask the people who are voting to explain why they voted the way they did, what else they've heard from the list and what sound(sig) they're after. When you feel I have left out an option which cannot be missed on the list, feel free to add your thoughts and please eloborate.

A little background: I still have to save up for a desktop amp and had my mind set on the Rudistor RPX-33 because of what I've read. I still have time (too much lol) before I buy and the thread triggered my interest again to keep digging for what's out there.

I was especially surprised by the Beta22 (the premade one, I'm no diyer) being cheaper (or around the same price as the RPX-33) while, if I get it right, getting rated above the latter. That could be interesting.

So...give it a go!

Head-Fi link:

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/what-ultimate-cost-no-object-solid-state-amp-today-317815/index7.html

I'm surprised that you can post a head case link on HF

[Salt Peanuts]

The big issue I had with RPX-33 when I tried it was it just didn't have enough power. For every cans I tried with it (Grados, K701, K1000, and couple of others), it just seemed like it was straining to drive them. While many headphone amp can't do this, but it really couldn't drive K1000's at al, IIRC.