Listened to some gear tonight. Besides the Kef LS-50s that I previously mentioned, the other standout was form a German company called T+A audio. The T and A stand for something besides what we associate with T & A. Though it's about as nice.
It absolutely destroyed a big, gigantic, vintage Krell amp. I mean, just floored it, showed its heels, and its backside, and ran off laughing. Big open sound, excellent soundstage, no edge, no glare, no grain. Made the big old Krell sound like a grainy shrill 2-dimensional PA amp.
I liked it so much, I might borrow it from the store when I get back from a trip, to compare to some things here. Nothing comes in here anymore unless I can fund at least part of it, so there'd have to be a big improvement, and I'd have to sell a bunch of stuff to fund it. It would be a shootout with the Pass Aleph 30, which isn't going anywhere (still love that amp, and I actually doubt the T+A would beat it, but its worth a shot).
Being as I've been very open about how much I love the Aleph, why chase something else? Well, because I want a higher power option (as opposed to replacement) for when the mood strikes, that's all. I have that with the Accuphase I'm using, but that's here not to be cutting edge, but for convenience and looks. I have too many motives here!
Basically, speakers are dictating my amp choice. And they like more power than my taste in amps leans. So a conundrum. Or at least, a curiosity.
It absolutely destroyed a big, gigantic, vintage Krell amp. I mean, just floored it, showed its heels, and its backside, and ran off laughing. Big open sound, excellent soundstage, no edge, no glare, no grain. Made the big old Krell sound like a grainy shrill 2-dimensional PA amp.
I liked it so much, I might borrow it from the store when I get back from a trip, to compare to some things here. Nothing comes in here anymore unless I can fund at least part of it, so there'd have to be a big improvement, and I'd have to sell a bunch of stuff to fund it. It would be a shootout with the Pass Aleph 30, which isn't going anywhere (still love that amp, and I actually doubt the T+A would beat it, but its worth a shot).
Being as I've been very open about how much I love the Aleph, why chase something else? Well, because I want a higher power option (as opposed to replacement) for when the mood strikes, that's all. I have that with the Accuphase I'm using, but that's here not to be cutting edge, but for convenience and looks. I have too many motives here!
Basically, speakers are dictating my amp choice. And they like more power than my taste in amps leans. So a conundrum. Or at least, a curiosity.