I use these, and am listening to the right now (for the rest of the system, see here: http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showpost.php?p=7928165&postcount=55). I love them - have had them about a year. They replaced Channel Islands Audio D200s with updated modules. Before that, I had Bel Canto M300s, Bryston 3BSST, Forte 4A, and Hafler 9500 amps, and have heard a few other amps in this system.
The mAmps are the best I've heard in my own system. It's hard to describe the sound in any meaningful way - they're quiet, smooth, dynamic, with deep, tight bass, and excellent imaging when the recording can do it. Highly recommended. I'll do my best to answer any questions about them.
Rich,
Thanks for the feedback. I followed your thread: you have a great listening area and very impressive system.
W4S has aways intrigued me: seems like a great product for reasonable money. I'm at a point where I'm looking for other options for my system: currently I have a Rega Elicit-R running a pair of Vienna Acoustics Beethoven Baby Grand SE's. The sound's been just fine, but my listening area is somewhat bigger, and I've wanted more power.
The mAMPS look like a good option. I've always wanted monos; I have a vintage Yamaha C-70 preamp which is about to get a full restore from AK'er Avionic. So...I was thinking about using the W4S amps with them. My budget right now won't allow me to spring for a W4S preamp.
I'm unfamiliar with your cables; I'm a Kimber guy. Sounds like yours do a nice job with the W4S.
The gain: at 30db, no issue with noise? I was talking to someone who said that could be an issue with the amp.
Are you using the mAMPS with the stock power cord or are you using aftermarket stuff? Someone told me the mAMPS like good power conditioning and good power cords.
I'm sure I'll have other questions...
Jeff
I use these, and am listening to the right now (for the rest of the system, see here: http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showpost.php?p=7928165&postcount=55). I love them - have had them about a year. They replaced Channel Islands Audio D200s with updated modules. Before that, I had Bel Canto M300s, Bryston 3BSST, Forte 4A, and Hafler 9500 amps, and have heard a few other amps in this system.
The mAmps are the best I've heard in my own system. It's hard to describe the sound in any meaningful way - they're quiet, smooth, dynamic, with deep, tight bass, and excellent imaging when the recording can do it. Highly recommended. I'll do my best to answer any questions about them.
What sort of differences could you tell between the Bel Canto and the W4S?
No issues whatsoever with noise; these amps are dead silent. 30 dB is pretty typical gain for SS amps, but I suppose you could have noise issues if your source and preampa aren't really quiet. I'm using Grant Fidelity power cords with them, and both amps are plugged into Brickwall surge protectors - not really power conditioning, but nice to have during thunderstorms.
Rich
Edit: I suppose I should add that I've only used the balanced inputs.
You might want to take a look at the Red Dragon amps and also the Nuprime (Nuforce) ST-10. Both have received great reviews. In the case of the Nuprime, Steven Stone of TAS said it was better than amps from Bel Canto, W4S and April Music that he had in house in the past. If your speakers to be used with the mAMPS are not "high efficiency" then the SE inputs should not be a problem unless you listen with your ears against the tweeters unless the Yamaha is noisy itself.