My dealer in austin has said a few great things on Gryphon, sounds like maybe it's time I seek out a audition...

jfrech July 28, 2012 16:19

Hi Jfrech,

I hear you on Class A...i will say, though, when i came across Gryphon...160 watts/channel 8 ohms...but 5400 watts peak into 0.5ohm load...it changed my opinion (a lot). i have yet to hear 1000 watts into 8 ohms which i am told is quite special (Bryston 28BSST2, Classe Ref monos, ARC Ref 750)...but this amp is my personal fav so far.

lloydelee21 July 28, 2012 14:22

Broken, sorry missed your 2nd post. I think adding a BAT preamp should give you another 6db of gain plus control your amp better possibly than your Audible Illusions (which i've read is a good preamp).

I think the preamp is your next move from my experience. Then if you still feel you need a little more power...try something down the road. A BAT 51SE with your 75SE is a awesome combination. Hard to beat for any amount of money...I had to spend a bundle to get better (really more different)

Good Luck, you have my 2cents now :)

jfrech July 28, 2012 13:19

Broken,

My former BAT VK51SE worked great with the Ayres. Also my current Nagra PLL is a nice match. (I also tried the matching Ayre preamp). Beyond this, I don't have any experience.

A all bat system is a very good thing. I do think their pieces complement each other more than anything else. Plus a BAT VK51SE used is a just a steal for the money. It was a weight and wetness in the mid range that just can't get beat (except maybe by the BAT REX) (sorry I did have this at home also for a try)

Honestly, I'd for a preamp NOW over your power amp. Get the BAT PRE.. now...

jfrech July 28, 2012 13:15

Lloydlee, Class A solid state amps do have some great qualities. Pretty sure the BAT VK200 I used to have was class A (given the heat output). I've also had a Luxman class A amp at home (that was a nice amp). Seem that these have all share some tube like qualities around a more relaxed top end, more warmth etc. They don't have the ultimate power or control as some other solid state bruisers...but then again isn't it sound quality we're after?

jfrech July 28, 2012 13:10

Broken,

for some reason, i have consistently gravitated toward Class A SS amps. Forte 4, older Krell, Gryphon, Boulder...Gryphon being by far my favorite. have heard good things about Vitus as well.

lloydelee21 July 27, 2012 23:51

Jfrech: another thing... the reason why i would likely move off the BAT 75SE is b/c I don't have room for monoblocks, so I don't think the Ayre MXR would really work. Do you have another suggestion? Love the sound of warm tubes with a beautiful mid-range, but strong in the lower end with tighter and stronger sound timbre/dynamics...

If I could've gotten another BAT75SE I would... but need to move off the tube and move to SS that has the above sound dynamics... thoughts?

broken July 27, 2012 05:54

Jfrech: thanks for the comments. What pre-amp goes iwth the Ayre MXR? I definitely like the mid-range from the BAT75SE... it was like honey smooth! I was actually trying to find a BAT 255SE and then later upgrade my Audible Illusions 3A pre-amp to have a full BAT stack? I heard BAT work together quite nicely to create synergy that is greater than the sum?? Thoughts?

1.) What goes with the Ayre you were talking about... don't want to spend too much more... so nothing crazy
2.) What do you think of my approach of upgrade power amp now and then upgrade to full stack BAT?

Thanks again for all your help! Clearly you have a lot more experience

broken July 27, 2012 05:46

Hi, years ago I had a BAT VK200. I have to say the BAT VK60 I bought next was a far superior amp in the midrange. Not saying the BAT SS amps aren't good, I am saying their tube amps are excellent. You might not like this step, you might get the power your after, but loose the midrange magic you likely also love...

From my experience, the Ayre MXR's are very hard to beat. Incredibly transparent, excellent bass control/extension..sweet soft highs...it's like a tube amp that's solid state. Oh it's best strength is it's always effortless into any load, any kind of music.

I was really worried about leaving tube amps...I've had my Ayre MXR's now for 3 years...really nice amp. Hope this helps you!!

jfrech July 26, 2012 13:16

Jfrech

This is Broken (Jo)... thanks for your input on my questions. I always had a little thought that my BAT 75SE didn't have enough juice for my Dali 800's. I guess i'm right given so much input from the community

I'm still thinking to stay with BAT for my next power amp. any thoughts as to which model? Given Dali's are 4ohms, i'm thinking to go with the BAT 255SE? Thoughts? BTW: what is the difference between 255 vs. 250 model? just new vs. old? or is it worth the difference?

Any other thoughts before i keep my eyes peeled for a used one? What about Ayre? ARC? Pass? etc.?

appreciate your thoughts
Jo

broken July 26, 2012 05:14

Acutally I had to move the Ayre MX R's off the bottom shelf (got to hot and shut down) and put the Triton on the lowest shelf on the Grand Prix SilverStone F1. The Amps are now on a Grand Prix Monoco amp stand....no footers anywhere except under the racks (a nice thing about Grand Prix)

I might try the damping plates on top...interesting idea...

How is that Triton/Anaconda zitron breaking in for you?

jfrech June 27, 2012 22:14

John
Your system pics of the Triton, actually it's a pic of the VRay 2, shows some footers. The Triton manual talks of some benefits from spikes or some other footers etc. I have a HRS damping plate on top of the Triton + 3 stainless steel cups with ball bearings under it and find there is an improvement . It's something you may want to explore if you still have the old footers etc.
Happy listening
Pradeep

sunnyboy1956 June 25, 2012 17:11

Hi Pradeep ! That's awesome and congratulations. I found the Triton awesome day one...but it will get better. The transparency and see through sound stage (more here) along with the decays/detail/delicacy (lil less here).

The Anaconda seems to take longer...maybe 2 months...but my front end equipment doesn't take a lot of power...

I have my Triton on the bottom shelf of my Grand Prix Audio Silverstone rack...so pretty significant isolation. I haven't tried it others places yet to see what diff are.

jfrech June 24, 2012 13:04

Hi John
A Hydra Triton arrived a few days back along with a Anaconda Zitron and Cobra Zitron, both pcs. Long way to go for break in but the Triton is truly amazing. Many thanks for the recommendation. Are you using any footers or other iso device under the Triton ?
Cheers
Pradeep

sunnyboy1956 June 24, 2012 03:31

System edited: Swapped out Shunyata Anaconda CX for Anaconda Zitrons. 1 for Triton, 2 for amps, and 1 for phono stage. Tremendous gains in clarity and resolution. along with depth. The King Cobras have a warmer/wetter presentation, it's still a killer cord...so keep these on my digital and preamp

jfrech May 20, 2012 11:12

Hey, John:
My process for selecting a preamp was curtailed when I was offered a demo Ultra GT at a great price. I had already arranged to visit the Newport Beach Show in order to finalize my selections, but this purchase makes my trip one for fun only. I did not listen first, just taking a chance, and I did get lucky. My system now has a 'presence' that is uncanny. I won't take space on your system page to rave, but suffice it to say "It's all there."
Ren Tilden
Winter Park, FL

rtilden May 13, 2012 13:36

Hi Gail, good to hear from you. I hope all is going ok! I didn't experiment really at all (yet). I had tried a Cardas Lighning 15 when I had the Puccini and U-Clock, it made such a difference, that at approx $300, I just ordered new ones at the right length for my Scarlatti dac and transport.

It's quite remarkable what this cable does for a clock. I do think I'll experiment, maybe this fall, try a Purist or Transparent. It's a little tough because most digital cables have rca terminations and I need BNC in this application.

I also swapped firewire cables, from the stock to AudioQuest Diamond, it's a improvement also. (the connectors are fussy on the AQ...I don't really like the loose connection it seems to make)

I keep hoping someone will let me know if they've done some trials...Let me know if you have or have friend who has been down the path. Right now, I'm thrilled with the performance of the cardas, especially for the cost...

jfrech May 13, 2012 12:05

Rtilden, congratulations ! I know you spent quite a bit of time deciding which preamp to move to. So let me know you decision making process, did you get to listen to this at home first? I know making a big system change is a tough thing to narrow down!

jfrech May 13, 2012 11:58

Congrats...the Ultra GT is their no-holds-barred version i believe. i have read and heard it is awesome. Enjoy!!!

lloydelee21 May 13, 2012 09:45

Hi, John:
I wanted to pass on to you my latest success with a new preamp. I just installed a Purity Audio Design Ultra GT preamp to mate with my CODA 15.0 amp, driving my Tyler Woodmere speakers. The quality level of playback is nothing short of phenomenal. Still doing some minor tweaking and critical listening, but I wanted to pass this along in case you or any of your buddies were interested in any information/comments about it.

rtilden May 12, 2012 23:52

System edited: Added E.A.R. MC4 Step Up Transformer for my Allaerts. I needed more gain, but holy cow did it help in so many areas. Started looking at SUT for more gain (Allaerts is a bit less than .2mv). The EAR MC4 certainly solves the gain...but the dynamics, life and music just presents itself with vibrancy I didn't seem to have before. It with .5mv cartridges... If you have Nagra VPS, might be worth checking out a external SUT. I did buy the Nagra MM card (kept the MC card also for a 2nd Lyra I plan to buy soon) I am using the 40ohm tap on the EAR MC 4

jfrech May 12, 2012 23:20

Hi John
Wondering if you compared other clock cables to the Cardas. My experience is like yours where clock cables do make a difference. Have not experimented with many cables though.

gshelley May 12, 2012 13:39

?? The wheels might be from a set up pic...they've been spiked for years...Silverstone is significantly better than the monaco (and it is pretty good). Much much lower noise floor allowing details and imaging to emerge...plus everything has such a ease...but more dynamic. It's a crucial component in my system. I want to buy a silverstone amp stand one day...

jfrech May 12, 2012 02:10

I wonder how much you're losing by using wheels instead of spikes? Does the Silverstone demolish the Monaco?

tabl10s May 11, 2012 13:26

Many thanks. A Triton it will be. Have never gone wrong with advise on Agon
All the best
Pradeep

sunnyboy1956 April 29, 2012 13:56