Muscle Amp Suggestions

[lonewolfny42]

John:

I'm also a fan of Butler Audio and have been after two - TDB-5150's but I don't have $6590.00 just laying around! Why two you ask? I'm a fan of vertical bi-amping and have done it for years.

Good amps....good in high's and mid's....but not the last word in bass.
I do own two Butler 2250's.......and I'm not talking about the Mondial....which is a better amp.

                                            Chris

[Carlman]

Also, the Butler's are tube-ss hybrid's... not really a choice for ss-only.

BTW, in a room as big as you're describing, I'd definitely consider 200wpc+.  At 2,k that's tough.  The McIntosh MC-252 would be on my shortlist.... I've heard it's more neutral than their others.... maybe worth looking into... and is a good value used... but likely 'in the 2,k's' rather than 2,k....

BTW, what about the Ampzilla?

-C

[miklorsmith]

Man, that thing's ugly.  I'd do it if it sounds great though!

More than 200 wpc?!  You gotta be kiddin' me!  I take back what I said about ever being a lo-eff convert.

[bpape]

Again, look at the Sim.  It'll handle odd loads, works well with tube pres, is pretty neutral but with a slammin bottom end and it's a brand people who read high end rags know.  Also, IIRC, it will handle both single ended and balanced inputs.

Bryan

[WEEZ]

Mike,

Beauty, as is said, is in the eye of the beholder

WEEZ

[Double Ugly]

Actually, I'm trying to lean toward brand names that people are more likely to know/respect.

Yeah, I was in a hurry and misread your initial post.  In that case, I'll stick with the Belles and BEL recommendations.  They aren't as well known as some, but excellent amps by virtually all accounts.

[Bunky]

The Belles Ref 350, McCormack Dna 225,AVA fetvalve 550 or what i use the Odyssey mono extreme SE's are all great performers  

[shep]

I can't contribute any hands-on experience, seeing as how I remain desperately attatched to the Tripath concept. But the choice is quite vast and you have several considerations running parallel. You want to have an amp that establishes some credibility, hence the known brand, you want one that you are certain will be even-handed with a variety of speakers, that will interact well with the source, one that pleases you..
you want the cake and eat it too! No amp is without its own signature, no two sound alike/ I guess it should be one that you are confident you can hear thru to the speakers in question. Actually this is a hard one two answer! I'm just jawing for the sake...

[miklorsmith]

Hey, I like Tripath too!  In fact, both of my systems are running battery tripath amps right now.  But, these are applications that don't need brute strength.  This search is for a big-time changeup.

Thanks for all the picks, keep 'em comin'!

[Carlman]

McCormack Dna 225

I would strongly second that one... I *think* it satisfies all of your requirements to a T.

[WEEZ]

There's a DNA-125 for $1k on Audiogon right now..

[Black Sand Cable]

John:

Good amps....good in high's and mid's....but not the last word in bass.

I had the 2250 myself and thought the same thing. Don't me get wrong I loved the amp.....BIG TIME, but even against my old Parasound's, the bass was less then stellar.

[lonewolfny42]

John:

Good amps....good in high's and mid's....but not the last word in bass.

I had the 2250 myself and thought the same thing. Don't me get wrong I loved the amp.....BIG TIME, but even against my old Parasound's, the bass was less then stellar.

Yep....but I have to say....adding you Silver Ref. power cord did REALLY improve the bass on the Butler. And I did try other cords....yours was the best match.

[lonewolfny42]

The Belles Ref 350, McCormack Dna 225,AVA fetvalve 550 or what i use the Odyssey mono extreme SE's are all great performers  

I would agree with Bunky on these amps....good picks. Try to have a listen somewhere.

[Imperial]

http://www.musicaldesign.com/d-150c.htm

Imperial