Favorite Amplifier that you could buy, but don’t buy…

[Mark of Cenla]

I buy receivers and turn off the display; then, pretend they are amps. Peace and goodwill.

 

[mono-bloc]

So the Gryphon Apex 210W x 2Ch (8 ohm) amp retails $100K USD. Definitely not cost-effective.

America is a very small market, when it comes to high priced amplification. The European market is massive, and in some case is sales tax free
But consider the equivalent models for price and quality. of American designs D'agostino and Boulder with brands like Gryphon. or MBL

As for the Gryphon Apex, also consider the matching Commander pre-amp

Dan D'Agostino Master Audio Systems, LLC

“My life’s desire is to reveal the warmth, depth, and detail of the recorded performance to the ears of dedicated music lovers.” —Dan D’Agostino, Founder & Chief Designer

dandagostino.com

https://boulderamp.com australian price range https://www.classaaudio.com.au/brand/112-boulder

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

For me, it's an easy choice - Rotel RB5000.
I've seen it once and fell in love with the pure madness of late 70s design.
Also fairly obvious why I won't buy it, since it's 70s tech and it costs an arm and a leg to own and repair.

https://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/rotel/rb-5000.shtml

 

[Eppie]

Comes down to nostalgia for me. My intro intro hi-fi was the JBL L300 Summit and they were driving them with a Harman Kardon Citation 16 amp. That was a beast of an amp in the '70s and I loved those angled LED meters. I think it would look great in a rack but too big and heavy by today's standards.

Bryston has a great rep and Canadian made but they have always been expensive and rather utilitarian looking. I do like the retro style of the Rotel pictured above. Never been into the exotics like Gryphon.

 

[highfigh]

I wouldn't say it's my favorite because I haven't heard music through one but I saw a power amp from an Australian or New Zealand manufacturer at CES in the 'best of show' area. The specs showed "Power output- adequate".

 

[dolynick]

I've been very tempted by an Apollon model to try out a higher end class D amp.

I'm quite happy with my new Musical Fidelity M6 PRX class AB power amp and the sound it produces though. The Appollon isn't hugely expensive but it's still a large chunk of change for something "just to try" and not really needed.

 

[mono-bloc]

Also fairly obvious why I won't buy it, since it's 70s tech and it costs an arm and a leg to own and repair.

Rotels don't brake down, they just go on and on
Meany meany years ago I came across a Rotel RX 203 integrated amp It cost me $25.00 at a charity auction That was close to
30 years ago.. And it was old when I got it... Only problem was one of the light bulbs in the front display panel died.. So regardless
of cost, I replaced all three bulbs. and kept the two that where working as spares. That must have been 10 years ago.
And for the record it runs the TV audio in the spare room

 

[Bobby Bass]

Interesting question. For me it’s a McIntosh amp. I’ve wanted blue meters since I was a kid. My Rotel separates and Yamaha AVRs are all I need and my kids are busy disposing of my disposable income so Not now.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Interesting question. For me it’s a McIntosh amp. I’ve wanted blue meters since I was a kid. My Rotel separates and Yamaha AVRs are all I need and my kids are busy disposing of my disposable income so Not now. View attachment 75700

LOL.

Haha. Yeah our kids are busy disposing our disposable incomes.

But when they have their own disposable incomes, I guess you’ll get yourself a Mac?

 

[Bobby Bass]

LOL.

Haha. Yeah our kids are busy disposing our disposable incomes.

But when they have their own disposable incomes, I guess you’ll get yourself a Mac?

Lol thats the dream

 

[ski2xblack]

In a just world it would be the kids buying McIntosh amps for their parents, as a sort of "length of service" award.

With no kids (at least that I'm aware of...one never knows for sure) I'm probably SOL.

 

[everettT]

Does it matter to you if the class D amp has a switching power supply or a linear power supply?

Do you have a preference and why, if so?

 

[everettT]

America is a very small market, when it comes to high priced amplification. The European market is massive, and in some case is sales tax free
But consider the equivalent models for price and quality. of American designs D'agostino and Boulder with brands like Gryphon. or MBL

As for the Gryphon Apex, also consider the matching Commander pre-amp

Dan D'Agostino Master Audio Systems, LLC

“My life’s desire is to reveal the warmth, depth, and detail of the recorded performance to the ears of dedicated music lovers.” —Dan D’Agostino, Founder & Chief Designer

dandagostino.com

https://boulderamp.com australian price range https://www.classaaudio.com.au/brand/112-boulder

If someone is gonna buy an amp instead of a house, it better be the cat's meow, lol. While they measure "well", better hope one has a different brand of preamp (at this time). It would take a long time blowing up some of the best class D offerings before those amps make sense, and I come from the heavy boutique brands going back to the late '70s.