Classic Solid State muscle...

[Steve]

So I got the chance to at least sample some serious wpc via the solid state route.

Unfortunately one of my valve mono's started to make undesirable sounds at start up. So took it off to Cloney's beginning of last weekend for a health check. Talking to Noel this afternoon, it seems a simple case of some resistors needing replacement so happily appears to be nothing major.

When dropping it off, Ivan was kind enough to loan me a Classe CA-2300 for long weekend as I'd expressed some curiousity regarding the SS state of affairs.. Into the Amati Futura 4 ohm load, this amp delivers 600wpc so quite some muscle!

Impressions were a little mixed I must admit. Certainly a massive grip on the bottom end and effortless control of the bass. But a much darker sound than the Jadis tubes and really needed some volume to start to come alive. I really do enjoy the open and airy presentation of the tubes, gives a much more intimate feel to the presentation.

Perhaps the direct comparison of mono's to a stereo amp is a little unfair as there is a fair price difference here (based on current levels). Also in the fact that Jadis is Class A as opposed to Classe Class AB. But still great to get the opportunity to compare, so big thanks to Cloney here!

Still would love to hear some of the Class A SS behemoths for further comparison!

[Rocker]

Steve, a few years ago I coined the word 'AudioBliss', which means a sound so good in your room that you cannot imagine anything better. Nothing whatsoever to do with cost of the equipment but a measure of the balance between the component parts and how well they gel together. If and when you do arrive at AudioBliss, do nothing, absolutely nothing, to disturb this state of affairs. Simply enjoy it. Do not, under any circumstances, try any 'better' component(s) as this test may highlight deficiencies in the sound, deficiencies that you may not be able to ignore when your system is restored to its original setup.

Every system has its flaws and its good points. When the good exceeds the flaws you are about there. The alternative is to spend a lot of cash......

Tread carefully.

[DaveF]

Steve, a few years ago I coined the word 'AudioBliss', which means a sound so good in your room that you cannot imagine anything better. Nothing whatsoever to do with cost of the equipment but a measure of the balance between the component parts and how well they gel together. If and when you do arrive at AudioBliss, do nothing, absolutely nothing, to disturb this state of affairs. Simply enjoy it. Do not, under any circumstances, try any 'better' component(s) as this test may highlight deficiencies in the sound, deficiencies that you may not be able to ignore when your system is restored to its original setup.

Every system has its flaws and its good points. When the good exceeds the flaws you are about there. The alternative is to spend a lot of cash......

Tread carefully.

Probably the best post here in a long time. Tread carefully indeed Steve. I once had that 'AudioBliss': Ushers/Gamut/MFA/Wadia. I then tried and bought 'better' components and spent the next few years trying to undo the damage. To this day I still havent gotten back to that AudioBliss although I've come close on occasion. Maybe its a curse for some of us.

[Steve]

A point very well made gents!

Picking up the now repaired JA80 this evening so looking forward to getting setup back to normal for weekend.

To be honest, experience of the CA-2300 merely underpinned the exact reason why I went for the JA80's in the first place. The Krell thoughts probably really are just a case of "boys with toys"...