Bottlehead Forum

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: mozarti on September 25, 2014, 08:44:55 AM

Title: amp recommendations
Post by: mozarti on September 25, 2014, 08:44:55 AM
Fellow Bottleheads,

My Llano trinity amp went defunct. Does anyone know a good technician in Boston area who might be able to fix it? I have taken it to Audiolab and their technician was zapped by it couple of times and could not figure out what was wrong with it.

Alternatively I am in search of an amp that has minimum of 25 watts (but preferably one with more than 50 watts) to drive my VMPS speakers (626), so I was wondering whether you guys who have a taste for Bottlehead sound (I have a BEEPre) have any recommendations.  The absolute maximum is 4K but I would much prefer something cheaper.  On the cheaper side, I was intrigued by the Akitika amplifier, especially since it is DIY. On the more expensive side, I was intrigued by Nelson Pass's new F6, which uses a transformer for a voltage gain. But any thoughts about these or other suggestions would be most appreciated.

Title: Re: amp recommendations
Post by: fullheadofnothing on September 25, 2014, 09:00:51 AM
Try Q Audio in Cambridge or the place on Harvard Ave just north of Coolidge Corner (don't remember the name, but it's a good excuse to go to Rami's).
Title: Re: amp recommendations
Post by: mozarti on September 25, 2014, 12:23:50 PM
Thanks, Josh.  I could always use an excuse to go Rami's. 
Title: Re: amp recommendations
Post by: KevO on September 26, 2014, 09:39:53 AM
I have no suggestion for repairs, but I can say Firstwatt amplifiers are fantastic. Make sure to get enough power for your speakers. I have an F3, which is only 10 watts, but the sound is very nice. Puts out lots of heat being Class A.

I also can recommend the Odyssey Stratos. Mine is 10 years old and is playing right now. 150 watts and still costs about $1400. Has been a wonderful match for my Spendor S3/5 mini monitors which are about 84db efficient. Runs quite cool.

Or buy 4 Paramounts from Doc.

-Kevin