Whether you fancy tubes or transistors, amps are essential components of an audio system. In fact, at our house, I usually have a few that I’m swapping in or out, especially when reviewing other components. Here’s a look back at five really special amps that I’ve had the pleasure to review. Just a note, there are no integrated amps below. I plan to do a throwback post just for them soon.
And yes, those are the Butler Audio Monad A100s in the picture above that I reviewed recently. They are my most recent audio system acquisition, but I really just couldn’t help myself.
Pass Labs XA25 Pure Class A Power Amplifier
Since Pass Labs is located in the Gold Country here in California, we feel like they are almost our neighbors. In fact, we visited their factory right after we started this website (you can read that post here).
Pass amps have always had a reputation for being heavy, but that’s not the case with the XA25. Nelson Pass says, “The XA25 is intended to appeal to those wanting the performance without the frills in a chassis that will fit on a shelf and can be lifted without the assistance of ruffians.”
The XA25 is not an “entry-level” model, but it is a more affordable, smaller and lighter Pass Labs Class A power amplifier. It involves me in the music better than most other amps. As I said in the review, “This kind of musical journey doesn’t come easily. I think part of what makes this possible is how quiet this amp is. The music was very dynamic, robust, and most importantly it sounded alive.” You can read the full review here.
Nelson Pass’ First Watt SIT-3 Amplifier
There are two things that I will say right off the bat about this amp. First it is perhaps the amp that I most looked forward to reviewing, and second, it’s probably never leaving my system. This is the legendary Nelson Pass’ design, and I happen to know that he personally put together the one that I own. And, even though I’ve owned it for a few years now, every time I sit down to listen to it, it awes me to think that I am listening to an amp that Nelson Pass himself built.
Nelson once said, “There is no such thing as a perfect amplifier. All audiophiles and their associated equipment have specific needs, but in each case, there is such a thing as a best amplifier — the one that makes you happy.” This amp makes me happy, and you can read more about how it sounds in my review here.
LTA Ultralinear Amplifier
As you probably know, Mark Schneider founded Linear Tube Audio (LTA) in 2015 to manufacture David Berning’s designs. This amp was specifically designed for high-efficiency speakers. Its topology delivers a less forward sounding presentation, which is still very accurate and detailed with a big dose of realism.
As I said in my review, “I like this amp. I like it a lot. If you have high-efficiency speakers and you don’t want to spend five figures on an amp that weighs a ton and heats up your room, then you need to hear this amp. There are very few SET amps that can stay in the game with the Ultralinear.”
TriangleArt Reference Tube Monoblock Amps
Tom Vu, the owner and founder of TriangleArt, designed and voiced these amps. I can say with confidence that they are the best KT88 tube amplifiers I have ever heard by a long shot! Everything Tom designs and makes has superb fit and finish, and he is someone who knows what real music sounds like.
As I wrote in my review, “I have listened to the TriangleArt Reference amps on five different speaker systems, and I can say that with each one, the amps allowed the speakers to have real finesse, articulation, detail, and refinement. These Reference amps produce the kind of imaging and soundstage specificity I expect from a world-class system.”
Vinnie Rossi L2 Signature Monoblock Amps
Vinnie Rossi‘s L2 Signature Monoblocks stand out with their seductive sound, their incredible soundstaging abilities and their wonderful bass with timbre and texture. I knew these amps were good even before I reviewed them in my system. I had already given awards to several rooms at shows where they were part of the system.
As I said in the review after having some one-on-one time with them in my own system, “It was a pleasure to review Vinnie Rossi’s L2 Signature Monoblock amplifier. At $15,995, there is a lot of competition, but the L2s stand out in their seductive sound, their incredible soundstaging abilities and their wonderful bass with timbre and texture.”
