Whats the most versatile Amplifier you own and why ?

[Audio Al]

I was thinking about this with my amps , I think my most versatile amp must be my Audio Innovations 500 valve ame

Why ?

It has 4 / 8 / 16 ohm speaker outlets
A built in MM phono stage ( MC with a step up transformer )
Valve lovelyness as std
Looks great
Sounds great

and up to now has been very reliable . Its in my ststem at the moments ( lucky me ) :D

[Macca]

XTZ A100 - can be used as an integrated, pre or power amp. Built in DAC with coax and optical inputs, two low level subwoofer outputs, MM and MC phono stages and will drive any speaker. Remote control too.

That's got to be hard to beat.

[YNWaN]

My Lab.gruppen ipd1200. It's very slim, very powerful and has full DSP control on its input so you can dial in a crossover function, notch filters, delay etc.

However, I'm not intending to use on anything but the bass drivers....

[Audio Al]

XTZ A100 - can be used as an integrated, pre or power amp. Built in DAC with coax and optical inputs, two low level subwoofer outputs, MM and MC phono stages and will drive any speaker. Remote control too.

That's got to be hard to beat.

Mmm , thats interesting , lots more options than my 500 :hmm:

:christmas:

[Macca]

Mmm , thats interesting , lots more options than my 500 :hmm:

:christmas:

No valves in it, though. I suppose you could always add a buffer if you are that way inclined. Oh forgot it is switchable between AB and class A working as well.

[Audio Al]

No valves in it, though. I suppose you could always add a buffer if you are that way inclined. Oh forgot it is switchable between AB and class A working as well.

Do you own one Martin ?

[Macca]

Do you own one Martin ?

Yes, I use it on the TV system where the DAC comes in quite handy. Was just under £800 new bought direct from the manufacturer in Sweden. They don't make them anymore though.

[walpurgis]

My JVC AX-A441 integrated I guess. It's powerful enough, has loads of inputs including a very good MM/MC phono input and it sounds excellent.

If you want one, you're probably out of luck. They're mega rare.

[Yomanze]

Hmm my amp isn’t very versatile as it’s just a box. It will drive anything well apart from some of the meaner Apogees though.

[Frazeur1]

Easy, my Naim Uniti. It has a CD player, streamer, DAC, FM tuner, preamp, amplifier, all in one nice sized box. I call it the “Swiss Army knife” of audio gear for me.

[Barry]

My Quad 510 monoblock power amps. They will drive any load between 4 and 100 Ohms, and being transformer coupled (both on the input as well as the output), one can 'stack' up to ten amps together in various series/parallel combination to supply up to 1,000 Watts. The input is fully balanced, with adjustable sensitivity.

As to versatile preamplifiers, well I guess that would have to be a Quad 44. It has five inputs whose sensitivity (both input and output levels) and equalisation can be changed through changing plug in circuit boards and through DIP switch settings, as well as a versitile set of filter functions in both roll-off point and slope. The 'Tilt' control is useful, when used judiciously and in small amounts, to correct for either an overbright or a 'dull' recording. All of the frequency adjustment controls can be switched out of the circuit if they are not needed. And it has a stereo/mono switch which I like to use when playing mono records. I don't use it much as I prefer to use a Mark Levinson preamp which has fully dual-differential balanced inputs and outputs, although as far as functions are concerned it is less versatile than the Quad, but it has a better sound performance.

[Pigmy Pony]

Mine can be operated from my Amazon Echo, can be sited on the floor or on a shelf or table, you can use 40, 60 or 100 watt bulbs and will take a variety of shades....oh sorry, you said amp

[Neil McCauley]

XTZ A100 - can be used as an integrated, pre or power amp. Built in DAC with coax and optical inputs, two low level subwoofer outputs, MM and MC phono stages and will drive any speaker. Remote control too.

That's got to be hard to beat.

A great pity they are no longer in the amplifier business; only speakers these days.

[Neil McCauley]

Probably our Musical Fidelity M6 Encore 225.

Why?

Because (from What Hi-Fi?) review:
What is Musical Fidelity’s M6 Encore 225? It’s a modern, premium all-in-one, which includes every bit of electronic flexibility you need to make up a system (bar speakers). There was a time when a product such as this would be seen as a compromise choice – one for those that prioritise neatness over performance. Such a product would also have been a cheaper alternative to a quality separates set-up. But one look at the Encore’s hefty price is enough to suggest there’s something more ambitious going on here.

And MF say:


The Encore Connect is an audio preamplifier/source component allowing you to keep all your music in one place. It accepts almost any conceivable analog or digital audio source. It is also compatible with many network speakers, such as Sonos. There is a very clear, large, high-resolution full colour display so you can see what’s going on.
In Brief


Easy and intuitive to use
Huge connectivity
Upgradeable 1TB internal storage for over 2500 CDs (bit perfect ripping from CD drive)
Streaming from Spotify, Qobuz and Tidal
Analog preamp providing fixed and variable output
Compatible with many network speakers, such as Sonos
Large, high resolution, full colour display
Control with either IR handset or Apps (both Apple and Android)
Dual core 64bit Intel CPU - as future proof as we can make it
32 Bit 384k DAC


Lest some of you are wondering if we have any connection with MF, we don't and so please don't feel the forgoing is an advert. Apart from anything else, we are not commenting on the sound, merely responding to the question.

However, from a bygone era, the most flexible pre-amp we have ever encountered is the ultra rare (between Lecson and Meridian, time-wise) the Boothroyd Stuart / Orpheus preamp. HP still has his.

[Macca]

A great pity they are no longer in the amplifier business; only speakers these days.

They did a CD player as well but it was several grand IIRC

[sq225917]

I only have one shirt, and it's hairy...

[martian sunrise]

XTZ A100 - can be used as an integrated, pre or power amp. Built in DAC with coax and optical inputs, two low level subwoofer outputs, MM and MC phono stages and will drive any speaker. Remote control too.

That's got to be hard to beat.

If you ever want to sell that, let me know

[Macca]

If you ever want to sell that, let me know

Aye, will do.

[oldius]

My Nakamichi CA7 and PA7 combination probably. The power amp will drive pretty much anything and the preamp features an adjustable gain and capacitance MC and MM phono stage, tone controls and various other features I have never used. Oh, and remote control too!

The Lentek integrated has a large number of phono MM and MC adjustments, sounds great, and drives all my speakers with aplomb. The Nakamichi takes the versatility crown though on account of its driving ability.

[paulf-2007]

Probably our Musical Fidelity M6 Encore 225.

Why?

Because (from What Hi-Fi?) review:

And MF say:



Lest some of you are wondering if we have any connection with MF, we don't and so please don't feel the forgoing is an advert. Apart from anything else, we are not commenting on the sound, merely responding to the question.

However, from a bygone era, the most flexible pre-amp we have ever encountered is the ultra rare (between Lecson and Meridian, time-wise) the Boothroyd Stuart / Orpheus preamp. HP still has his.
One box job done hobby over for many

[alphaGT]

I’m not sure what you mean by versatile? But I have owned many amps. Technics, Sansui, Sony, Adcom, Forte’, maybe a few others I’m forgetting? But everything I’ve ever owned was pure junk compared to my Krell! FPB-300, It’s a beast at 300 watts pure class A, but I’m sure some of the smaller Krell’s could be just as satisfying when matched with the right speakers. And that’s the versatility, it would make an excellent match for almost any speaker. Even those Apogees, and the amazing part is that used it was not that outrageously expensive. I bought it used at one forth the original asking price, and it was still a major purchase for me. But I have not a single regret, even if I ever do own another amp, I do not think I will ever part with this one. Mostly because it’s too heavy to move! And it’s helping me heat the place. But it is true love, I only wish I had bought it 20 years ago.


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[wee tee cee]

TQ Claymore

Fab class a headphone section

Best usb DAC ive ever used

Great phono section

great as a pre but doesnt lack anything power wise---has transformed my 57S and Spebdor sp1s

I have two-One hot rodded by Colin Wonfor as it was his own amp

The other completely standard.

The remote control is a bit temperamental-but het ho!!!

[mikeyb]

A great pity they are no longer in the amplifier business; only speakers these days.Power amp version for sale on the Wam, it's the better half of the amp as the pre section wasn't considered anything special if I remember right.