These pairs are my only(1) amps in current use, driving my Magneplanar 20.7s.. Both of these sound excellent, and I’m beginning to realise that I can’t determine any sonic differences between them.. Every time I think I hear a difference, I connect the other, and the two sound the same.
Maybe my ears are getting worse?
Comments? Criticizems? Suggestions?
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(1) I do have other amps, both Atma-Spheres–MA-1/3.1/Improveds and Class Ds–but they’ll be leaving soon, I hope.
I had M1200s before and they sounded great for sure. Still, BHK600s are four time more expensive, and they should sound much better. I seem to remember a few had upgraded from M1200 to BHK600 before. Maybe they can give some feedbacks.
Compared to my current Gryphon D333 amp, M1200s had a flatter soundstage, and the midrange and mid-bass lacked the crucial layers and textures which resulted in a less life-like presentation. I assume BHK600 would do better in these areas.
TYVM, d, those are good observations.. Your descriptions of subtle differences certainly speak to my question about possibly losing some hearing acuity.. Sure wish I still had those Pass XA60.8s, but I can’t have everything all at once. I’ll have to get my golden-eared buddy over here again to listen to amplifiers.. Here’s a pic of my pairs-plus-one.
If both amps are level-matched and running clean (no clipping), they can sound basically the same. That’s usually a good sign, not bad ears.
If you want to confirm: do a quick volume-matched blind A/B.
With 20.7s, biggest changes often come more from room/placement/headroom than amp character.
I decided weeks ago that the '600s are TOO HOT for this desertrat and have retired them.. Yesterday I carefully compared my M1200s to my new class-D monoamps…
…known hereafter as the CDA Reds.. The contest was very close, but I’ve decided to keep the M1200s.. In fact, I’ve just purchased another silver pair of M1200s that I’ll have improved to a greater degree than my current ones are.
We’ll see how this goes, but right now I’m very happy with the M1200s.
And from what I understand, any of the new PSA amps will run too hot for me…oh well…
Had to laugh at that one–‘you know a guy?’ Straight out of a movie.
I have an audio guru; he’s been my go-to audio guy for decades, and he has a 100%-perfect record with me.. That means that what he recommends for me has always worked, and when he recommends against something and I do it anyway, I end up undoing or redoing it.. His name is Jeffrey Glowacki, and he owns and operates Sonic Craft in Wichita, TX. He sells audio parts and services.
My current M1200s have new coupling caps (top-grade-5 'styrene-and-tin-foil MultiCaps) in the original value of 1uF/200V, CARDAS’s best binding posts, and a large piece of SoundCoat-the-Thicker on the underside of the quite-ringing top cover.
The new ones will have, probably, (1) the very expensive SoniCap Platinum (Teflon-alloy/tin-foil) coupling caps, (2) one pair of the same CARDAS binding posts with the other pair unwired and maybe even removed, (3) the wiring to the single pair of posts replaced with super-hi-quality UPOCC Neotec silver-in-Teflon wire, soldered in place, (4) some improvement of the front-end-hi-Voltage supply, that being main HV caps replaced with film caps or at least bypassed with super-hi-quality film caps such as large MultiCap 'styrenes, (5) some SoundCoat-the-Thicker, and whatever else he deems useful.
You’re welcome to message me if you’d like to be informed as this project proceeds.
I’ll have to get my golden-eared buddy over here again to listen to amplifiers.. Here’s a pic of my pairs-plus-one.
