The perfect amplifier

[plastic penguin]

A hypothetical question, and not some half a million pound type question.

If you could have an amp made bespoke within a given budget what would look and sound like?

For me it would have to sound like the Leema, with a great built-in phono stage and perhaps a top-notch DAC built-in. Lookwise, probably need to have the aesthetics of an Accuphase or a Marantz receiver - certainly retro.

Possibly like this:

 

[Anonymous]

A hypothetical question, and not some half a million pound type question.

If you could have an amp made bespoke within a given budget what would look and sound like?

For me it would have to sound like the Leema, with a great built-in phono stage and perhaps a top-notch DAC built-in. Lookwise, probably need to have the aesthetics of an Accuphase or a Marantz receiver - certainly retro.

Possibly like this:

Hello PP,I used to have an alchemist nemesis amp with fantastic heat sinks as part of their design. Now something like that with some vu meters. I always thought alchemists designs were so different compared to other hi fi. 🙂

 

[eggontoast]

Lookwise, probably need to have the aesthetics of an Accuphase or a Marantz receiver - certainly retro.

Possibly like this:

Not like a Pioneer then

 

[eggontoast]

or Sansui

 

[Anonymous]

I would go for a high end musical fidelity amp such as the m6i, i have been a fan of the mf sound since i owned some of the origianal x-series, i havnt listened to the m6i, i would hope it has that typical mf warmth but without being to laid back, it look's good, clean, simple style.

 

[moon]

a good quality valve amp,

 

[Electro]

Electrocompaniet Nemo 😛ray:

 

[chebby]

An invisible (or barely visible as possible) amp.

That goes for everything else in the system. If a hifi has to be seen then it should be of high quality build and be of such impeccable design that it looks great even to people who don't know what it is.

Manufacturers - most of them - don't get this. They are still knocking out stuff that only looks passable when contrasted to the sheer ugliness of most of the equipment racks designed to support them!

Good thing about my Marantz all-in-one is that - despite hardly being a candidate for a design museum - it's visual affront is limited to just the one box and mitigated slightly by curved corners, an overhang over the cables and a glossy black top.

Yes, I too have a bit of a 'thing' for late 1970s hifi gear and like the visual cues that brands like Accuphase and Luxman bring to some of their integrated amps. Even If I could afford them, they would have no place in my living room. Technology nostalgia is best kept in the study or 'den' or library* or somewhere else that one can be a gear nerd in private.

Valve amps (with the aesthetics of a miniature oil refinery or chemical plant at night) should be kept right out where everyone can see them, all the time, just in case they set fire to stuff.

*If one can easily afford Accuphase to satisfy nostalgia, then one can afford a study or library to indulge in private.

 

[Overdose]

As I like to listen to my music and not look at my kit, the amplifier would blend in to its surroundings or be invisible. It wouldn't have a sound per se, as I think that, that is also something that should be transparent.

Now if it 'had' to be on show I'd like it to look something like this.....

 

[plastic penguin]

The idea for the thread came about due to a conversation Mrs. P and I had last night. I seem to remember, about 15 years ago, can't remember whether it was mag or a programme, about their ideal woman/man. If you was get your favourites parts of the body eg. legs of Pamela Anderson*, hair of Toyah Wilcox*, smile of Dawn French* etc etc... oddly, when a computer image was made of these favoured parts, the person scarily resembled the TV presenter Lorraine Kelly**. At the time she was the ideal woman.

So I thought if you were a sonic Frankenstein and able to produce the ideal or perfect amplifier, what would it look like. Some good answers, others unimaginative.

*These are just the names I've plucked from thin air, can't remember who they were exactly.

**Absolutely nothing wrong with Lorraine Kelly, before anyone takes it the wrong way. She's very attractive.

 

[plastic penguin]

An invisible (or barely visible as possible) amp.

That goes for everything else in the system. If a hifi has to be seen then it should be of high quality build and be of such impeccable design that it looks great even to people who don't know what it is.

Manufacturers - most of them - don't get this. They are still knocking out stuff that only looks passable when contrasted to the sheer ugliness of most of the equipment racks designed to support them!

Good thing about my Marantz all-in-one is that - despite hardly being a candidate for a design museum - it's visual affront is limited to just the one box and mitigated slightly by curved corners, an overhang over the cables and a glossy black top.

Yes, I too have a bit of a 'thing' for late 1970s hifi gear and like the visual cues that brands like Accuphase and Luxman bring to some of their integrated amps. Even If I could afford them, they would have no place in my living room. Technology nostalgia is best kept in the study or 'den' or library* or somewhere else that one can be a gear nerd in private.

Valve amps (with the aesthetics of a miniature oil refinery or chemical plant at night) should be kept right out where everyone can see them, all the time, just in case they set fire to stuff.

*If one can easily afford Accuphase to satisfy nostalgia, then one can afford a study or library to indulge in private.

Not sure whether it is technology nostalgia. Personally speaking I think the old receivers and integrated amps, like vintage cars, have an individualism and/or solidity to them. If I had the money and/or the natural inclination, my above examples would come pretty close. BTW, I agree wholeheartedly that most modern designs are bland at best: Naim, Nad, Rotel and even Leema have left a lot to be desired in the beauty stakes, although I purchsed the Leema, partly, because it looked the best of a bad bunch.

But if there was an amp that had all the 'Bells and Whistles' (and sound quality) of your Marantz and the looks of Accuphase with the VU wattage meters, that would be, for me, a no-brainer.

 

[Overdose]

Some good answers, others unimaginative.

I dunno, I quite liked the look of the 'Aquariamp'.

 

[plastic penguin]

Some good answers, others unimaginative.

I dunno, I quite liked the look of the 'Aquariamp'.

Not yours, OD. However, I can see a couple of slight problems with your design, namely water and electricity. Unless they come with rubber boots and gloves, of course...:doh:

 

[MUSICRAFT]

Not perfect but the excellent the Plinius Hiato 🙂 The Hiato has a superb design and with a performance to match. As was said in a review "it loves teaching loudspeakers how to behave" and "with dynamics it throws lightening bolts"

Thanks

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[Overdose]

Electrocompaniet Nemo 😛ray:

He'd look lovely in the Aquariamp and driving some Nautilus speakers........ :cheers:

 

[Electro]

Electrocompaniet Nemo 😛ray:

He'd look lovely in the Aquariamp and driving some Nautilus speakers........ :cheers:

Perhaps I should have the Electrocompaniet Nemo's redesigned in casework like this 🙂

 

[altruistic.lemon]

Electrocompaniet Nemo 😛ray:

Anything by Electrocopaniet in fact. Sadly can't afford one for now.

 

[Anonymous]

Built into the speakers, one for each driver, tuned perfectly for the job...of course. 🙂

 

[altruistic.lemon]

Built into the speakers, one for each driver, tuned perfectly for the job...of course. 🙂

Fully agree. Those Meridian actives are something special. Nearly as good as the maggies, in fact!