T+A HV amps - any users out there?

[Gwantommo]

I'm considering a change from a 300b SET to a high end SS for general ease of use and to get more dynamics. The T+A HV integrated has caught my eye and reviews seem to suggest it crosses the tube/SS divide really well. Would be great to hear anyones experiences with these amps as there's not much info out there.

Vitus, Gryphon and Pass etc are all possibilities as well.

 

[garn63]

I'm considering a change from a 300b SET to a high end SS for general ease of use and to get more dynamics. The T+A HV integrated has caught my eye and reviews seem to suggest it crosses the tube/SS divide really well. Would be great to hear anyones experiences with these amps as there's not much info out there.

Vitus, Gryphon and Pass etc are all possibilities as well.

Theres a guy that's just posted on a thread (somewhere) and he has completed his T+A stack. You will have to find the thread though. He must rate them.

 

[simon g]

I use the T+A PA2500R, which uses much of the same tech as the HV range. A much overlooked amplifier in the UK!

You would certainly enjoy a vast increase in power, amongst much else. Not directed at you, but I often read of people looking for amps properly to control their speakers, yet no mention of T+A. Mine is rated at 140W in to 8 ohms, 280W in to 4 ohms and 560W in to 2 ohms! Very few amps can achieve that.

This power is lost on my speakers, which are 92db/w/m sensitivity, so I doubt I ever use much more than a couple of watts! However, the amp is capable of amazing resolution and control, without being sterile in any way. Neutral presentation, certainly not warm, so be aware of that. It will easily fully allow your source to shine through. The space between instruments is astonishing. It also has much of the delicacy of valves.

Build quality is e exemplary. Attention to design detail abounds. Connectivity and flexibility is first rate. Excellent display and the volume works well (no simple pot here). Adjustable and defeatable tone controls; you can even adjust tone by channel! Adjustable and defeatable loudness control as well, which can be useful for low level lustening.

Two sets of speaker outputs, separately controlled.

I've heard a Gryphon Diablo 120; the PA2500R is quite similar in SQ, imo, but it's smaller and lighter (weight is a critical factor for me). The T+A is quite a way away from the Pass Labs sound, particularly their Class A designs.

Link below for tjose interested.

Let me know if you need any specific info.

https://www.ta-hifi.de/en/audiosystems/r-series/pa-2500-r-integrated-amplifier/

 

[Gwantommo]

I use the T+A PA2500R, which uses much of the same tech as the HV range. A much overlooked amplifier in the UK!

You would certainly enjoy a vast increase in power, amongst much else. Not directed at you, but I often read of people looking for amps properly to control their speakers, yet no mention of T+A. Mine is rated at 140W in to 8 ohms, 280W in to 4 ohms and 560W in to 2 ohms! Very few amps can achieve that.

This power is lost on my speakers, which are 92db/w/m sensitivity, so I doubt I ever use much more than a couple of watts! However, the amp is capable of amazing resolution and control, without being sterile in any way. Neutral presentation, certainly not warm, so be aware of that. It will easily fully allow your source to shine through. The space between instruments is astonishing. It also has much of the delicacy of valves.

Build quality is e exemplary. Attention to design detail abounds. Connectivity and flexibility is first rate. Excellent display and the volume works well (no simple pot here). Adjustable and defeatable tone controls; you can even adjust tone by channel! Adjustable and defeatable loudness control as well, which can be useful for low level lustening.

Two sets of speaker outputs, separately controlled.

I've heard a Gryphon Diablo 120; the PA2500R is quite similar in SQ, imo, but it's smaller and lighter (weight is a critical factor for me). The T+A is quite a way away from the Pass Labs sound, particularly their Class A designs.

Link below for tjose interested.

Let me know if you need any specific info.

https://www.ta-hifi.de/en/audiosystems/r-series/pa-2500-r-integrated-amplifier/

Thanks Simon this is really useful info. My sources - phono stage and DAC - are both valve based so I'm of the mind that the neutrality of the T+A should be a great match and give me better dynamics and bite whilst retaining the warmth the sources provide.

How do you find it at low listening levels? Last time I tried a good SS was an Audi Flight which was awesome but lost all it's magic at late night volumes.

 

[antonio66]

I would try and hear the Audionet Watt intergrated as well. When my brother wanted to change from valve (VTL power amp)) to SS we had the T & A intergrated on home loan, very nice amp but we didn't think it as good as the VTL. In the end went for the Audionet AMP 1 V2 power amp and used the dCS dac as the volume control.

 

[simon g]

I would try and hear the Audionet Watt intergrated as well. When my brother wanted to change from valve (VTL power amp)) to SS we had the T & A intergrated on home loan, very nice amp but we didn't think it as good as the VTL. In the end went for the Audionet AMP 1 V2 power amp and used the dCS dac as the volume control.

Audionet are certainly great amps; I had a SAM 20SE for a while. I did consider a Watt, but justbtoo heavy for me. Plus I felt that T+A offer better and more extensive support. Certainly worth a try!

 

[simon g]

Thanks Simon this is really useful info. My sources - phono stage and DAC - are both valve based so I'm of the mind that the neutrality of the T+A should be a great match and give me better dynamics and bite whilst retaining the warmth the sources provide.

How do you find it at low listening levels? Last time I tried a good SS was an Audi Flight which was awesome but lost all it's magic at late night volumes.

Low level performance is, of course, the speaker & amp combination. I find the T+A excellent in that regard. Even at low levels, dynamics are preserved. I think this may be down to the design of the power supplies in the T+A.

 

[Gwantommo]

Very good to know, it’s really important to me.

 

[Gwantommo]

I would try and hear the Audionet Watt intergrated as well. When my brother wanted to change from valve (VTL power amp)) to SS we had the T & A intergrated on home loan, very nice amp but we didn't think it as good as the VTL. In the end went for the Audionet AMP 1 V2 power amp and used the dCS dac as the volume control.

I have to say I really liked my old VTL as well. Always fancied trying one of their good pre and power combos. Do you remember which T+A you tried and what the differences were?

 

[ChemMan]

I'm considering a change from a 300b SET to a high end SS for general ease of use and to get more dynamics. The T+A HV integrated has caught my eye and reviews seem to suggest it crosses the tube/SS divide really well. Would be great to hear anyones experiences with these amps as there's not much info out there.

Vitus, Gryphon and Pass etc are all possibilities as well.

FWIW. I'm on the Audiomarkt site daily looking at second hand equipment. No one company's products are more on offer than T+A.

I can't say what this means as it is a predominantly German site and T+A is a German company. My gut tells me that because so much equipment is available for resale -- I'd pass. A gut feeling.

I've heard some other German made gear, Audio Physics speakers and Octave amps which also get good reviews and I didn't care for them either. YMMV. I also didn't think Gryphon was worth 15K.

The Pass labs Int-60 was one of the finer amps I've heard. Definitely the best Integrated.

 

[simon g]

FWIW. I'm on the Audiomarkt site daily looking at second hand equipment. No one company's products are more on offer than T+A.

I can't say what this means as it is a predominantly German site and T+A is a German company. My gut tells me that because so much equipment is available for resale -- I'd pass. A gut feeling.

I've heard some other German made gear, Audio Physics speakers and Octave amps which also get good reviews and I didn't care for them either. YMMV. I also didn't think Gryphon was worth 15K.

The Pass labs Int-60 was one of the finer amps I've heard. Definitely the best Integrated.

That's like saying that you shouldn't buy Naim kit as there's so much of it for sale in the UK.

 

[Gwantommo]

FWIW. I'm on the Audiomarkt site daily looking at second hand equipment. No one company's products are more on offer than T+A.

I can't say what this means as it is a predominantly German site and T+A is a German company. My gut tells me that because so much equipment is available for resale -- I'd pass. A gut feeling.

I've heard some other German made gear, Audio Physics speakers and Octave amps which also get good reviews and I didn't care for them either. YMMV. I also didn't think Gryphon was worth 15K.

The Pass labs Int-60 was one of the finer amps I've heard. Definitely the best Integrated.

Interesting info, thanks. The Pass is also one of interest, they always seem to get very good reviews and are touted as a good valve alternative. Sounds like they take a day to warm up though which is a bit frustrating especially now the electric bills so ridiculous!

 

[hearhere]

I'm considering a change from a 300b SET to a high end SS for general ease of use and to get more dynamics. The T+A HV integrated has caught my eye and reviews seem to suggest it crosses the tube/SS divide really well. Would be great to hear anyones experiences with these amps as there's not much info out there.

Vitus, Gryphon and Pass etc are all possibilities as well.

Another German amplifier you may like to consider, particularly as you seem to favour the use of valves is the AVM range. Some use a valve in their preamp stages, eg the AVM CS 8.3.

Do you not think that an increase in sound quality reaching your ears may be achieved by a greater investment in speakers rather than amplifier? I only mention this as you seem to be looking at amps costing as much as your speakers, whereas most audiophiles seem to spent 2 to 3 times their amp cost on their speakers. In my case (admittedly somewhat extreme and likely to be changed in favour of electronics), my speakers cost about 7 times as much as my amp inc DAC and streamer.

When you have a short list of suitable amps (on paper and in reviews), you surely must try them in your own room with your own speakers. Some may turn out surprisingly disappointing, whereas you may find an outsider wins you over. That was certainly my experience when home demo’ing several amps a couple of years ago – I chose an amp I thought would be way down the scale when put against others that cost a lot more and perhaps SHOULD have been the winner! Happy hunting.

 

[antonio66]

I have to say I really liked my old VTL as well. Always fancied trying one of their good pre and power combos. Do you remember which T+A you tried and what the differences were?

I cannot remember the model number (5-6 yrs ago), price wise £13-14K, sound was what I'd call safe, the VTL was just a better all round amplifier imo.

 

[ChemMan]

That's like saying that you shouldn't buy Naim kit as there's so much of it for sale in the UK.

You're right. You shouldn't.

 

[Gwantommo]

Another German amplifier you may like to consider, particularly as you seem to favour the use of valves is the AVM range. Some use a valve in their preamp stages, eg the AVM CS 8.3.

Do you not think that an increase in sound quality reaching your ears may be achieved by a greater investment in speakers rather than amplifier? I only mention this as you seem to be looking at amps costing as much as your speakers, whereas most audiophiles seem to spent 2 to 3 times their amp cost on their speakers. In my case (admittedly somewhat extreme and likely to be changed in favour of electronics), my speakers cost about 7 times as much as my amp inc DAC and streamer.

When you have a short list of suitable amps (on paper and in reviews), you surely must try them in your own room with your own speakers. Some may turn out surprisingly disappointing, whereas you may find an outsider wins you over. That was certainly my experience when home demo’ing several amps a couple of years ago – I chose an amp I thought would be way down the scale when put against others that cost a lot more and perhaps SHOULD have been the winner! Happy hunting.

I'm a bit trapped with speakers. My listening room is pretty small and pretty much everything above what I have now are huge great things for big rooms with plenty of breathing space. The Audiovectors sound wonderful and are designed to sit close to walls which is very handy.

Definitely going to try a few and see how the fit the room. I also went through a lot of amps a while back and settled on the 300b SET, but of course the itch has me now to see if it makes sense to move up the ladder.

 

[Gwantommo]

I cannot remember the model number (5-6 yrs ago), price wise £13-14K, sound was what I'd call safe, the VTL was just a better all round amplifier imo.

At that price it's probably the integrated I've been looking at. You've got me thinking about VTL gear again now, I always enjoyed my IT-85 so would be interesting to move up their range into the higher end pre & powers

 

[hiesteem]

T+A is undoubtedly good equipment. It makes sense there is a lot of their second-hand equipment on a German site given that they have an extensive range throughout the price scale.
What you tend to get with the German amplifiers, is very high build quality and the subsequent power which comes with it.
Consequently their sound signatures are clean and clear. What I term as forth right. Some might say neutral.

 

[dave]

Bakoon or its successor Enleum are supposed to be good.

 

[antonio66]

At that price it's probably the integrated I've been looking at. You've got me thinking about VTL gear again now, I always enjoyed my IT-85 so would be interesting to move up their range into the higher end pre & powers

The VTL power amp was an excellent amplifier, he just wanted to get back to SS due to having problems with other valve products.