Anybody has tried comparing the Arcam A85 SS amp to the ST-70 or Pas-3 tube amps? Would love to hear your opinion.
I posted listening notes on the Arcam A85 at
http://groups.yahoo.com/pinoydiophiles. Search for it in the archives.
As for ST70, it's at
http://www.wiredstate.com/pinoydiophiles.
Even if I did not A-B the 2 in the same system using the same music, the difference between the two is just so obvious that I feel confident sharing what I think about them even without a direct A-B.
The A85 is a classic S/S sounding amp. It is authoritative, fast, has very good control of the frequency extremes. Don't match it w/ thin or lean sounding speakers or you'll get a tinny sound.
The ST70 is a classic tube sounding amp. It is warm, lush, what it gives to the A85 in the top and bottom end it regains convincingly in the midrange. Don't match this w/ power hungy speakers.
If these 2 are on your shortlist, I suggest you continue listening. These are two very, very different sounding amps and if you've shortlisted them, you probably haven't really decided on the sound you are after.
Tube amps closer to the Arcam's sound would be some Audio Research, and maybe Sonic Frontiers.
S/S amps closer to the ST70's sound would be Electrocompaniet, Audio Analogue, Musical Fidelity (especially the older Class A models).
Hope this helps.