UNCOMPLICATED PLEASURES: Van Alstine Set 120 Amplifier

[@Gnofg]

I own a Van Alstine Super Pas 3 and it has great sound. When you call him he picks up the phone. He is a great guy.

[@greenbeginner3353]

So good to see a Van Alstine product review. They deserve to be heard by anyone looking for solid simplicity in their audio system and no nonsense excellent sound.

[@jessetran5919]

I just picked up a pair of M225 Monoblocks from Frank Van Alstine yesterday. I first listened to them at Frank's house and they blew me away. High quality gear without any of the BS. Steve should interview Frank on the show because he's a really interesting guy who's been making gear for half a century.

[@bobb.9917]

The M225s look VERY interesting to me… I see a set of modern mono blocs in my future. I may buy a set of Kinki Studio EX-B7s, though. The two sets would really be a GREAT comparison review from a cost/form-factor, sound standpoint!

[@cameronkrause4712]

Yes, Steve, what's wrong with you? Please interview Frank Van Alstine asap.

[@briansilcox5720]

I bought a 1980s era Van Alstine amp built on a Dynaco ST 120 chassis last year. Said to need some repair, I knew nothing of it, but I was intrigued enough to give it a try. Called the Omega III, it was beautifully constructed. I contacted Frank via their forum, and he responded with a schematic, and several tips on common failures he knew of. I successfully determined what was required and have been enjoying my efforts thanks to Frank’s helpful inputs. 85 watts per channel at 8 ohms is a real power house for its size. No Schiit!

[@mrfrosty3]

I love the photo of Doug enjoying his amazing and impressive system. My fav of the series.

[@bradpyles5322]

Always loved anything by Van Alstine. I sold High end stuff for 10 years.

[@ryangonyer9498]

I absolutely love Van Alstine's equipment!!

[@barrychiarello8493]

I love this Company! I have bought stuff for 40 years!

[@jamesnelson8549]

I have a VanAlstine Synergy 450 amp & it is amazing! Drives my Maggie’s with ease!

[@flyingsquirrel575]

I’m pretty new to the fine audio world, but I have broad and deep experience in the geekery of wine and just a bit less in bicycles. I’ve been watching your videos for several months now with an eye toward building a system, albeit with limited resources. Several products mentioned in this price range seem like they’d be…just fine, perfectly okay. But the review of this amp tells me viscerally that this is the amp for my future system. After years of wading through glitzy, over-oaked, Paul Bunyan cabernets and slimy, too-much rancid butter chardonnays, and bikes with endless baubles that look cool and come with certified bragging rights at the bar but don’t do a thing for how the bike rides, this amp cuts through the noise, as it were, for me. It takes away decisions I don’t want or need to make. It’s the terrific, complete, you-keep-surprising-me-baby house wine that cuts out the desire or need to drink anything else, the bike that some pragmatic artist built and had the good sense to stop when it was enough and far from too much and it compels you to just go ride. I need a speaker and a streaming source to go with this amp. Same concept; thoughtful, and adherent to Occam’s Razor; only as complicated as they need to be. Suggestions welcome.

[@markflitz1772]

You won’t be disappointed with the Van Alstine. True to the music. A speaker that sounds great with this amp are the Zu Dirty Weekends. The Tekton Lore is great with this as well. A good bookshelf speaker would be the Polk R200. Or I’m a big fan of the Elac Uni-Fi reference as well. There are a lot of bargains to be had in the used market as well. Go listen to some systems. Find out what kind of sound you desire. Do Your Research. Good luck!!

[@ericfshook]

I've tried the AVA SET 120 Control Amplifier -- which I now own -- with ungodly expensive speakers, dacs, and turntables, and it held its own with esoteric company. Imagine a $1,200 amplifier pushing $40k speakers, with a $34k turntable and everything sounding damn near perfect. It's that capable.

[@fslim55]

Hi Eric. What's your take on SET 120 driving Zu Audio Druid V? How's the synergy like?

[@gw61]

Reach arounds, knob feel, and a Schiit sandwich, oh my

[@mikecees2230]

Reach around for a friend!

[@NocturneVid66]

Hi Steve, I've got to share some love for Frank Van Alstine. You should have mentioned his long career of offering lovely-sounding modifications to affordable Dynaco and Hafler gear, thus giving us audiophiles on a budget an entry into high quality sound. After my roommate mangled my strident Dynaco PAT-5 preamp., I sent it to Van Alstine for his Super-FET modification. He was appalled at the condition the unit was in but attempted the mod as a challenge. The Super-FET was a really amazing sounding preamp and a bargain at the price. I listened to that preamp for a decade and was always grateful that he fixed up my poor butchered preamp. I now have a Super PAS Three preamp that I listen to when in the mood.

[@martintodd9650]

Just for the record - Mine is - Dunlop Systemdek - with RB300 arm and Shure VMXR cartridge - into a NAD 1020B Preamp I recapped - 2 Krell power amps and some Heybrook HB1 speakers - sweet. Nice room that is dedicated to 2 channel - the benefit of being single, old and grey ! Greetings from Perth - Western Australia.

[@myu4039]

Heybrook speakers! I have a pair of HB3's . Not too many Heybrooks around!

[@jefftrout7697]

I've built the Audio by Van Alstine Super PAS 3 pre amp kit, no tone controls. Volume, balance and source, that's it. Wonderful sound, great value.

[@Gnofg]

I have one also. wonderful

[@vinylrules4838]

Great review Steve. Glad you reviewed the SET 120. You are not only the man, but the man with the coolest shirts!

[@nathanjones4039]

Frank is a great guy. I bought his Humdinger device as I had some toroidal transformer hum, he was open to my questions via email and phone and the device worked as advertised.

[@patrickc1699]

This reminds me my Croft Acoustic Integrated Amplifier. Simple and beautiful sound.

[@louisperlman8030]

The guy who got me into high end audio had VanAlstine electronics, also Proactive Tablette speakers and aTalisman S phono cartridge. Sounded really good, although my musical tastes at the time had zero overlap with his.

[@canjo7301]

Steve, very nice video review. It brought back some memories of a different time when real audiophiles would run the other way at the mere mention of remote controls and tone controls. Finally a mention of Fried or IMF. My real first step into better quality speakers coming from Rectilinear III's was TLS 50's, TLS 80's and the last Fried speaker I owned was after the IMF name rights blew up were his M2's. I became friends with Bud and visited the City Line Avenue workshop and offices many times. Bud was a trip...

[@terencemayo662]

My frieds still sound great!

[@socratesbsd]

Love AVA. I had an AVA Dynaco PAS3x back in the late 70s/early 80s. I gave some serious thought about buying this amp as the centerpice for my parents system

[@fzesgru]

OMG I love Audio by Van Alstine gear. I used an AVA Transcendence 8 tube preamp as my main squeeze for years. One of those things I regret selling! The Set 120 sounds like the quintessential minimalist design. The limited set of features includes great sound.

[@jC-kc4si]

Like a race car, built for a single purpose, optimized for peak performance.

[@user-od9iz9cv1w]

Sounds like a great little amp and a good honest value. Holly Cole's Temptation is clearly on my list when I am evaluating impact of changes to my system. Love the system of the day. That guy is having some fun with this hobby :)

[@OldTooly]

OH yes I am, even after over 60 years of audiophilia. LOL. New amps are in the works for the Tektons which are a design I worked on myself 20 years ago, but Eric of Tekton got them right. Wish I had a better camera but it still was usable.

[@user-od9iz9cv1w]

@@OldTooly It looks great. Keep it up!

[@jamieirwin6333]

Enjoy your reviews, I love to see inside the gear and quality of the parts used.

[@avahifi997]

Thanks Steve, really thoughtful review. No remote control because that requires an additional low voltage power supply. The amplifier has only a high voltage, high current power supply driving the main audio circuits. To add a low voltage supply would require a second low voltage power transformer and associated power supply, the receiver board which would interfere with the headphone jack, require changes to the faceplate and inner chassis, and the motor drive volume pot. Not really enough room for these additional parts and would be pretty expensive to execute. The SET 120 Control Amp pretty much follows the KISS standard (Keep It Simple Stupid) and does that in spades with the results you hear.

[@merrillaldrich9170]

This is great, with some Magnepans I could build an all-Minnesota system 😍

[@ufarkingicehole]

This will not drive Maggies well

[@merrillaldrich9170]

@@ufarkingicehole lucky for me I cannot afford either and this was just a passing fantasy 😆

[@minnesotawoodsman9982]

You could build an amazing all Minnesota system. The best I've heard have Audio Research amplification and large Magnepan in large listening rooms.

[@RumblestripDotNet]

@@ufarkingicehole you have experience with this?

[@ufarkingicehole]

@@bryanherr1093 👍

[@andymann4845]

There is a guy in Australia Richard McDonald who hand builds amps that don't have circuit boards and have only a volume control and input choice. His Amplifier is called the Quasimodo and it sounds amazing, of the 50+ amplifiers I have owned over the years his is the most spacious and lovely sounding amplifier I've ever heard. The detail is insane and when you listen to it, it is like walking through a soundscape, it's an incredible amp paired with the right speakers.

[@Phloored]

Hi. Any chance you have a contact method for mr McDonald? I am searching the web and nothing comes up. Do you know how to contact him?

[@philippebertrand3820]

Amazing viewer system of the day! Never heard about van Alstine, happy to discover.

[@user-ex9zm7bg3x]

love the carver gear

[@maxadams1298]

GREAT pleasures: your music choices here Steve; Holly and Toots are both sensational.

[@ttownscott]

I had Van Alstine upgrade my Dynaco ST-150 and I just love it to death now.

[@robertm8518]

I love that Holly Cole CD it’s an excellent recording!

[@linn4538]

Hah Hah! At 15, in 1979, my first serious audio piece was a Pioneer SX-1080. Loved the sound. Wow...takes me back. I washed dishes for 3 months to pay for that receiver (thank god it went on special just when I purchased it). :)

[@mattkalis1567]

Woodbury,MN! I had no idea! It is just a couple miles down Radio Drive from me. I drive by there several times per week. Now I will really need to consider buying locally!

[@pimianimavdo1523]

As someone who has done many post-amp processors, I totally dig the design concept of that amp. Looking forward to be able to try it as soon as I can. :) PS Groovy setup at the end. I'm no fan of the TekTon speakers, but I really dig the guts of this gear mix (plus a DBX dx5 for dynamic restoration... Nice!)

[@vladimirdorta6692]

Van Alstine power amplifiers are also great sounding and affordable: the SET 400, DVA SET 600, and DVA M225 are as good as or better than any amplifier out there.

[@bklynbass]

Any chance you could do a review of the Ultravalve amp? (Van Alstine’s modern take on the classic dynaco ST 70 which basically put Frank on the map with all the mods he came up with for them)

[@jamescox4823]

I have had the Ultravalve in my main sys for years. Its really good after you re-tube it.

[@bryanherr1093]

I believe it is out of stock now

[@dougg1075]

Always been intrigued by their stuff.

[@martinfox2244]

I have a factory super pas 3. I agree, great preamp.

[@jamescox4823]

I have this amp , and really enjoy it! I have his tube amp (Ultravalve) also its been in my main sys for years, now replaced by the SET 120

[@seanb3303]

How do they compare? Thanks

[@Phloored]

Interesting. I am considering both at the moment. What's the take away of your experience with them if you would ?

[@mikepaul2372]

Which DAC can be added to this so that I can connect my Mac Mini to a DAC to this AMP. Was told I needed an Amp with Volume control and Analog outputs. Wondering if someone has a set up where they are streaming Spotify, Tidal, Qobuz through? Thank you Steve from bringing an amp to us that some of us may not be familiar with!

[@cheapaudioman]

We were just talking about this thing on the patron zoom. Are you a wizard?

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

Yes

[@steveo8015]

Nice to see Van Alstine get some acknowledgement. Perhaps you could do a review of Belles, one of their Aria integrated amps for instance.

[@jim586]

Ah, now you’re talking! I had never even heard of Belles. My dealer loaned me the Aria integrated and I couldn’t believe that I could afford the standard of sound it produced. I’m in the UK which makes it even more remarkable. Steve, I would be very interested on how you think the Aria sits in the market place? Cheers

[@donivey2772]

Thinking the same thing as I listen to my Belles Aria integrated powering Rogers LS3/5a's. Sublime!

[@steveo8015]

@@jim586 I'm talking to you. Jim E! My experience is somewhat like yours. I knew the brand/name Belles, but had little knowledge of it. I drove over 3 1/2 hours to a dealer and listened to the Aria integrated through a pair of Vandersteen Treo's and as the cliche goes, my jaw dropped. My ears told me very quickly that what I was listening to was something special. I felt the connection to the music, and didn't want to stop listening but the place had already closed and the shop owner was nice enough not to to rush me. I bought it, have had it for 4 years and my speakers are Vandersteen 1Ci's and I love how they sound with the Aria. I didn't compare a lot of amps because the Belles checked all the boxes and I made up my mind with little deliberation. I also trusted the dealers opinion and experience, John Rutan of Audioconnection in NJ, a long time Belles dealer. Belles flies below the radar and doesn't depend on marketing and reviews but rather the positive word of mouth from their satisfied customers. The money is spent on the product, not glossy ads and hyperbole. David Belles is a rare breed that does it his way. Pound for pound, dollar for dollar his amps are literally a bargain, and blow away many brands that cost twice the price. That's my take, Jim. I appreciate your reply and wish you many happy moments listening to the music!

[@steveo8015]

@@donivey2772 I hear you, Don! I have never heard your speakers, but the Aria has the verve and the gusto to match with a wide assortment of speakers and I can just imagine how amazing the Rogers sound. If it's sublime, you know you've entered that audio domain that we all aspire towards! Thanks for the reply!

[@jim586]

@@steveo8015 Hello, that is a very nice message. The Aria is giving me a lot of pleasure. I’ve upgraded the digital front end to a Denafrips Pontus 2 dac and the sound has improved even further. It’s so sweet. You enjoy the music as well. Good health to you.

[@louiesipes2257]

Silver faceplate now 😊

[@albertcalderon3421]

Saludos, felicitarle muy sinceramente por compartir sus conocimientos, sus apreciaciones, consideraciones, pruebas, análisis, experiencias, test, reviews y demás, mucha sapiencia, y en lo personal lo considero muy objetivo, sin sesgos, neutral, sabiendo valorar la verdadera Alta Fidelidad, no dejándose llevar por las mentiras del mal llamado High End y sus precios estratosféricos, manteniendo siempre dentro de lo posible la mayor objetividad y sencillez, yo le he aprendido grandes conocimientos y valoro mucho el que los comparta, gracias y abrazos, desde Bogotá, Colombia.....

[@jeffkalina7727]

A buddy of mine just sold his Pass 100.8 monos in favor of the new AVA 225 Monos for his CLX MLs. 1/4 the price. Would enjoy your take on the 225s since you have many Pass Amps. RE the Set 120-A bit more on the tradeoffs between active and passive preamps would be useful. Does the SET have a meaning?

[@ericfshook]

The DVA M225 monoblocks are downright god like in every way. Will shine with any level of equipment. That says volumes to me.

[@epi2045]

I live in Minneapolis, MN and recently just discovered Van Alstine. Minnesota is home to Audio Research, Bel Canto, Wadia, Magnepan, and other small audio manufacturers.

[@orwhat24]

Lots of project time in those winters.

[@epi2045]

@@orwhat24 You’re actually 100% correct.

[@ryanschipp8513]

How is the Wadia A315 power amp?

[@TheBTG88]

Wadia is owned by the McIntosh Group and is based in Binghamton, NY

[@epi2045]

@@TheBTG88 You are correct about it being in the McIntosh family these days. It was started in St Paul, MN by engineers from 3M in the 80’s. This is also mentioned on their website.

[@gil3green]

Thanks for turning me on to this company!

[@josefbuckland]

Beautiful like that yammy 301 CD player simplicity is timeless and I love shape of the knobs which are a similar

[@sebastianp4411]

Thats a very british approach in building an amplifier. Like the british Croft Integrated R or my old Orellé SA-100.

[@seankasabuske1986]

Talk about brands few have heard of, have you ever had a chance to audition a Hafler amp?

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

Sure, when David Hafler was running the company

[@seankasabuske1986]

@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac What did you think of them?

[@RumblestripDotNet]

The Van Alstine vs the Rogue Sphinx V3 would be interesting.

[@mattmarceau8156]

Ha! Just received mine today. This amp is the real deal.

[@alexanderchristoffel2054]

Like a lot of (amateur) musicians, I'm everything but an audiophiliac... still this channel mesmerizes me. Maybe Steve has already discussed this, but I wonder why some musicians can spend thousands on their musical instrument gear and are happy to listen to albums on a little bluetooth speaker...

[@jC-kc4si]

Peer pressure and good instruments cost a good bit of coin, they spent every penny on that keyboard,amp or guitar and are searching the couch cushions for change.

[@richardbrobeck2384]

Yes I have a Hafler Power amp plus a marantz Preamp and Harmon Kardon power amp for my Home theater !

[@stimpy1226]

The simplicity of this unit reminds me of my Audible Illusions Modulus 3 pre amp. Simple straightforward design with such a beautiful sound.

[@user-ex9zm7bg3x]

classic bro

[@Med0d0]

Love this background keep it around

[@genehart261]

Frank started with Dynaco mods. I'm a huge Dynaco fan, couldn't go wrong with Van Alstine.

[@davidlima8194]

Steve... how does this Van Alstine Set 120 compare to your recent review of the Atoll IN50 integrated? They are both same $1,199 price with similar power specs... which is better in your opinion and why?

[@arte2arquiteto]

8:03 Review Highlights

[@jonathansturm4163]

Toots, Sly and Robbie! I’m in heaven...

[@manuzach]

Holly cole was a great new discovery …sounded great thru my definitive bipolars with a wide soundstage

[@56davidwright]

I found that I could fine tune the left right balance by the careful management of my ear hair.

[@The-Spotlight-Kid]

Is circuit simplicity good, if done right? 30'ish years back, my vintage 15" Tannoys M.G.'s sounded superb via a circa early 80's? Crimson Electric stereo power-amp. (Model long4got) Under it's hood was one small 100'VA sised (i guessed, maybe less!)transformer feeding two 10,000 m/farad e/litics, 2 cheap (30p?) zenner diodes as V.regulation & the minimum for push/pull of 2 transistors per channel, cheap bog standard components & i guess =/< 40 Watts per ch' max. But i soon sold my previous Quad II's mono valve amps & a large AR power-amp because that Crimson £50 s/h job made my Tannoys sing like never before. (My only upgrade that made a profit) I still remember which tracks i first heard thru it that musically elevated me on an emotional level like never before. Memory can be rose-tinted, but i still often yearn for that sound i had back then, to this day. Maybe it was just good synergy but i would have instantly dismissed it if i looked under the hood before i actually heard it.

[@nigelgauntlett582]

Hey Steve ! Have you heard the Sonus Faber Lumina 2’s ? That might be a super match for that sweet little integrated !

[@francisdelacruz6439]

Hi Steve, nice review. Seems like this one has bang for the buck going for it. Could this be enough to power the LRS in smallish rooms at medium volumes?

[@carlitomelon4610]

That was going to be my question! Shame Steve doesn't have the LRS on hand anymore:-/ Does anyone else know? 🎶🤫🎶

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

I'd think so, it's a high current amp.

[@francisdelacruz6439]

@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac Thanks for the reply. I heard Naim power the LRS nicely at only similar wattage. Cheers.

[@oleksiifilippov68]

Hey! Seems to be a nice amp. Just wanted to say that comparison with Schiit might not be entirely fair, as Jotunheim 2 is a headphone amp, not a dedicated preamp. And from my experience with several other Schiit headamps, they don’t work quite well as preamps. Cheers!

[@bryanherr1093]

The comparison seems entirely appropriate as the the Schiit combo is an amp, headphone amp, and preamplifier just like the set 120. Too bad for Schiit if the preamplifier in the Jotunheim sucks.

[@mr.george7687]

Reminds me of my old Audionics CC2.

[@martinkatz7639]

It has the same knobs as the bt2 great equipment. My biamped cc2s Still sound great.

[@rogerholland6980]

I loved my Van Alstine model 2. It took sound to a new level. Bought it in 1979, or there abouts and had until the mid90’s. Was comparing to a Hafler amp at the time and this amp destroyed the Hafler. They were also selling Mark Levinson and it easily held its own against their sound. In the mid 90’s it refused to power up. Okay, I will take in for repair. No one would touch without the schematics. Called Van Alstine and they suggested I throw it away. Asked about repair, nope they didn’t do. Asked about getting the schematics and nope, they don’t share. Ended up throwing away. Looking back, great parts in there someone would have loved to Frankenstein a amp from. I also have a Dynaco ST-70 that Frank built. No hiding those schematics. Good luck, just realize when their solid-state goes you got a real expensive boat anchor.

[@johnolson4977]

I don’t think frank was part of the company that built the model 2 , they were just using his name. The new company after that was audio by Van Alstine .I heard Frank talk about this in an interview.

[@juanmillaruelo7647]

I don't get it. Is this the same company that offered so much hand holding and even reviewed and repaired botched kit assemblies? Now they don't provide schematics and suggest you dump your amp? What happened in between? Methinks this is a company that just bears the logo, but not the spirit of the original.

[@johnolson4977]

@@juanmillaruelo7647 Frank is the Same guy that built kit And great customer service for 50 years , I don’t think Frank was part of the company that built the model 2 amplifier. So therefore the model 2 wasn’t his , to give schematics out.

[@birgerolovsson5203]

I always give you a "Thumb Up" before I even heard a single word. I must bee bribed.

[@josexavierjr.5633]

Good one, Steve............

[@fslim55]

Steve, did you try the SET 120 with Zu Druid V ?

[@thirdkey9]

Review aside, LOVE that you used this groovin Eno/U2 disc to dig in and that signature shirt style……style maven C.Watts would so approve. Brooklyn rocks.

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

Nice, thanks for watching

[@scofab]

Steve, another fine review, much appreciated. Great suggestions on tunes too... as much as I've heard it's always great to find something new. Have you ever gone into detail about any older equipment? Thinking Sansui AU series and other gear from that era, say early~late '70's, maybe early '80's. My (now rebuilt) AU-7500 still grabs me by the ooh-ha, I love it. Still looks brand-new too. Rock on, and cheers from Japan.

[@stevesmyth4982]

Am I correct in thinking that the view of the internals shows a single Voltage supply rail and a loudspeaker output coupling capacitor on each channel? And don't get me started on the barely adequate heatsinks and their poor thermal connection to the chassis.

[@chrisbarnhart7944]

Steve, your shirts are truly works of ART... Im thinking of ....... Steve Guggenberg as a more apropo name for you.......... or possibly .. Steve Guttenheim?? perhaps..... :) love you bro

[@josefbuckland]

GOOTS! Any chance you could do a video of SIMPLE AMPS LIKE THIS IN THE $1000 mark. Like the PS audio sprout. Sometimes we just need these and I would love to see more. I think there would be enough to do a round up with all that spare time you have waiting for the shirts to be washed LOL

[@keithbullen2242]

Shiit Sandwich!🤣🤣🤣🤣....BRILLIANT 👏 👏

[@MrKrapule]

Hi! Great review! What do you think of of power amplifier version? Good choice to pair with a streamer as a preamp?

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

The power is the same amp, without volume control, input selector, and 6 Db less gain. So yes, good to pair with pre or streamer

[@user-ex9zm7bg3x]

full metal jacket: "it's a schiit sandwich and we're all going to have to take a bite"

[@clk25120]

Reminds me of the many British brands amplifiers which have minimalist design and controls

[@rewind9536]

Nice bookshelves...........

[@bobb.9917]

Hemp Headphones, and a Schiit Sandwich…my day is complete! 😂 Thanks for putting up The Van Alstine Integrated Amp, from a domestic company. I have to check them out! …and Doug's set-up warms my heart! I am recently re-running my Carver C-500 Amp! It's being driven by a Schiit Freya+ w/NOS Tubes. STILL SOUNDS GREAT! I still have my Carver Sonic Holography PreAmp in the closet……hmmmmmm 🤔……Maybe I should bust it out and hook it up!!! THANKS Doug! Would LOVE to hear those Tektons!

[@OldTooly]

The closely spaced Tektons with the Holography engaged can be really impressive, but not all tunes and recordings are improved. But, for one example, ELP -Tarkus will blow you into the next dimension even at low listening levels with Holo engaged and in the correct seating position. Enjoy friend.

[@Kulumuli]

Reminds me of my old NAD 3120 (I still have it) and my old Rega Kytes.

[@kentonkirkpatrick5225]

Would love for you to compare the Van Alstine sound to the Pass XA25! Thanks

[@Robinson8491]

No remote? That's the only perk of modern audio

[@RasheedKhan-he6xx]

Steve, curious about how the bass on Holly's album comes through in terms of nuance and definition? Obviously speaker dependent but what flavor do you think the amp was serving up?

[@markmcgee9061]

Steve, thanks for the great review. Based on your experience, do you think the SET 120 has enough power to drive Ohm Walsh 2000’s? I found a used pair that Im getting (based at least in part on your review) and am looking for an good, reasonably priced, minimalistic amp to pair with them.

[@yuckysamson]

Really excited about the forthcoming Kyte review. If possible please contrast against the original Kyte, which was a Joe akroyd design, were lovely but had ZERO bass. Does the new one deliver?

[@alm5693]

This is cool. World headquarters for this company is about 20 minutes from my house.

[@espenboholm1112]

try van alstine with vandersteen :D

[@ejk3435]

Hi Steve. Can you tell me which unit you liked better. The AVA120 or the Rogue Spynx V3 ?

[@danieloherrick6332]

What are the stand mount speakers in the background? Thanks

[@baronofgreymatter14]

Hey Steve, do you think this amp would rock well with the Tekton 2-10 perfect set?

[@PanAmStyle]

I was excited by the designation of ‘SET’ - but it’s not a single ended triode! That aside, I have a lot of respect for Van Alstine gear, and this amp is cool in its simplicity and character.

[@Chris.from.1950]

Yeah. It's kind of weird that AVA would use that identifier in a "Class A/B" amplifier. A bit of a red herring!

[@stimpy1226]

Van Alstine was around when I ventured into Audio in a big way in the 1960s. There was always a mistique around this company.

[@wadesouza6402]

Ive read good reviews about this amp for a couple of years. What is unclear to me is whether or not there is a remote attached to it? Franks website is a bit spartan and confusing. This amp is on the preamp page and there is a reference to all preamps have remote capability. So, clear as mud....I have read on Audiogon that some owners have raved about the current capability of this amp....including vs the Belles Aria, which is one of the other amps I am looking at buying. I like the US made, small company, long history attributes of all this. But it applies to both amps...Belles is just David Belles himself. Anyone got input.BTW, will drive Kef R300s or Ohm Walsh 2.

[@antoninoruggeri4312]

At the same price: this one (power amplifier version) or the atoll am200 signature? Please 🙏

[@stephenuffens8596]

I'm curious to which you prefer, the SET 120 or the Atoll 50?

[@carlosvalverde4544]

Hi steve, thank u , how do you compare in sonic texture and finesse the AVA set 120 to Schitt Aegir and Saga +?, Which one do you prefer?

[@johnclark972]

How does one submit their audio system for consideration to be shown on your program?

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

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