On a recent evening, I watched a skillful boxer beat a less skillful boxer. He was faster to punch, to change angles, to block, to slip punches. An athlete in peak form sees, acts, and reacts so quickly that we fans marvel at his speed and mastery. From the athlete's perspective, he sees, acts and reacts to events that unfold more slowly than he is able to respond to them. From his perspective, when in peak form, the game has slowed down.
I know now that an audiophile can share in the experience of an athlete in peak form. While testing the latest iteration of Joseph's new SET amp, I shared in it. The music came to me with such clarity, ease and fullness that I experienced it, and responded to it, more quickly and completely than I had known to be possible. The game has slowed down.
I heard what a live audience must hear from the reedy voiced Stacey Kent. Momentarily, she will delicately touch a warm, un-nasal, lower pitched vibrato. Alison Krauss' wispiest sibilants are no longer opaque; I can almost pause to inspect them, as they float past my ears. The game had slowed down.
Are there two pianists who interpret Mozart more differently than Mitsuko Uchida and Alicia de Larrocha do? I've enjoyed this difference many times. But, through this amplifier, I could hardly believe their interpretations of the allegro movement of Sonata K332 had been inspired by the same source. The recordings had not changed. My experience of them had changed.
This SET amplifier is special. I hope it reaches the market. The amp now moves on to another beta tester. I hope it returns soon.
