From what I’ve gleaned looking around for reviews, the "Inspire" amps from Dennis Had have been pretty well accepted. I’d be interested to read otherwise since I’m considering a lower powered SE amp in my rig. Jmcgrogan2…feel free to suggest some reviews that helped you form your opinion as I’ll read ’em.
I don’t read reviews, I find them to be a waste of time. Too many times I’ve read rave reviews, only to be disappointed.
I provide my own reviews. I either like something, or I do not.
A few years back I was using a Cary SLP-98P preamp which I liked quite a bit. I found out about Dennis’ Inspire line through threads on a website. I really wanted it to work, as did Dennis Had. He was very helpful, sending different tubes to try, and everything else.
In the end, the sound was not good at all. The sound-stage was congested, it never opened up, and the highs and lows were rolled off.
Dennis was great to work with all along the way. He even refunded all of my money when I returned the amp after 3 weeks of trying different tube combinations trying to bring it to life.
My speakers may have had something to do with it, rated at 90 dB, 8 ohm load (Soliloquy). Certainly not HIGHLY efficient.
However, many who raved about this amp had less efficient speakers.....so.....
I still have the utmost respect for Dennis Had. The work he did at Cary was first rate. He is also a first class human being, and a LOT of fun to talk with.
His Inspire amp did not work for me, but he certainly tried his best.