Muralman1,
I realy meant no criticizm of the gear rather than simply describing what class "D" means.
I realy meant no criticizm of the gear rather than simply describing what class "D" means.
Is solid state on the brink of extinction?
I am curious how many out there, like me, that have come to the conclusion the age of solid state, and perhaps tube gear, is closing.
In freeing needed cash from my high end audio recently, I was forced to look for a less expensive alternative. To my surprise, the alternative turned out to be an unexpected bonus.
I have notoriously inefficient speakers. I was sure I would have to sell them once I sold off my large solid state blocks.
Going on a tip from another amp killer speaker owner, I bought an Acoustic Reality eAR 2 MKII Class D amp. This tiny amp caused a revolution in sound benefits over my ss mono blocks.
My speakers gained in speed, depth, control, detail, range, clarity, and dynamics.
It didn't stop there. I also sold my front end, and bought a very cheap programmable digital DVD. It also proved to be better that my old disc player. My playback gained in detail, separation, depth, bass control, bass extension, and treble extension. The mids are just plain natural. Reverberation decay occurs evenly and naturally.
Has anyone else had a similar experience of moving from solid state or tubes to digital? What do you see as the future for solid state component producers? What of tube amps?
In freeing needed cash from my high end audio recently, I was forced to look for a less expensive alternative. To my surprise, the alternative turned out to be an unexpected bonus.
I have notoriously inefficient speakers. I was sure I would have to sell them once I sold off my large solid state blocks.
Going on a tip from another amp killer speaker owner, I bought an Acoustic Reality eAR 2 MKII Class D amp. This tiny amp caused a revolution in sound benefits over my ss mono blocks.
My speakers gained in speed, depth, control, detail, range, clarity, and dynamics.
It didn't stop there. I also sold my front end, and bought a very cheap programmable digital DVD. It also proved to be better that my old disc player. My playback gained in detail, separation, depth, bass control, bass extension, and treble extension. The mids are just plain natural. Reverberation decay occurs evenly and naturally.
Has anyone else had a similar experience of moving from solid state or tubes to digital? What do you see as the future for solid state component producers? What of tube amps?
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- 75 posts total
I have a sample of each type amp in my home;Digital (Spectron Musician II), SS linear Bryston 4BSST, and OTL tube (Atma-Sphere M60 Mk II). After spending weeks optimising the cable/speaker/room/sub for each amp here are the standings: #1)Atma-Sphere M60. Utterly transparent and deep,informative soundstage. No effort,music just lives and breathes. Bass is organic and holistic. (For you new-agers out there. You know who you are). Does require the assistance of the Zero's on my system to match my 645's to the amp. Useful for winter heating. #2 Bryston 4BSST. This amp is only slightly less musical and clear than the M60. Detail is great, dynamics are great, sounstaging is only slightly less, bass is also great....though it doesn't quite "breathe" the way the M60's can. Musical with great tonality. A very easy amp to live with. #3 Spectron. Used to be #1 until I experimented on optimising for the other amps. Slightly more open on top than the Bryston and originally had a better soundstage. A bit dry in the lower midrange, lacks the tonality of the Bryston. Great bass. Great dynamics, just doesn't do the fade to silence decay thing nearly as well as the M60. That dryness just seems to take something out of the voice...but really only if you compare to the other two amps after being optimised. Still a great amp. Coupling with a Bryston preamp brings in more tonality on the low-mids and bass. |
Muralman, That is certainly a beautiful unit, chrome triangle made in Denmark, and the price is great if it performs for others as it did for you. 1)Did you purchase direct or go through dealer? How long to receive if direct? 2)Is it true that speaker cable connections occur under amp? Can you give more detail how this is done as no photos show amp connection method at website. http://www.acoustic-reality.com/ BTW that matching preamp is very radical also. |
Hi Megasam, I bought mine in the states. It was new, and had been in the hands of a former dealer. From Denmark, I have no idea. The eAR is based on European currency, and as you know, currency fluctuates. I have little doubt the shipping would occur promptly. The packing of the amp is the best I have ever seen. There are two models to choose from. For 8 ohm and some 4 0hm loads I would recommend the Enigma. For my terribly inefficient speakers, I use the Pass Aleph P's variable gain feature to good results. Anything over 2 ohms, shouldn't be concerned with what pre amp they are using. |
- 75 posts total