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Amplifier reviews from Hardesty's

The current issue of Richard Hardesty's quarterly publication, "Audio Perfectionist Journal", is devoted to reviews of some of the best high-end audio amps available. The following amps that fell generally in the top ranking are: ARC V100 Mk3; Ayre V-5x; Parasound Halo JC1 monoblocks; Nagra VPA; Theta Citadel monoblocks; Theta Dreadnaught II; and VTL 450 monoblocks.

The second group of amps that fell in the very good but not outstanding category were: Anthem PVA7 (MSRP: $1500); Arcam P7; BAT VK-6200; Linn Klimax Solo 500; and Classe CAV-500.

Also mentioned were the following amps that were NOT recommended: B&K 7250; Integra Research RDA-7; and Linn AV5125.

The amps were tested and evaluated by Hardesty and Shane Buettner, who also reviews gear for TAS. The two amps which garnered the highest praise were the Ayre V-5X (a 150 wpc stereo model that sells for $4500), and the Theta Citadel monoblocks (rated at 400 watts, and priced at $15,000 for the pair).

Some sample comments (which I've summarized to save space):
1. The V-5x: "Simply an awesome amplifier, although a bit light in the bass compared to the other amps. Plush, dead quiet background, outstanding image focus and dimensionality, and a highly resolved mid-range. One of the best amplifiers I've ever heard with regard to focusing musicians in space convincingly. The V-5x has a pure and liquid sound that's less "hi-fi" than is typical of solid state. The Theta Citadels, at nearly $16,000, are the only solid-state amps I've heard that match, and slightly exceed, the V-5x's combination of liquid musicality and resolving power. At its price point, the V-5X is a revelation. The V-5x is one of the best power amps available at any price. I've never heard anything with more midrange resolution or better image focus. It's quiet and refined, and exceptionally clean, pure and musical. You have to spend a lot more to get only slightly better performance."
2. Theta Citadel monoblocks: "A no-holds-barred monoblock. The Citadels, by comparison to the Dreadnaught, have better bass, improved midrange resolution, and an airier, more extended top end. They have layers of front to back depth, resolution, and utterly convincing image focus and dimensionality. The sound is also as pure and musical as I've heard from a solid state amp, with the natural, liquid, non-fatiguing sound of tube gear. As excellent as the other amps in this survey are, the Citadels are a cut above them all." Richard Hardesty adds his own footnote to the review, saying: "The Citadels are the best amplifiers I've heard. The provided deal silent backgrounds like the Ayre, holographic imaging that used to be strictly the province of tubes, and bass control and impact that you could never get from tubes..."

The Parasound Halo JC 1's and the Theta Dreadnaught also drew very positive comments, finishing very close to the the Ayre and the Citadels.

I invite our members to add their own reactions and comments to those of Hardesty and Buettner.
sdcampbell
artar1
159 posts
 

Mattkimb96,

If it's any consolation, Thomas Norton tested both the Dreadnaught I and II. He felt that the Dreadnaught II offers a small sonic improvement over the Dreadnaught I.

While it's always good to check audio reviewers' opinions when compiling a short list of amps to audition, the final selection needs to be made based upon one's own personal tastes and preferences, the speakers to be used, the other components in the system, along with room acoustics. It would be a disservice to take anyone's word, even Hardesty's, as the Gospel.

For me, I prefer an amp that has body, richness, warmth, soundstaging, presence, harmonic sweetness, and impact. Dynamics for me are a little less important.

There are a number of amps Hardesty could have tested, but did not: Pass X350, McIntosh MC402, Mark Levinson 432, Ayre V1-X, BAT VK 600, Conrad Johnson Premier 140, Conrad Johnson Premier 350, Belles 350A, Classe Audio CA 301, Krell FPB300CX, Rouge Audio Zeus, Bryston 14B-SST, Simaudio W-5 Limited Edition, Plinius SA-102, and so on. As you can see, there are a huge number of amps to choose from, almost an unlimited number. One really has to think for himself when putting a system together, otherwise one will always be at the whim of current style and taste, which changes every three-to-six months.
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mattkimb96
107 posts
 
Artar1,

Appreciate you taking the time to post to the amp thread. Relative to reveiwers, I would agree with you that my own ears should be the ultimate judge, however that said, I live in Charlotte and it would be at least a five hour drive to hear the Dread 2, 3 hours to hear some of the other amps you mentioned. The "highest" end multi-channel amps here that I am aware of are limited to B&K & Ingegra gear. So far for me, the direction/guidance from the Audio Perfectionist has proved to be accurate on virtually everything they commented on, although it does leave a gap on what the gear they did not comment on sounds like. Every time I buy a piece of equipment, I need to sell one and I try and keep the differential between what I sold and what I buy to under $1,000. I save about $200 a month so it allows me the opportunity to upgrade 2 to maybe three times a year..the Theta, who I actually bought from one of the Audio Perfectionist reviewers, was funded by selling the Threshold T-200 I was using for the fronts and a Proceed HPA 2 I was using for the rears. The Theta did not blow the doors off the previous amps but did provide an overall improvement in imaging depth and soundstaging. A buddy of mine made a similar swap with the Threshold and thought the Threshold was the stronger amp for two channel so to your point it really does boil down to personal preference, as well as the other components in the setup. The only other amp I have had was the Cal Lab MCA 500 and while it was easily the best of the lot for home Theatre, I found it to be the weakest of the four for two channel. Additionally, the Neutric speaker cable terminations that it employed made it very difficult to audition different cableing with it. Last but not least relative to auditioning, I always strive to buy a piece used that I can sell for 90% to 100% of what I sold it for in the event it does not end up delivering an overall improvement to my current setup....even if I did have a high end shop nearby I would never take their time auditioning a new product unless I could acutally afford to buy it from them. The Audio Perfectionist publication does provide the filter I have come to trust to decide which used pieces to audition. (I also take the Absolute Sound & Widescreen Review.)
russellrcncom
318 posts
 
The Ayre is not an amp that wil grab you by the throat. When I first heard it, to be truthful, I was a little disappointed. FOr myself, it reresented a very subtle improvement over my threshold S300 (really, a testament to the threshold). Yet when I sit down and analyze it, it is better almost in every way. However the one area it excels is the noise floor. In hindsight, the threshold sounds a little like solid state. The Ayre sounds like music.
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