Digital Amp's

Ecclectique, If I were the only person singing the praise of the H2O, then the my outrageous speakers would be central to the H2O's relevance in use with normal systems. There are H2O amps powering a wide range of speakers now.

As much as I like class A amps, I love tubes more. To many, tubes beat class A when it comes to airiness, and depth. One only has to read 6Moons, and Audiofankj's reviews to see how H2O stacks up against tube amps. In both instances, the H2O has usurped their beloved valve gear.

As I mentioned, the H2O bares little resemblance to other ICE amps. It stands alone, with it's loaded analog power supply.

Muralman, if I'm not mistaken you seemed to have had the same enthusiam for the eAR amps not too long ago. Things change, new products surpass old ones (sometimes at least). Perhaps you might share your thoughts on the similarities and/or differences between these two digital amps?

Even better yet, Muralman, as you have owned a quality class A amp (not the best out there, but respectable none the less) why not in a nutshell explain where you thought your Class A amp excelled.

For example when you owned the Pass Labs X600 monoblocks what did they do well?

Then when you swapped to the eAR mono's - what was improved?

Then when you moved onto the H2o Sig Mono's - what was improved?

That is always more helpful to most people on here, rather than just hearing " this amp is much better and blows the competition away."

Thanks, for the added input Vince. :)

As an aside, when I began looking into the H2o Signature monos, I was suprised to speak with people whom had replaced amps the like of Pass Labs X600 monos, VTL 450 monoblocks, and others well into the $12,000-$16,000 new range. To have an amp in the mid $5K range compete in that arena, let alone better it to some was well worth looking into for me. After the piqued interest, I left the rest up to my own ears...

Hello Audiofankj.

I think I would have been careful to say the amp in my hands have blown the competition away in my system. Even though I never said that. :)

I don't think I stated on this thread, my speakers are the 1ohm Scintilla. On general discussions like this, I am leaning on the more normal systems of yourself, and of Strajan, the reviewer of 6Moons. Systems I figure readers can identify with more.

Frankly, I think it is a feather in Henry's (H2O) hat, that it performs so well on the most difficult speaker load devised.

I had moved from all tubes to tubes and solid state when I switched my Apogee Stage speakers to larger Apogee Duetta speakers. They are both nominal 4 ohms, but there's a lot more panel to drive. I tried the Pass X150, and liked the results. There was a nagging high frequency beam I never was able to rid of. At the time, it was my best system sound.

In anticipation of getting the Scintilla, I bought Pass Labs X600 monos. On the Duetta, it was more dynamic, and warmer than the X150. At least one listener liked the X150 better.

The Scintilla is not just another Apogee. It is a partial bipole. It's presentation is simply music in the room. Any amp that can push the 1 ohm Scintilla is wonderful, in my book. Never mind one Pass mono had heat stroke a number of times. The sound was bold, and dynamic. The bass was fugitive, however. The sound was the best I'd heard in my home.

A fellow Apogee owner mentioned that he had heard the little known Acoustic Reality eAR amp on his Scintillas, and it was great. I couldn't see why. The Pass's noise level, and distortion stats are way better than that of the eAR.

I gave it a try. He was right. The diminutive eAR gave up on some depth and wall of sound, but with the help of a big gulp preamp, it lifted a heavy veil I didn't know was there. It also gave the bass voice. It was the best I'd heard in my home.

Enter Henry Ho, builder of class A amps with enormous reserves. I asked Henry if he'd try the ICE module, in an amp of his device. He did, and loved it. Several months later I got my H2O Signatures.

The H2O has a power supply that would do a class A amp proud. Henry said, with the ICE module, "The highs are very hard to get right." Get it right he did. The whole of the spectrum sounds quite natural. With it's big analog power supply the H2O improves on the eAR. It gains in bass authority, depth, slam, naturalness, and weight.

I never have written a review of my amps. When I got them, they were the only Signatures around. I wasn't even sure if they were going into production. There are great reviews out there now. I'm willing to answer questions, or provide more details.

Thanks Vince. I didn't mean to sound like I was putting words in your mouth. I was familiar with your power amp progression, however I am not certain others are. I think most don't realize the people buzzing about the H2o's have tried a good many amps out there... not just moving from a Yamaha receiver to a power amp... and singing the praises of the "flavor of the month" - time will prove where the H2o's stand. I am quite sure we already have a pretty good idea too. :)

Hope all is well with you and your family out west...