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H2O Signature Stereo vs H20 Signature Mono Amps

I am in the process of downsizing my rig and am curious to learn more about the H2O amps.

Has anyone compared the signature version stereo amp to the signature version mono amps? If so, please share your findings in the comparing of the 2 set-ups?

Do the signature mono's perform that much better than the signature stereo to justify twice the price?

Is Henry coming out with a pre-amp? If anyone has info on this, please share what you know.

Are the H2O amps a fully balanced design?

I am strongly considering matching a good tube pre with solid state power amplification. If you have had success or failure doing so, with the H2O amps, please share your experiences.

Thanks!
barrelchief
muralman1
1,527 posts
 
I talked to Henry just before posting. I didn't mention the prices. Thank you Kirk. According to Henry, the Sig monos sit at the apex of the H2O line. The S-250 Sig is not the same amp, though Henry should be happy to see it surpassing expectations.
rgodin
85 posts
 
Henry quoted me $2500 for the Stereo version 6 months ago. Have prices gone down?
audiofankj
373 posts
 
As far as I last heard:

S-250 - $2,500

S-250 Sig. - $2,800 ? first I heard was here (not sure)

M-250 - $4,000

M-250 Sig. - $5,500

I would assume Henry quoted you correctly and perhaps Muralman had a typo above...
dotsystem
81 posts
 
Barrelchief

In what way are you downsizing your rig?

The H20 stereo versions have about 1/2 the capacitor storage bank of the monos. That said, the stereo H20s still have more storage than many other amps - in excess of 70,000 uF per channel.

Could this extra storage capacity be wasted in your downsized system?

The stereo Signature model is essentially dual mono in a single chassis. It employs a separate transformer for each channel.

Bob
barrelchief OP
294 posts
 
Between family & work, I do not have a lot of time to just kick back & enjoy my music these days. Therefore, I am trying to put together a 2-channel system that is musically satifying to my ears, but does not tie up the cash that I had in Rowland's 302 and Synergy IIi.

Tough to justify this level of gear, when some of that $ could serve so well in other areas of our home.

The challenge is on, as you can see what reference amplification my ears are accustommed to.
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