So, when I read the several posts mentioning Wells Audio, I
just had to wade in.
Before I talk about Wells, I thought since I don’t post a
lot that it’d be helpful for you to understand my particular tastes in audio. I
can say that I really like what Steve N does with his gear. The last two years
at Newport were very very good, one of the best rooms at the show, especially
2014 with Vapor Audio. I favor sound as Steve does; very open, transparent, and
with all extreme’s intact. Steve’s gear does all ranges great but the treble
area and cymbals in particular are so beautiful. Really, the best I’ve heard. I
also like MBL, D’Agostino, McIntosh, and other solid state gear. I do not
recall what room it was, but there were some of the smaller Wilson Sabrina’s
playing with D’Agostino mono’s and their top preamp. That room was probably my
favorite this year; the amps had vice-like control and with I believe a M9 DAC,
it was really very nice; so easy to listen to with the entire frequency range
beautifully demonstrated. So, with that, now you know my audio perspective.
I first remember hearing Wells Audio at Newport 2014 and
then heard it again at CanJam 2015. I heard both of Jeff’s head phone amps at
CanJam. But the Headtrip was just amazing. This is basically an Inamorata in a
smaller case according to Jeff. The setup had the Lampi Model 4 Gen 5 dac with
Dana Cables/ACT power cables and a Mac Mini front end. The headphones were HIFIMAN
HE 560s. This system was heaven. I listened to headphones at that show that cost
two or three times the 560s and on some fairly costly systems too. None even came
close to the Wells Audio system. Again, none were even near the same league. If
I would have had $17,000 to spare, I’d have bought that setup and never looked
back, it was that staggeringly good. Every time I mention it to my friend that
was with me, he thinks exactly the same thing. The Wells Audio amp and the rest
of the setup made the headphones just sing. I also vaguely remember the 2014
Newport show, which I think had less supporting gear but was also very good;
natural, punchy, and musical.
So, I realize I just brought head phones into this thread.
But I have also heard the full size Inamorata stereo amp at Newport 2015. (I
don’t know if this was the SE model or not) Despite the small room the overall
sound was somewhat above average. Of course, that is just my general thought. I
think that the ancillary gear and setup lacked; it just didn’t have the quality
of gear needed for it to shine. I did speak momentarily to Jeff and he didn’t
seem amped the way he did at CanJam. I do think that if the Inamorata can sound
anything like my experience with the headphones it will be an amazing amp. I
hope to hear it in a venue with suitable supporting equipment. That’s my
experience with Wells Audio and I do look forward to what Jeff is doing and
hope to hear his gear again soon.
