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New Audio Frontiers 211 SE amp opinions and experience

An opportunity has come up to get my hands on a New Audio Frontiers 211SE (stereo version). Wondering if anyone has any experience with them? Not too much press state-side but plenty in Europe. I've had Art Audio Carissa 845 that performed very well with my Harbeth SHL5s and Zu Essence but eventually lost out to 2a3 and 45 amp with my Klipsch LaScala. The rest of the system are: LP12/Origin Live/Lyra MC, Esoteric SA50, David Berning ZOTL PreOne, and Chord, Crystal Cable and Nordost cables. I have as mainstays Alan Eaton 2a3, Paul Birkeland 3C24, and LTA Ultralinear, but crave a more balsy (for lack of a better word) presentation or slam from time to time. As always, positive opinions and constructive criticisms are greatly appreciated.
128x128bananaslug
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,941 posts
 
Looks nice. They also do a 20w 845 for less money. Have you looked at Atma-Sphere OTL at all?
bananaslug's avatar
bananaslug OP
18 posts
 
Thanks for the few responses here. I think I'm going to pass on the New Audio Frontiers 211SE. Just realized that it weighs 110 lbs. I had enough of that back-breaking work with my VAC Renaissance 70/70 and Lamm ML2.1s as I am no longer young and reckless. Looking forward to an A/B with your 3C24 or just hang out, ISLANDMANDAN.
gestalt's avatar
gestalt
190 posts
 
The NAF 211 is exceptional and will be a good fit for a more ballsy sound. Understand about the weight. It may be difficult to find a nice valve amp that has balls, sounds remarkable, but is also light; I find weight is often correlated with quality.
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,941 posts
 
@gestalt OTL?
wrm57
1,062 posts
 
@bananaslug , I'm curious what you think about the LTA Ultralinear compared to your Eaton 2A3 amp on your LaScala. I'm running a 2A3 amp on Cornwall IV. While the sound is wonderful at lower volumes it runs out of gas a bit when I turn it up. The LTA UL is an amp I'm seriously considering. Does it really provide the SET magic?
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