GaN based SU-R1000 Technics Integrated Class-D, review by TAS

@twoleftears

Let’s face it, reviews in the two mainstream mags that contain even a brief comparative section are few and far between, and when they do, the components that are compared are usually nowhere near the same price bracket. The mags won’t risk pissing of manufacturers by printing statements like brand X performed, overall, better than brand Y.

Look what happened with Herb R.’s much-heralded cable survey that was announced a number of months ago. How many installments did that have? One.

i think it is called a ’collectively profit-making, self perpetuating eco-system’... the target audience (and often enough, the prey) being the inexperienced retail consumer/hi fi enthusiast

I’m not sure there are many who want a straight wire with gain. In recent years a number of small manufacturers and a few large have been building amplifiers with distortion and noise so low it’s inaudible to humans which is as close to a straight wire with gain as you can get. Mostly these amps are considered boring and sterile. Personally it’s what I prefer but i know a lot of people don’t. There’s nothing right or wrong in any preference but to modify a "straight wire with gain" to sound similar to amplifiers whose distortion is audible isn’t a neutral amplifier. If you take 2 amplifiers that are neutral that measure beyond human hearing then they will sound the same. I’ve never heard this Technic amp but it appears to be one I would like though I know I can get cheaper "straight wires with gain".

I’m not sure there are many who want a straight wire with gain.

I’m positive there are, but you don’t do it by making amps nonlinear or with selective distortions in them.
You do it with equalizers if needed or change whatever is that you don’t like the sound of, usually the speakers or room. (not by changing the linear items for non linear ones that's crazy)
Cheers George

Here is another point of view:
https://www.whathifi.com/us/reviews/technics-su-r1000

The two I trust the most are Stereophile and then TAS.
Can’t wait for the Stereophile one as it will come with bench tests which "usually" backup the listening tests if you understand them .

Yes we can look at another the minor publication
Ibtech reviews gave it 5 out of 5 and loved it also

"Beautiful warm soundscape with enormous depth and dynamics
Technics SU-R1000 is one of the most unique we have seen and heard in the high-end class."

Cheers George