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"This Latest Digital Amp Is Great "

I see this so often. I wish it would happen.
I really think the builders of these amps shoot themselves in the foot, by rushing to market.
How many of these "Last Word In Digital" amps come out, get great press, then start down the modkateer path for hundreds of dollars in improvements.
These things are supposed to be simpler, sound as good or better than all the best analog amps, and be cheaper.
It hasn't happenned!
I understand the concept of building to a price point.
I don't think anyone has come close, except PS Audio, with the HCA-2. They are a bargain here used, in my opinion.
All the rest are overpriced.
I'm still waiting. It'll finally cool off here in Phoenix soon, and my Cary CAD 300 SEI will glow & those 15 watts of 300B will still rule my audio world.
danielk141
snofun3
601 posts
 
Muralman, you exhibited exemplary restraint. Well done.
glai's avatar
glai
446 posts
 
I am with Daniel on this one. Have tried the Rowland 201 and Bel canto evo4 g2. While bel canto is much better, they still don't compare to tubes or a good solid state amp.

I have yet to try the H20 or Channel Island but unless they are way better than ROwland or Bel, I wouldn't bother.
audiofankj
373 posts
 
I for one can say I auditioned both the Rowland 201's and the 501's... while some areas were alright, they didn't grab me the way the Rowland 302 does.

I did purchase, and do still own an ICE based pair of monoblocks that continue to amaze me... they don't look as good as the jewelry casing of the Rowlands, however the Rowlands don't sound as good as what I purchased... IMHO, and as always, YMMV... only advice I can stress is audition *any* of the amps with your own gear, as some of these are more critical of system matching than others as well...
danielk141 OP
489 posts
 
I've owned the Acoustic Reality, with the ICE module.
It sounded good to me, but I hated that ridiculous triangle where all cables were stuffed.
I auditioned an Adcom HCA-2, it definitely seemed much more polished of a design than the A.R.....
I seem to like the sound of the digital amps that use a conventional toriodal transformer. I believe they are less susceptable to AC line noise, (and cause less line noise).
I bought a Sonic Impact amp, I just haven't made it to Radio Shack for the required adapters needed to try the amp out.
I am partial to MOSFET amps. I prefer a musical sound over the deep base of the various Bipolar output amps.
If a digital amp comes out that sounds like a 300B SET, I'll buy it. So far, nothing comes close.
warnerwh
539 posts
 
I agree thinking that they're overpriced for what they are. I suspect that's why alot of small companies are making them and these same companies have little experience designing amps so they keep coming out with better versions. Unlike Rowland, Bel Canto and PS Audio who have been designing gear for years. Me, I think I'll just stay with my analog amp til the dust settles.
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