Are ICEpower amps really that good?

Hello again,

I didn't mean to stir up so much controversy, just commenting on my experiences to date. I wouldn't go so far as to say ICE amps are compromised but I do feel they have a ways to go before they reach a level of performance most 'philes will find palatable. This isn't a surprise given the relatively short amount of time these products have been on the market. What's missing to my ears? To answer Dazzdax's questions; I found the ICE products to provide a very consistent tonal quality across the board, so to keep the response short let's characterize the sound as lacking harmonic structure and offering very litte PRAT. This characteristic seemed to be "universal" in all the ICE based amplifiers I've heard (so far) and led me to believe that the new designs would benefit from much beefier power supplies. Philnyc alludes to noticable improvments by paying close attention to power conditioning and aftermarket power cords, this in part confirms my suspicions that the ICE products could use some more power supply refinements. I noticed Nu-Force came out with a new Reference amplifer (reviewed on 6moons.com)that uses 30 capacitors! Evidently Nu-Force is still tweaking the design since there are reported quality issues after a short burn in time.

Which amps should you use in your system, the ICE-based stuff or the Accuphase? Let your ears decide. Happy listening, Jeff

Hack, I wouldn't trade my monos for any amp you may name, at any price. Srajan of 6 Moons is accurate in his assessment.

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/h2o/m250.html.

I don't think I have ever heard the ICE amps, but have definitely heard my share of digital amps. Most enjoyable of the bunch were the Channel Islands amps. They don't look like much and they are simply designed, but the sound was excellent. However, I would not classify the sound as analog like. It is actually hard to describe although it was pleasing to me. Rick at EVS is supposed to have some new amps that are outstanding as well.

Dazzdax - if you really want that analog sound from your amp you need to listen to the solid state TRL D-225 or ST-225 integrated. I have had the D-225 in my system for about 6 months now and it is trul amazing. I am now using it primarily with a passive preamp (although I am contemplating the TRL battery powered preamp) and it is amazing how much more analog the sound is versus my older tube set-up. These amps aren't much on looks, especially versus Accuphase, but they have the sound you desire. Cost wise, they are not in the same league as most of the ICE/digital amps, but they are an excellent value nontheless. You should give Paul Weitzel a call. Money back guarantee as well.

The Channel Island Audio amps are based on a module called "UcD" which is similar in concept to the "ICE" module but supposedly incorporates an improved topography which eliminates sensitivity of distortion to load impedance. I have five D200 amps in my multichannel system, and I am well satisfied with them. Like the H2O amp the CI Audio amps use a massive conventional power supply.

If you want to try a top of the line digital amp for less than a grand, and can do a DIY project, the UcD modules, and power supply modules and transformers are available from Hypex (www.hypex.nl).

I have to agree with Tvad, there is nothing warm sounding about the Nuforce amps.

Eldartford, you are very fortunate to own Channel Island amps which have a linear power supply. I prefer a linear power supply in my digital amps as opposed to switching.