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Are ICEpower amps really that good?

Hi folks, it's getting a bit boring now, but I would like to hear your opinions about the following issue. I have the eAR ICEpower based amps (with the ASP1000 modules with built in SMPS). Some audiophiles and amp manufacturers believe they are just trash. In my opinion they are no slouch compared with the almost 8 times more expensive Accuphase A-50V stereo amp. In fact, I prefer the ICEpower amps above the Accuphase. Now I'm a bit in doubt (audiophiles are such weird creatures): are this sub $2k ICEpower amps really that good that they can compete with the $$$ Accuphase amp, or is it due to my own shortcoming (I might have some form of insidious and progressive hearing impairment) or is it just imagination? If the ICEpower amps are really that good, what's the point of buying $$$ amps? Btw, I have Dunlavy SC-V loudspeakers.

Chris
dazzdax
eldartford
4,262 posts
 
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).
phd
1,320 posts
 
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.
muralman1
1,527 posts
 
Eldartford, are there any digital supply UCD amps out there? It seems to me almost all ICE amp builders are taking the cheap way out, sacrificing the best sound. I don't know anyone around here that has a UCD amp, only TacT and ICE.
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drubin
3,274 posts
 
And Nuforce are neither ICE nor UcD, in case that is not clear to folks.

I happen to think Nuforce does sound reasonably warm. Tonally rich is a more prominent characteristic, however.

In LA this past weekend, for any room I suspect you could have found someone who thought it was the best sound at the show. It's all so personal.
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