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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
tlday
137 posts
 
Dissonance reduction is common when you have just bought a product.
ait
480 posts
 
I'll throw in another option. Have any of you heard the Flying Mole 100wpc class D monoblocks? I have them driving Zu Druids, and I think they sound excellent, transparent and uncolored with more than enough power for the Druids, and very tight bass, in a package the size of a small paperback book. I don't think they can handle a difficult speaker load that drops below 3-4 ohms, but with the 12 ohm, 101 dB Druids they do just fine, and they are less than $400 per channel.
I have modified them because I can't keep my hands off my audio gear (especially the lower priced stuff), but they sounded pretty darn good stock. Just another SS option.
tbg
5,263 posts
 
I am very interested in the Red Dragon amps given what I heard at RMAF and from a friend, as well as the rave reviews, but it seems no one here has heard them. Are there lurkers who have them?
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kw6
692 posts
 
Let me throw my $.02 into the discussion.

I have not heard all digital amps out there but lets say they are in theory dead neutral as some people say.

My question is: are your sources and speakers dead neutral? If not, you'll be some amplifying nonlinear distortions which are not friendly to hear.

My main quibble with "neutral" amps are they don't have ear friendly distortions to counteract the unfriendly distortions making the sound lacking in texture. Digital amps are maybe beyond their time.

What really is needed, is system balancing and synergy with the right kind of distortions in the right places so in the end the sound that reaches our ears actually sounds like music.*>)

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