Ostemo8's post reminded me that I hadn't updated this thread. A lot has
happened since I put my TransMos 150 back in the shop. Turns out there was
a broken ground wire inside, causing the hum.
When I got the TransMos back, it was everything I'd remembered it for
originally. It has an endearing sweetness to it, but also fullness and depth. As
good as the Amber 70 is (and they made many versions--Ostemo8's may be
a later, better edition), the VSP TransMos simply outclassed it in every way--
speed, dynamics, depth, bass clarity and extension, soundstage width, depth,
and delineation, and especially, compelling musical involvement. I can't count
the number of times it called me from other rooms to sit in the sweet spot
and listen hard and bask in its all-encompassing goodness.
BUT, I knew that 3 or 4 days after I got the VSP back I'd be taking delivery on
the Onkyo A-9555 Integrated amp.
So back to the original thread premise: Can a mass-produced Japanese class
D integrated amp trump a best-of-class high current boutique amp from the
'80s.
There are two answers: Yes, and HELL, YES!
I heard hints and even broad swaths of the greatness to come from the A-
9555 as it took its 100 hours to break in, but during that time, it had a glare
and edge that had me longing for the VSP. Still, I stuck to my guns and
played this amp in 24/7, alternating between an iPod and FM when I wasn't
spinning vinyl or 5 CDs at a time on a Sony changer.
But once I got it broken in, Hoo-BOY! This amp has introduced a new
paradigm into my home audio. It represents a quantum leap in clarity, speed,
extension, inner detail, bass clarity and detail, separation, stage width,
transient response, low level detail over the VSP, which had it over the Amber.
In fact, the Onkyo outdistances the VSP more than the VSP betters the Amber.
With about 60-70 hours on the Onkyo, I decided I needed a little respite from
the edge and glare of the break-in period. I switched the well-seasoned VSP
back into the chain, and although it was sweeter and smoother (for the time
being), I immediately noticed a big drop in resolution. At that point I couldn't
switch the Onkyo back in fast enough; I wanted to hear all that music I had
missing. At that point coincidentally the Onkyo passed its break-in threshold
and the glare disappeared, the music relaxed, and so did I. I noticed my
shoulders drop into a relaxed position and I started enjoying all the music
this amp was throwing at me.
I'm not saying the Onkyo is the equal of an Ayre or Rowland, but I will say it
reminds me more of those amps than anything else I've ever heard. It has a
lot of what is associated with a very high end amp in that it manages to be
very resolving and detailed, with an unusually low noise floor, the nuance and
subtle microdetails and smooth liquidity associated with a tube amp, along
with the fast transients, speed, clarity, bass grip, and extension at both ends
that is associated with very good solid state.
Once it breaks in, you'd never guess that it ever had a period when it
sounded edgy. It is now the most relaxed, yet properly detailed amp I've ever
had in my house. I call it "properly detailed" in the sense that it
has all that detail in correct perspective--it doesn't have exaggerated detail
or hit you over the head with it. It is quite lifelike.
I find it is as--or more--detailed than amps from Rega, Cambridge, and
Music Fidelity, and yet I prefer its musical presentation and tonal balance over
any and all of those Brit integrateds, including the 250 wpc Musical Fidelity.
As a line stage, the preamp section is easily worth the street price of the
entire amp. Unfortunately, it doesn't have line outputs, but this amp is so
good and self-sufficient I can forgive that. Like the PS Audio amps, this
Onkyo employs a variable gain stage, which keeps the clarity, transparency,
and frequency response pretty uniform at most volume settings.
The built-in phono stage is also pretty good, but the Cambridge Audio 640P
phono stage is more commensurate with the quality of the rest of the A-
9555, and is a great-sounding, sympatico match with it.
I am now done with vintage amps. As I write this I have 7 components (amps,
preamps, DAC, etc.) on consignment. I'm done with them (though I'm keeping
my newly repaired VSP for the time being). Compared to this Onkyo, even
classic or even legendary vintage amps and preamps in the same price range
can't save me any money ($450 for a great line stage AND 100/200 wpc
amp? C'mon!), and any used amps in this price range can't TOUCH the Onkyo
in any subjectively evaluated performance aspect.
