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Blue Circle amplifiers

Who all here have heard Blue Circle amplifiers? I've been searching for the ideal integrated for the past few months, and I like what I'm hearing about the Blue Circle Katlas, but don't have the ability to audition one. I've heard it's lively and natural and neutral in a "live, in the room" sort of way... sort of halfway between the BmPH and FtTH integrateds... also said to share characteristics of the BC 200 series of power amps...

I'd be grateful for any thoughts from folks who have heard any of these BC pieces listed above, and how they stack up versus the other high-end integrateds in the firmament (I'm thinking Karan I-180, LSA Signature, McIntosh 7000 in particular... also Plinius 9200, Jeff Rowland Concentra, Pass INT-150, Luxman 509, Naim Supernait, etc., etc.).

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!
coverto
seattle_mike's avatar
seattle_mike
43 posts
 
I've owned a CS and an NSCS. It's nice, but nothing remarkable. You want a remarkable integrated get a new Musical Fidelity A1. Aside from sounding a LOT better, it's half to one third the price.

The Roksan Kandy is also a nice amp, comparable to the Blue Circle, less money, a lot less hassle.
spl's avatar
spl
54 posts
 
I do not have experience with BC integrated's but I do have a pair of BC 2's and they are amazing. Gilbert is among a few fine engineers in this industry who is not only innovative but also a really nice guy who will go the extra mile to help you in getting what you want out of your system and dollar.
coverto OP
44 posts
 
All - thanks for the responses thus far. I may get a chance to audition an FtTH in a few weeks and will report back when I do. In the meantime, I'm still appreciative of any input from others who have heard the more recent integrateds!
frihed90's avatar
frihed90
4 posts
 
I heard the Katlas at RMAF this year. Since I am very fond of the FtTH, I can't say that i liked it nearly as much. It doesn't have the smoothness or authority of the FtTH. I own a pair of BC SBM monos. I like them a lot. They are all SS, and I am all tube, except for the custom BC SBH head amp i have.

I couldn't disagree more about the MF suggestion. But these differences are what makes the world go round.
loose
239 posts
 
seattle mike:

Are you sure you compared the Kandy and the CS directly? No doubt, the Kandy is the more powerful amp of the two, but it is most definitely not better than the CS. I had the CS, Kandy and Unico at my place at the same time. The Unico was notably the smoothest of the bunch - a really high quality, sweet and smooth sounding amp. The CS was next in line and, while the Kandy was definitely not bad, it was not in the same league as the other two, suffering from a bit of 'raggedness' in comparison to the others.
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