Any Thoughts on the Sonic Frontiers power 1?

Shakey's experience is similar to mine EXCEPT with other tube amps, I thought SF Power 2/3 were too neutral overall and took me a while to "warm up" to them. but once did, I could not listen to most tube amps where were too colored.

Power 1, if similar in sonic to Power 2/3, should be quite neutral for a tube amp. of course you can roll tubes and tune it to sound more romantic. overall, I do recommend SF Power amps highly and will take them over ARC or VTL any day.

if budget allowed, also consider BAT amps, I found BAT SE tube amps to have few rivals on earth.

I have 2 SF power 1's & find them very comparable to arc tube amps of similar vintage; neutral without a "tubey" signature. I think the bass is a little "on steroids" side of neutral. Compensates for usual bass deficent 50 watters x2. I use them in a multi-channel system with powered subs, driving rear & center channels. So been awhile since I've heard them "naked" on their own. Excellent reliability & build quality. Good biaing scheme & not hard to re-tube. Still advice & parts available via parts connexion. Not a "romantic" SE amp often paired with high-eff. spkrs though...

Sorry, cyclone, was in a hurry. I've just never liked them. A friend has the popular preamp, never liked it, and has the bigger 2 amp. I think they were audiophile products, not music makers. If you can get one cheap and like it, then go for it. As already advised, you can still get it repaired through parts connextion of canada...
I'd search elsewhere...

"I owned the Power 2....briefly". Me to. Mine had every upgrade available. Sold it as fast as I could. Tried it in five different friends systems. It had a very big sound and lots of muscle but overall the tone was not there for me. I did use some gold interconnects to get the mid-range and high frequencies to sound a little better but overall I could not wait to sell that boat anchor. It came with the winged C tubes and I did not try any others. My updated/modified Counterpoint NP-220 walked all over it in every way but the brute strength of it. Should have purchased the BAT Vk-75 instead of the Power 2. Some options for you would be the Golden Tube Audio tube amp versus the SF-1. I has a very musical sound and sells around $400 or look at the used Counterpoint for sale here on Agon (not mine or anyone I know) NP100 with the basic upgrade asking $875 obo. That would be a great amp and you can upgrade it from there for fantastic results.

Jtinn, the importer of many fine audio gears, also like SF Power 2/3 over ARC VT-100/200 of the same era. SF gear is more transparent and extended, they are not too romantic sounding with stock tubes when compared to other usual suspects like ARC, VTL, Cary, or CJ.

ARC also belongs to extended and neutral camp, but it casts an unique tone on top that some likes and some don't. I don't, I did not care for any of their pre amp since LS25 to Ref 3, neither did I care for their power amp from VT-100 Mk 3 to current Ref 300 Mk 2.

On the other hand, I found SF gears sounding silky, extended, and enjoyable in my very high end system. I would not hesistate recommending SF Line 2/3 or Power 2/3 especially at current used price. you will need to spend a lot more to better them.