I understand the interest in comparing Decware to other stuff, but I, like many Decware users are either long-time audiophiles, DIYers or/and musicians
.a crowd that is accustomed to critical listening. I personally prefer to compare Decware to life. This is not the same as comparing gear, but it is the most valid comparator I can think of. I just want it to feel as real as I can get it without breaking the bank. I also want a certain level of flexibility within this "realness." This requires that special balance of detail, liquidity, tonal balance, weight, definition, openness and all those other things we try to describe sound we love with. But those things are never enough
..it needs that special indescribable quality that makes me happy and amazed when I listen. The final determinant: does it suck me in to the music.... am I fully engaged and captivated by the music? And this can't happen unless it sounds and feels extremely lucid and complete.
As to whether the Torii is too detailed. The amp is very detailed in every respect due to its quality, simple and synergistic design
.it even uses regulator tubes in parallel for power filters. But is also liquid, slightly warm, and has deep and detailed bass
.not cold. All delivered with speed and open, harmonically textured definition. If you look at the Decware forum, you will not find many Torii posts wanting more bass. For more, this amp taught us that more room treatment may be needed to utilize the amazing bass it offers. Anyway, I would call the detail real, not hard or clinical.
You also have five sets of tubes you can roll, so not to worry if the voicing from Decware (which is very good) needs adjustment to your tastes. It is a tribute to how revealing the amp is that all of them make big differences in my system. Even a 50s-60s tungsol OB3 reg compared to Sylvania OB3s of the same period are similar, but real choices
not to mention more apparent tubes like many available 6-type input tubes. And with the bass pots, treble cut knobs, bias and impedance switches, Decware starts us off well, but gives a lot of flexibility to tailor the amp to tastes.
Not that I want the amp to gather too much attention as it takes a while to get stuff as it is, but this might answer the question about Decware going to shows....it appears that they have more than enough to do as it is!
And yes I am biased, and glad I found them. Their design work suits my ears and budget.
Happy Listening!
Will
As to whether the Torii is too detailed. Not for me, but I am into detail. The amp is very detailed in every respect due to its simple and synergistic design, even using regulator tubes in parallel for power filters. But is also liquid, slightly warm, and finally, has kick assed bass. All delivered with speed, depth, texture, and open but not cold definition. If you look at the Decware forum, you will not find many Torii posts wanting more bass. For more, this amp taught us that more room treatment may be needed to utilize the amazing bass it offers. Anyway, I would call the detail real, not hard or clinical.
You also have five sets of tubes you can roll, so not to worry if the voicing from Decware (which is very good) needs adjustment to tastes. It is a tribute to how revealing the amp is that all of them make big differences in my system. Even a 50s-60s tungsol OB3 compared to Sylvania OB3s of the same period...not to mention more apparent tubes like the input tubes. And with the bass pots, treble cut knobs, bias and impedance switches, Decware starts you off well, but gives you a lot of flexibility to tailor the amp to tastes.
Not that I want the amp to gather too much attention as it takes a while to get stuff as it is, but this might answer the question about Decware going to shows....it appears that they have more than enough to do as it is!
And yea I am biased, my system is mostly Decware at this point, and I am glad I found them. Their design work suits my ears and budget.
Happy Listening!
Will
