Kevinmed,
Arthur Salvatore(High End-Audio,com) once wrote that the Wavelength Cardinal was perhaps one of the "very best" 300b SET amps he`d ever heard. He states that the Coincident Frankenstein is simply
the best amp he`s ever personally heard with appropriate speakers.
I heard the Cardinal monoblocks with the Vaughn speakers at RMAF this year and the sound was quite good! this amplifier has always had excellent reviews over the years.
I`ve not heard the Franks and Cardinal head to head.
These things will always be subjective, but as an owner of the Franks(listening nearly daily for over 2 years) this amplifier is just OUTSTANDING! In the truest sense of the term.Thus far in my personal experience I will say this amp is the most natural-organic and realistic sounding yet, and I`ve heard many good ones.
It comes down to priorities, if like me you want pure,natural and honest reproduction of full tone with harmonic/overtone preservation along with exceptional dynamics(micro and macro) ultra low noise floor and tiny nuance retrival, this is your amplifier(Shuguang Black Treasure 300b tubes).Acoustic instruments and voice are devine.
The Frankenstein MKII is a stunning achievement by Israel Blume(so is the Statement Linestage).
Sincerely and Best Regards,
Charles
