Al- Thanks for clarifying on the DNA-500 - I feel a bit embarrassed to have caused this mess-up.
Dev-
Kevin talked to me about the 300 for over a solid year before I would even give the 300.1 an audition. I was THAT happy with the DNA-500. It is quite a bit more than an "okay amp", at least to me, all who have reviewed it and most who have owned it. It also obviously depends on the system it is in and what it is driving. It is very far from just "raw power", which is why I'm so excited about trying this little experiment.
I have never heard better midrange than the VACs produce and have come to really like the VAC "sound". The fact that I may be able to free up my VAC amps to only have to drive the glorious midrange and highs with 300 tube watts per speaker is something I really look forward to trying. The sound should be magical with ridiculous headroom :-)
In addition, the ability to finally drive the bass enclosures of my 7se's like they were made to be driven means I should no longer need my sub(except maybe for movies). Since the 500 is only driving the bass enclosures, there could be an enhanced positive effect there as well. The 7se's spec down to 18hz, which is probably more visceral and felt, rather than heard - can't wait to find out!!
I'm visiting Kevin in May - will hear the 450's if he's got a pair handy. Everyone I have talked to who has heard the 450's raves about them - I've yet to hear them. Quite honestly, I REALLY like my 300.1s, and may like them a whole lot more if my little experiment goes the way I hope it does. Thanks for your responses and enjoy the tubes!! :-)
Dev-
Kevin talked to me about the 300 for over a solid year before I would even give the 300.1 an audition. I was THAT happy with the DNA-500. It is quite a bit more than an "okay amp", at least to me, all who have reviewed it and most who have owned it. It also obviously depends on the system it is in and what it is driving. It is very far from just "raw power", which is why I'm so excited about trying this little experiment.
I have never heard better midrange than the VACs produce and have come to really like the VAC "sound". The fact that I may be able to free up my VAC amps to only have to drive the glorious midrange and highs with 300 tube watts per speaker is something I really look forward to trying. The sound should be magical with ridiculous headroom :-)
In addition, the ability to finally drive the bass enclosures of my 7se's like they were made to be driven means I should no longer need my sub(except maybe for movies). Since the 500 is only driving the bass enclosures, there could be an enhanced positive effect there as well. The 7se's spec down to 18hz, which is probably more visceral and felt, rather than heard - can't wait to find out!!
I'm visiting Kevin in May - will hear the 450's if he's got a pair handy. Everyone I have talked to who has heard the 450's raves about them - I've yet to hear them. Quite honestly, I REALLY like my 300.1s, and may like them a whole lot more if my little experiment goes the way I hope it does. Thanks for your responses and enjoy the tubes!! :-)