Frank Berry

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
4.83 of 5, 6.00 votes

Price Paid:  $550.00 from From Manufacturer

Summary:
I purchased this AQ-1002 amplifier in kit form and assembled it on my kitchen table. I ordered the amplifier with Svetlana 6550C output tubes. The tubes were not to my liking. I had a difficult time biasing the tubes. One tube required substantially more negative bias voltage than the others. That tube failed within a few months (and took out the screen and cathode resistors in the process). I replaced the tube with another Svetlana 6550. Within six months, another 6550 failed. I purchased four Sovtek KT88 tubes to replace the 6550C's. After nearly four years, the Sovtek KT88 tubes are alive and well. I have not replaced the original Sylvania JAN 5814A (12AU7) tubes. I tried a set of Telefunken 12AU7's and did not hear any difference. I have connected a number of tube and solid state amplifiers into my system and compared them with the AQ-1002. The tubed McIntosh MC275 came the closest in sound quality. The Harmon Kardon Citation 12 was the best sounding solid state amplifier. An old (1961) HH Scott model 208 amplifier came very close ... only lacking slightly in very low bass. I have read that the AQ-1001, the integrated sister to the AQ-1002 performs equally well.

Strengths:
Inexpensive and a very good design with well made output transformers. This amplifier produces an incredible amount of clean sound for fifty watts. Besides the amazing bass response for a tube amplifier, the mids are silky and the highs are crisp without being strident.

Weaknesses:
Incomplete assembly instructions. Very heavy at the back due to the three transformers.

Similar Products Used:
McIntosh model MC275 HH Scott model 208 Harmon Kardon Citation 12 Deluxe

Price Paid:  $450.00 from AudiogoN

Summary:
I'm surprised that there aren't any reviews of this piece. I purchased mine used along with a Counterpoint SA-1000 from a fellow audiophile who was cleaning out his closet, so to speak. I have owned several 'high-end' systems but have had to sell them for competing financial priorities. (Can't wait until this shakey economy improves.) It had been about 9 months since I sold my last system when I decided to put together a very modest 2-channel system. I usually buy speakers first and then purchase an amplifier that suits them. This time, I decided to buy the amplification first and then pick a pair of speakers that are suitable. To get to the point, this is a fantastic amp. Mine came with Svetlana 6550s and JanPhilips input tubes (12AT7s) but I know that these came from the factory with cheap Chinese tubes. With the upgraded tubes, this is a world-beater. It's smooth enough without being too euphonic and detailed enough without being fatiguing. Coupled with the Counterpoint SA-1000 preamp and a pair of Soliloquy 5.0s, this is a wonderful little system. In many ways, this is the most enjoyable system that I've owned. Perhaps it's because there's NO GUILT for having paid thousands of dollars for a stereo. I paid $1,250 for my whole system (including a Sony CA-7ES cdp). If you can find one of these for under $600, you can't go wrong. 50 watts per channel is more than adequate for most speakers in most average-sized listening rooms. Plus, you can roll different tubes (KT-88s, KT-90s) and have some fun. Very highly recommended.

Strengths:
-Inexpensive -Tube-rolling allowed -Looks terrific with that shiny chrome chassis and tubes prominently positioned up front.

Weaknesses:
-Not the final word in resolution and detail -As with all tube gear, takes a good 45 minutes to warm up and sound its' best -Very uneven weight distribution (all the weight is in the back) making it easy to accidentally tip over

Similar Products Used:
-Classe DR-9 -White Audio Labs B1 -Audio Research D-115MK2 -Audio Research D-125 -McIntosh 7150 -Forte Model 4A -Anthem Amp 2 -Many more...