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Review 2 of 2 Summary:
Details:This baby weights about 45 Kg, is a vacuum tube amplifier that delivers 100 watts in 8 Ohms. The first few watts are pure class A, I don't know exactly how much but I guess quite alot since you can really bake an egg on this one. It is able to drive even the most difficult loudspeaker, like for instance the Magneplan MG3.3 and 3.5 and even a pair of Apogees. A real must are a quad-matched tubes from e.g. Svetlana, which are expensive, but worth it for delivering more power which is needed for big Magnepans or Apogees. Unfortunately this amp is not sold new any more but only second hand. A good price is around 3000 Dutch guilders (+/- 1500 US $, 800 UK). Make sure it's original, unmodified.
Listening:
The test has been done with a Trilogy 901 pre-amp (also listed here on the site), a Luxman D105-u CD-player (look at cd-players on this site), Magnepan SMG-a and Magnepan MG 3.3. Interlinks used are Siltech SQ80-G3, loudspeaker cable is also Siltech LS2-90.
The first thing that is noticed in this combination is the quietness, nothing aggressive about it, nothing is put on the spot except the music itself. No component that says or screams "he, listen to me! Here am I!" like most conventional loadspeakers or cheaper cd-players. Even on louder volumes a nice chat with someone is still possible. With the most of ease you can listen to every detail and aspect in the music, nothing is "extra" or "less", or becomes "pushed away" or "buried under" something else. A good comparison I can make with this amplifier is with the McIntosh MC-150, which is about the same new price. The Beard is transparent, gives good clear bass, even compared to mosfet/transistor amps (that's why it need not to be modified), good 3d placement of instruments and a nice warm mid. It's high is nice but can be clearer. The high of a McIntosh or Mark Levinson is often referred to as cristal, this high of the Beard is more like ordinary glass. Detail is very good but don't think of using ordinary copper cable, not even Monster or Oehlbach. Use Siltech or equivalent (if you can find it!). It is difficult though to find something that works perfect with it as a pre-amp. The trilogy delivers more than you expect for it's money (read the review).
Conclusion:
If you don't like the aggression mosfet/transitors give, you like the sound of full range elecrostatic or magneplanar speakers and don't wanna go for the much more expensive McIntoshes or Mark Levinsons, this is a very good alternative that won't fail to please. For it's second-hand price it has very few competitors. Remember tubes need to be replaced after like 2 to 4 years, depending on how much and how loud you play. The above mentioned Svetlana quad-mathed costs here in the Netherlands like 800 DFl. which is around 400 US $ or 250 UK. Also remember the wires used during this test aren't really cheap and have NO EQUAL if you ask me. Copper cable will bring down detail and transparency.
Good luck.
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