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Blue Circle Audio BC2
Blue Circle Audio BC2
MSRP: $ 6300.00

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Rating
Reviewed by:
John McCabe
(Audiophile)

Review Date
January 19, 2002

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 months to 1 year

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Review 1 of 2

Summary:
I haven't listened to a lot of other expensive amps so my telling you that the BC2s are the best I've heard is a bit redundant - it goes without saying. However, they are unambiguously superior in every way to other amps I've listened to on my system. They're expensive, but deservedly so. I love them. I switched them out to listen to my old Harmon Kardon receiver jus to compare, and the difference is laughable, as it should be I guess. Anyway, I highly recommend them. If you're worried about power handling, don't - I'm using them to drive Audio Physic Virgo IIs and they do so perfectly. Other components are Sonic Frontiers Line 3, YBA CD1a, SPM Reference interconnects and FIM Gold Speaker Cable.

Strengths:
Soundstage is wide, deep, open - it's emense, effortless and airy. Resolution of detail is astonishing. Overall, the sound is just so musical.

Weaknesses:
The amps are big and heavy and may not go down well with your girlfriend. They give off enormous amounds of heat - I often get out of bed during cold nights to turn them on to heat the room. They only have single-ended/RCA inputs so can't use balanced cable etc. There are no sonic shortcomings.

Similar Products Used:
Arcam Alpha 7, Bryston 3bst, Bryston 4bst


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Rating
Reviewed by:
Joon Keum
(Audiophile)

Review Date
June 22, 2001

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

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Review 2 of 2

Price Paid:  $2500.00 from Synergistic Sound

Summary:
I obtained a pair of mint, used BC2s from Synergistic Sound, after having heard many great things about them from several audio sources.
The first thing I have notices is the physical size...it is large, in a strange way, very deep and narrow, resembling a mini computer tower in stature, but longish.
The aesthetics of any Blue Circle product is outstanding.
The first impression when playing a CD was the input volume, being lower with the BC2 than with the Power 2s. I had to increase the level a bit to find myself with the former amplifier's sense of scale....Still, it sounded a bit smaller, less weightier...but not all was lost. Whatever bass was reproduced came off like silk from the melody lines, something that the Power 2 had failed to do. The Power 2, which is an all tube design, at 110 watts per channel is extremely refined and powerful, but when it comes in bass slam, it lacks the control necessary to communicate the agility of piece, but the BC2, showed that HYBRID integration of bass lines with other elements of songs is much, much more polished and smooth.
Let me say that the bass would sound like an anvil being dropped on the floor with the Power 2s,,,,but with the BC2s, it would be more like dropping little pieces of metal, producing a very clear and sharp resolution in the bass department.
This bass issue also allows the BC2 to enhance the vocal clarity or definition of other instruments in the same track. Unbelievable, the difference in quality is very obvious, and to say this about the 75 watter, pure Class A, with tubed input agains the Power 2s tells how incredible the BC2 really is. This is destined to become an audio milestone....what I really do not understand are the owners that are selling them....being so rare and costly to make, the president and main designer of BLUE CIRCLE does not make them any longer.
If you know what is the best and also appreciate beauty, the BC2 are the amps to be had.

Strengths:
Excellent control of bass lines. Inherent, extremely neutral delivery of vocal lines.

Weaknesses:
Low initial volume...needed to increase the volume knob higher to obtain same volume as with the Sonic Frontiers Power 2

Similar Products Used:
Nakamichi PA-7, Sonic Frontiers Power 2, Audio Refinement Complete, Carver M4.0t (until about 1994.)


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