ORION WSP

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Price Paid:  $300.00 from Hong Kong, price lis

Summary:
I bought the amp from a second-hand shop, with no previous knowledge on what it is. I only have a short and brief audition to ensure that it works. But the surprise came when I reached home and installed her to one of my systems.

I guess there are several models of the 70. Mine is the Doxa 70 Mk II. That's what printed on the panel. So I guess mine is a lower version of the SE or the Signature. But still the two much oversized transformers that added weights to the well constructed amplifier addressed her potential. I guess the transformers were the same ones used on the SE or the Signture.

I agree with all reviewers' comments on the doxa amplifiers. Apart from the hair raising definition, the amplifier is extremely smooth and drives speakers effortlessly. The amplifier performs so well that it controls the whole system with ease, just like it is a take for granted result. I love the way it drives difficult speakers like Dynaudio bookself. The sound is warm and full. Harmonics are clean. It may be right that the amp have some difficulties in driving larger floorstanding speakers such as my JM Lab, and there are difficulties in finding a QUALITY matching pre-amp for her. But this is the fun and joy of reproducing music via audio systems.

For the time being, my Doxa 70 Mk II is driving a pair of Dynaudio, and it is the best match for her in my house. Don't try it with transmission lines. I have try her on my TDL monitor 1, and the sound becomes thin and sift. I recommend the amp for matching with quality bookselves. Enjoy the control it gives!

By the way, grateful if audio fans could inform me on further informations on Doxa amps, say the difference between 70, 70 II, 70 SE and 70 Signature. Are ther any other models from Doxa?

Strengths:
Best control over bookself speakers. Neutral and natural. Throw out solid bass effortlessly.

Weaknesses:
Spend a lot for a matching pre-amp

Similar Products Used:
Aaron amp from Germany, Quad and DPA amp from England, McLauren mono-blocks from NewZealand, Crown from USA

Summary:
The Doxa SE provides excellent value for money, but the twice as expensive Signature-model is in a different league. However, if you want a hi-fi system with a taste of high-end to it without emptying all your bank accounts the SE is a good place to start. It does very few sonical mistakes, but be careful to match it properly. Far from all other products that are logical to match with the Doxa because of similar prices are able to unleash it's potential.

Strengths:
The Doxa SE has, like the other Doxa products, a openness and coherence that is hard to match at any price. It provides excellent value and is definetely a best buy, especially on the second hand market. Compared to other similar priced products like the Electrocompaniet AW60 & AW100, Audiolab 8000-series and the like, the Doxa provides, in my opinion, a much more detailed soundstage and quite simply sounds more natural when compared to live music.

Weaknesses:
It doesn't have the power necessary to be used with big and low-efficency speakers like Apogee or my own Extremas. Use it with speakers above 4ohms and with close to or more than 90dB sensitivity and it really shines. It also reveals weaknesses in other parts of the system much more ruthlessly than other products in this price range.

Similar Products Used:
Electrocompaniet AW60 & AW100
Densen Beat series