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Review 1 of 3
Price Paid:
$3600.00
from Rage Audio Summary:
I was first introduced to the ME Sound range of amplifiers back in the early 90’s when I went to my regular Hi Fi shop looking to upgrade into something that wouldn’t go into protection mode/shut down when the music being presented got harder to drive/control. Mind you, at the time I was using a NAD 306 integrated for its pre-amp stage going into a NAD 214 power amplifier and driving a pair of Jamo 707 speakers. In my books and salary at the time it really was an awesome system, but on certain tracks of CDs, at a reasonable level it just ran out of puff ( no, not a fault to be found in the NAD gear ).
I was initially shown the ME240 integrated amp that was the same size of my NAD 306 but twice the weight and was driving a pair of large floor standing Duntech speakers, what a demo ! I wanted to buy the ME240 then and there but was told that this one was the last one and had already been sold and production of new units was delayed due to an internal update of the design. After waiting a while I decided to revisit my Hi Fi shop and decided to purchase the ME550 power amplifier. That was one of the best purchases for Hi Fi I had made and to this day I still have this amp ( even had an internal Hi Cap upgrade done to it several years ago ). Even though I was more than satisfied with my ME550, I had always “lusted” after the BIGGER models further up the ME range and even once demo’ed a ME1400 which had so much drive, it literally pushed the soundstage beyond the walls of my small listening room. I was lucky enough to audition an ME850 over 3 years ago, but at the time I lacked sufficient funds to commit to purchase and then shortly afterwards ME Sound had to close its doors due to personal reasons.
I have spent the last 2yrs looking for a secondhand ME850 and let me tell you there’s a reason why they rarely come up for sale, it’s because it’s that good that you can easily spend double and not get much sonic improvement over the ME850.
Well, I’m pleased to say the persistence paid off and I’m now the proud owner of an ME850. This amplifier has amazing grip and control in the bass and a very smooth mid range rarely found in solid state amplifiers. The highs are also detailed and extended but doesn’t become harsh when pushed. The design and build of this amp is incredible ( 40kgs ) and begs you to ask why other makers can’t manufacture this sort of exacting quality yet alone provide the possibility of future internal upgrades as well. I can safely say that I have arrived at that point where I have what I want in a Stereo Hi Fi system and the only way I’m going to get rid of this system will be in my will !
My advice to anyone who might see an ME850 come up for sale is to "BUY IT" because it won't be available for long !
My system now comprises of -
Arcam Alpha 9 CD Player ( RingDAC )
Audiolab 8000Q Pre-amplifier
ME850 Power Amplifier
Ambience SuperSlim 1400 Hybrid Ribbon Speakers
Tara Labs RSC Prism 500 Speaker cable
van den Hul D102 Mkiii Interconnects
Nordost Blue Heaven Interconnects Strengths:
Build quality, current capability/drive, Hi Cap upgrade option, This amp can deliver power as well as finesse. The power of this sonic artform is severely underated at a quote 120 watts per channel, you will never need more than what this amp can dish out with its impressive 16 matched ( Motorola TO3 type )bi-polar output devices. Amplifier comes delivered in it's own wooden crate and carry/lifting straps ! Weaknesses:
None that I can see or hear ! Similar Products Used:
ME550 power amp, Krell KAV 300i, NAD 306, NAD 214, McCormack DNA 1
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