Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
I can't add much to the glowing reviews that have come before mine. I use this in four channel mode (I use phantom mode for the center channel), though I mainly listen to stereo. This is a powerful, yet controlled and very musical amp. If you love music but also have a home theater, this amp is not a compromise. It is simply the best choice for either mode.

Strengths:
Musicality and flexibility (rock, classical, jazz, home theater)

Weaknesses:
Very heavy and oversized - won't fit in a traditional rack

Similar Products Used:
Classe Muse

Price Paid:  $0.00 from 2002

Summary:
I use the Theta DREADNAUGHT the excellent power amplifier in 4 channel configuration to bi-amp my hughe B&W 800 Matrix speakers.Is the Best power amp I have heard during the 25 years I am in High End! The preamp of my system is the Synergy Preamp from Jeff Rowland,the turntable is the Aure/kuzma reference/VdH The Frog,all cables from Cardas.

Strengths:
Excellent dynamics and soundstage.Is liquid,wide,open,detailed smooth and relaxed.Ultra musical,and transparent without being over-analytical.The Best choice for serious listeners and experienced audiophiles.A real surprise for the music lovers.It is most honest amplifier I have heard .Regarding the price?If the Dreadnaught was 3-4 times more expensive I would also like to buy it. The 4 channel version I have is strongly recommended for passive bi-amplification.You will hear any high quality speaker to sound much better in comparison to the normal 2 channel configuration.If I had an easier load as many other speaker have I could use a 2 channel Dreadnaught.

Weaknesses:
Please believe me ,NONE

Price Paid:  $6000.00 from Dé Hifiwinkel, Eindh

Summary:
I bought the 2-channel Dreadnaught to replace my 2x50W Class A baby Krell KSA 50S in my main system, which includes Sonus Faber Guarneri Homage speakers (see review), Theta digital front end, Krell KRC-3 pre-amp and Nirvana SL and SX-Ltd internonnects (speaker cable is Transparent Music Wave Super Biwire). The Guarneris performed quite well with the little Krell, but needed more juice. I bought the amp without ever having auditioned it, simply based on a dozen or so rave reviews (under the old, tried and trusted motto "if Ken Kessler likes it it must be OK" - see the other elements of my system) and, of course, the invaluable advice of my dealer, which proves once again that at this level (mid high-endish)it is essential to work with a patient and knowledgeable dealer,who knows your system, your tastes and, ideally, the shape and character of your listening space. I join the growing group of people below and the international p)ress in singing the praises of this amazing amplifier. I don't use it for hometheatre, yet (additional modules have been ordered), but just for simple stereo music listening. With the Dreadnaught in the driver's seat, the speakers sounded immediately bigger without losing any of the detail I had before with Krell. This is a very balanced amplifier that delivers all the goods without unnaturally emphasising certain parts of the musical spectrum. It is not your razor sharp clinically analytical amplifier, but, if that is not your prime interest anyway, this big (and fairly heavy) boy delivers all the goods one should extect from a 250W solid state amplifier. I heard several other amplifiers afterwards, including FPB 300Cx-es from Krell, but I never felt any frustration returning to the Dreadnaught. I am not only going to keep this sweet monster, I am actually going to stuff another couple of modules in and add a few speakers on my way to the multi-channel experience.

Strengths:
Excellent speaker driving capability, balanced sound, big sound-stage, very musical, transparent and detailed without being over-analytical

Weaknesses:
takes more than average floor space and occasionally suffers from mild trafo hum

Similar Products Used:
Krell KSA series amps, FPB series, KAV series.

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
This is the best sounding 5 channel amp I have heard to date, PERIOD!! I am a Pro installer, and let me tell you, Krell, proceed, Bryston, Parasound, Linn, ATI, ETC.. Dont even compare! All I have to say is, LIQUID smooth, but with all the detail. Listen to one if your in the market.

Strengths:
build quality, SOUND!!

Weaknesses:
Heavy as h...

Similar Products Used:
All of the above

Price Paid:  $5500.00 from Sound Broker

Summary:
Simply put, unbeatable for price. I have the 7 channel 200wattX3 100Wx4. The performance more than meets my expectations. Used w/ Lexicon MC12 balanced Maggies 3.6r MCC2 (the new one) Rel Stadium 3 Sony 900v transport MIT bal cable most Monster 1000 See system on page 30 of exoticaudio.org

Strengths:
Excellent dynamics, sound is easy and pleasing. Soundstange is dead on. Wide open almost tube like w/o drawbacks. I love the fact that the toggle switch lets you turn off surrounds when listening to Stereo. NO HISS IN SUrrounds! ALL or most multi chanl amps do not feature this switch off capable.

Weaknesses:
I thought it would be louder! My speakers mate well, but crave more power. Are we ever happy?

Similar Products Used:
Classe CAM 350 (my dream but for 7K?) VTL Sig 450 monoblocks (another dream) MK, B&K, Classe smaller amps, Proceed, Nakamichi pa7I, Adcom monoblocks etc. NOTHING came close for value vs performance