Rating Reviewed by: Sun Hao(Unregistered User)
(AudioPhile)
Review Date September 25, 2003
Overall Rating 4 of 5
Value Rating 4 of 5
Used product for 3 Months to 1 year
Visitors rate this review 5.00 of 5,
2.00 votes
Review 1 of 3
Price Paid:
$400.00
from Shanghai
Summary: A very lovely mini tube amp. Can power many floor-standers and most book-shelf speakers. Works well with my ProAc Response 2. Very sweet and musical.
Strengths: Lots of power coming from this miniature tube amp. Good looking. Warm and full tube sound.
Weaknesses: A little less transparent than high quality solid state amps. High frequency extension can be better. Only one input.
Similar Products Used: Various solid state and tube amps.
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Summary: My ProAC 1sc's love this amp. I almost bought another much more expensive tube amp. as the ProAc 1sc 'needs' a tube amp for best sound. I came across this amp at the annual HongKong 'High end HiFi show 1999', At the demo they were driving various large floor size speakers, the room was filled with approx. 50 people....w/ amazed look upon hearing the large speakers powered by this 'small amp, with what I saved from buying this amp. (paid approx. US$425) I bought the ProAc 1sc , a good cd player, high end speaker cables w/ biwire and still saved .A great deal . I think I so this similar model sold in USA in Berkeley,CA w/ Opal brand name.
Strengths: great for ProAc1sc speakers, tube replacement cost inexpensive...although I hv not yet needed to replace tubes todate, 3yrs. Quality tube amp at low cost of a 'Kit'.
Weaknesses: only damper adjustment
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Summary: It's a wonder how this little ditty 6x6 inch gold block can outclass tube amps costing twice as much and 3 times the size. It looks more like an antique clock than an amp. Mid-range is clear and open throughout the 13W range. There's more than enough power here for an average sized room. Bass is powerful without 'woofing', which is what a good tube amp should do, but lacks just a bit of bounce which gives tube amps thier character. High notes were no problem, not as warm as other tube-amps which is good or bad depending on your taste. Overall a very clean sound, sometimes you forget your listening to a tube-amp, which is shame, but at $400-$450 brand new, it's a steal if only to put it in the living room as a show piece.
Strengths: Looks, Small footprint, Low price, Openess. Separate power supply.
Weaknesses: Lack of character.
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