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Review 3 of 3
Price Paid:
$750.00
from AVA Summary:
This amplifier is simply the best darn amplifier I have every used in my system, and might be the best darn amplifier I have ever heard for modest sensitivity speakers with typical impedance swings and phase angle. I am not totally certain what Frank VanAlstine ( www.avahifi.com ) did to this amplifier, but it really works! There is certainly more happening here than a tube rectifier and choke power supply. I hear more depth into the music (i.e. detail) than ever before and with no harsh edges. My amplifier uses Sonicaps ( www.sonicraft.com ) in the coupling circuits, and this is a non-standard implementation for Frank.
Anyhow, this amplifier really surprised me. Has excellent midrange and high with... very good bass resolution too. I hear more backround information and low level detail than ever before. This amp replaced the AKSA full Nirvana +, which replaced a heavily modified Jolida 302b, which repaced a Bryston 3B-ST. I have also experimented with the AVA FET Valve 550EXR, and a few other very respectable amplifiers over the years. With all of the "power amplifiers" a Creek OBH-12 passive preamp was used.
I am a primarily a classical music listner, and prefer the better flavor recordings from MDG, Chesky, Reference Recordings, and Delos. I will occasionally entertain some John Lee Hooker, and other Jazz too. REO Speedwagon, Journey, and Aerosmith recordings leave much to be desired and are never used in my system.
My CD player is a modified Anthem CD-1, and speakers are obviously the EllisAudio 1801. I am using Frank's tubes.
I belive the only thing that might replace the AVA Ultimate 70 is a very big/heavy/expensive SET amplifier. $1k might seem like significant funds to spend on an old amplifier, but THIS amplifier is... oh my!! Strengths:
Clariy, dynamics, soundstage... it's all there. Weaknesses:
Given 85db at 8 ohms of my 1801 it performs wonderfully. The sound pressure available is more than I ever need before clipping. With other speakers at 4 ohms (more common nowdays) the load might be too significant. I cannot vouch for 85db speakers at 4 ohms. They require current equivalent to 82db speakers at 8 ohms. This current requirement might be too much. Similar Products Used:
Bryston, Jolida, Golden Tube, AVA FET Valve
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