-Transparent -Dynamic -Great control and enough power -Precise imaging and soundstage -Minimalist design -Can't stop my feet tapping since i connected it into my system -Great price -Everything

-No remote -Interference with TV.

I started this hobby as so many others, with hometheater stuff. With this amp i completely dismissed the ht. from my system, and it worthed it. My current setup: -Proac tablette 2000 -Copland csa-8 -Audiomeca Obsession 2 CD -Harmonic Tech. Fantasy Speaker Cable -Harmonic Tech. Prosilway MkIII. IC In this setup, the amp really sings. The first thing i notuced, was much more controlled bass response. My previous amp was a denon avr1803 receiver, which could not control perfectly the proac, and it was inferior in clarity. With the copland i don't dare to turn up the volume beyond halfway, and it seems, that the amp has a lot of juice left. The other thing that was apparent, was the precise soundstaging and imaging. Everything fell in place, amazing. The cymbals seem to shimmer more, and more lifelike, so the treble extension is better than the denon had, however the denon sometimes was bright, with the copland, it has totally gone. One problem with the amp, as other user mentioned, that it can not be directly or not directly connected to tv, while the antenna cable is connected, it makes a hissing noise. With the cable unplugged, the amp is very good for movies as well. I tried other amps as well, none of them gave me the transparency of this product, the primare i20 was too warm, the musical fidelity a3, and a3.2 was like putting a honey aura around the music, and had too strong bass response. The audio analogue was not so transparent, a bit sweet, that was too much with my proac, and the audio refinement was flat, not very dynamic. I recommend it, and because it is discontinued, you can find it at a really great price, a bargain.

Similar Products Used:

Denon avr1803, tried Musical Fidelity a3, a3.2, Primare i20, Audio refinement

It''s power is tremendous as it was the only amp i tested that it could eaily shake my stern Concertino''s. it also has a very clear soundstage as it could easily desribe music scene. In Jazz/Classic parts it''s performance is creepy.

Maybe if it could be more clear in the midrange area.

I believe that this amp easily could be characterized as entry-level hi-end. I have tested quite a lot amps in this price area trying to find the exact match to my electronics and this is the only amp can play almost any kind of music successfully. It''s minimalistic design is marvelous and also robust. It''s bass is tight and accurate and resolution is also very good. The more important thing is that this amp can be matched with a great deal of electronics. It''s construction as far as concern electronics is state of the art.

Similar Products Used:

Micromega Stage 6 Sonus Faber Concertino Nordost Speaker Cable Nordost Redon Interconnects

Neutrality, Resolution

Cannot be directly or indirectly connected to TV

The hum noise disappeared in all when there is no connection, either directly or indirectly with TV.

With the above issue resolved, it's time to enjoy listening with my jazz/classic CD collection. CSA-8 clearly excels in the middle and upper range with a significant increase in resolution, and the quantity is correct and never excessive. It is transparant that it sounds neither syrupy or mechanical. Bass resolution and quantity is also ok. CSA-8 can be played loud with distortion.

Other components in use:
DVD/CD: Sony S-705D
MD: Sony MD-JB930
Speaker: ProAc Tablette 50 Signature
InterConnect: Silver Audio Hyacinth

this is transistor version of csa 14. still very sweet sound with plenty of grunt and fast attack . really puts a bounce back in the music but not sharp or aggressive. rebecca pidgeons spanish harlem is sheer magic with this amp . only problem is earlier model had only 3 line level inputs, be sure to get nwere version with 5 line inputs

Well, I got this amp at a steal in the second-hand market...for only US$470.I had an Audiolab 8000A and was thus able to compare them side-by-side. Well, put it this way......no current has been passed through my Audiolabs ever since.
When I do try them, it is to convince me of how great a buy I had made! The imaging and separation in the Copland is certainly worlds apart as compared with the 8000A. In the 8000A, everything comes across "in a piece". The vocals are presented with the same slap as the music, giving an illusion of very loud vocals. Guess This will be great for Techno music fans. For the CSA8, well, soundstaging is excellent and details are great. You can always pinpoint the singer amidst the band! And the timbre is so realistic while the voice is sweet and seductive. Well, for the price that I pay, definitely a 5 stars. This will consequently "force" me to upgrade the rest of my gear.

Currently my system are: Marantz CD 72( very old but still running), a Sonus Faber Concertino , NBS Dragonfly power cord and the newly acquired QED Silver Spiral i/c. Planning to acquire the Marantz CD17KI or Copland CDA266. Well, will keep you guys posted with any new acquisitions since I have benefitted from this site.

Well, I got this amp at a steal in the second-hand market...for only US$470.I had an Audiolab 8000A and was thus able to compare them side-by-side. Well, put it this way......no current has been passed through my Audiolabs ever since.
When I do try them, it is to convince me of how great a buy I had made! The imaging and separation in the Copland is certainly worlds apart as compared with the 8000A. In the 8000A, everything comes across "in a piece". The vocals are presented with the same slap as the music, giving an illusion of very loud vocals. Guess This will be great for Techno music fans. For the CSA8, well, soundstaging is excellent and details are great. You can always pinpoint the singer amidst the band! And the timbre is so realistic while the voice is sweet and seductive. Well, for the price that I pay, definitely a 5 stars. This will consequently "force" me to upgrade the rest of my gear.

Currently my system are: Marantz CD 72( very old but still running), a Sonus Faber Concertino , NBS Dragonfly power cord and the newly acquired QED Silver Spiral i/c. Planning to acquire the Marantz CD17KI or Copland CDA266. Well, will keep you guys posted with any new acquisitions since I have benefitted from this site.

Clearly six stars. It does everything right (detail, highs, lows, mid etc.) and I prefer them to the CSA-28.

I had the opportunity to compare this amp against a few note-worthy competitors : Electrocompaniet's ECI2 &
Primare's A20.
CD players : Musical fidelity E624, Meridian 508
& speakers : Sonus Faber, Magnat, Proac, Vision Acoustics.

CSA8 has a very wide and deep soundstage, good grip on bass
lines and good control in busy musical passages. Tonal colours
are clear , transparent and lively although a bit sharp and
forward - in comparison to the ECI2 & A20 which were both warmer.
In Mozart's Great Mass in C , the CSA8 lacked a bit of scale
and recessed vocals especially when the timpani should be
more authoritative.
That said the CSA8 wins A20 in soundstaging and and ECI2 in
control.

6 stars if it costs only US$470.

Refer to previous posts

Quality Control

The first one received cannot be powered on. It then is returned to the shop, which is replaced by the second one. However it produces an loud "hum" current noise on its right channel even when the volume is at infinity. I then swap the speaker cable to the left. This time the noise comes from the left speaker. I reconnect the system with my existing Denon Integrated Amp and there is no hum even when I turn the volume to maximum.

I will submit another review when this problem is solved.

Similar Products Used:

Denon

First i bought a pair of B&W CDM1 SE speakers and put them togehter which my Luxman LV111 amplifier(old amp).I was not bad.
Later on i deside to look for an new amp for my speakers.
For my budget i had had the choice between a Rotel(power-/preamps) a Thorens(integrated) and the Copland CSA-8.
Putting both parts together, the B&W CDM1 SE speakers and the Copland CSA-8 integrated amp with only 2x60W brings out a fantastic powerfull high-pressure bass in a mixture with a high detailed solution at all frequenzy-range.
The sound was so clear and powerfull, that i couldn't took another choice.

Components: -Rotel CD940BX -Copland CSA-8 -B&W CDM1 SE
CD-player amplifier speakers.

This components using in biwiring mode are the reference.
I decide for ***** stars.