I was comparing amps at my local hifi store and this gem jumped out because of its incredible transparency. In comparison with big ss amps like the PM11 of Marantz, the 8L6 conveys nuances of human voices and instruments. In the past year I equipped it with an Audio Note pre amp and silver wiring. In this very high end surroundings I finally decided to modify the 8L6 with higher end components (Audio Note , Jupiter, Shinko). This led to an unbelievable upgrade that shows the true potential of a de Paravicini design. At present my EAR -AN combination is so good that I'm looking for some higher end loudspeakers. These will be custom build and tuned to my set and room by a professional loudpseaker developer. It will most probably comprise Scan Speak Revelator in d'Appolito, the cross over will be made from high end components and wiring (Audio Note as I know no better...). The EAR 8L6 awaits a glorious future in my set. Concluding, it is not a cheap amplifier but it is one of the best I've encountered yet.

Awesome stereo picture.
Abit forward and clinical with regard too detail, but still warm.

Very nice finish. (silver and gold really gives the eyes a treat)

Warmes up really fast, and the ear acute cd can work as a pre powering this thing totally changing the sound for the something that sounds more neutral.

Too get a more relaxed and comfortable and expressive sound, you should get rid of the standard tubes.

Warm and controlled med high copper cables are highly recommended for this amp.

(if you use cheap silvery wires and only run the amp for 20 minutes at half volume, the sound is going to be very stressfull!)

Highly recommended on Proacd18 and especially d28.

Great tube amp if you hate transistor, and also the old fashioned leaned back tube amps that soo many have.
This is then a good compromise!
Only thing I can think of that definitely beats this is then a air tight atm2 which almost cost 2.5 times as much.
Sound reeks of 1930´s live nighclub diva sound, very classy and smart.
(you get a feeling that small details in the background are unusually clear and that this amp can move really fast, making other tube amps seem very dull and overly fuzzy)

If you find the sound a tiny bit too cold and analytical, go for some different tubes. (big sonic change, when you do that)