Price Paid:  $2700.00

Summary:
This is a great sounding amplifier that throws a great soundstage and has dynamics to die for. The detail and resolution this amplifier has to offer is also very good but it can be improved upon greatly with an upgrade by ModHi-Fi.com which is really inexpensive to have done.

Strengths:
dynamics, resolution, soundstage... that feeling that makes you tap your feet and get into the music

Weaknesses:
this unit is great if its paired correctly, it can sound anywhere from warm to bright depending on your source components but it does have a tendency to sound a touch thin which can be a good thing depending on the way your system compliments this amplifier. My guess is that alot of the "thin" sound on most systems is due to the digital edge cds have when compared to the real thing so maybe this amp is just being "true" to what it's given because it doesnt sound even a hint on the "thin" side with my analogue rig.

Similar Products Used:
too many to mention

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
I had the opportunity to bring this amp home and audtion it in my system for 3 days. I really wanted to love it and buy it given its relatively affordable price and high power. Unfortunately, it did not work very well in my system. Currently using an Ayre K3 pre-amp and Dynaudio 1.8mkII Speakers with a Meridian 508.24. It does throw a great soundstage in this system and the bass is very deep, but the mids can be somewhat hard, thin. I would think this piece would match up much better with a tube pre-amp which would soften up and add some richness to the mids. I found the bass to be a little loose besides being very deep, again, probably a mismatch with small floostanding speakers. To take full advantage of the prodigious bass, this amp would be best served with larger speakers and the bigger the room the better. Soundstaging is very good to great.

Strengths:
Deep Bass. Pinpoint soundstaging. Dynamic, lots of headrooom.

Weaknesses:
Needs big speakers, big room to really shine. Mid range a little thin and hard with SS partnering.

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
I recently had the opportunity to listen to Steve's latest offering and I must concur that this is a credible offering.It has a tonal flavor similar to other CJ products. In fact, it might be a tough call for those trying to decide between the CJ MV55 and this solid state bruiser. Any negative feedback that might be reported are probably just system mismatches. The 225 is not a hot sounding product per say thus,it may not be your best choice with the magnepan's. It has relatively good resolution but, I would say that it is only average for its price.

Strengths:
Almost tube like with greater control.

Weaknesses:
Probably not the best deal new. Buy used or consider purchase of 125.

Similar Products Used:
Carver,other CJ products, Belles. The unit is not in the same league as more expensive solidstate or better tube products.

Price Paid:  $1725.00 from used/onlie

Summary:
Wonderful sounding amplifier, please see R. Harley's review in TAS, very accurate description of this piece. This amplifier has excellent depth, layering, transparency, and a truly excellent quality of providing image outline and location in the soundstage. Compared to the Mark Levinson No.333 amplifier I had for a while, it provided greater access to the critical midrange, providing a cleaner, clearer view into the acoustic landscape. Depth was a bit better, but the No.333 had better overall control, bass, and dynamics, but at 9K new, it better! I would desciribe the sound of the DNA225 as lucid, with a clean, quieter backdrop compared to the No.333. Perhaps the full Class-A biasing of the ML amplifier attributed to the slightly sweeter, slightly less black backdrop. The No.333 also had a wider soundstage, but again, the DNA225 gave me greater access, and a cleaner view to the all important midrange. Dynamics were excellent, well extended at the frequency extremes, with wonderful transparency. I did find the DNA225 to be very picky about the power cord you attach it to!(I have a very transparent system, and my ears are still pretty good!(-:) I could clearly hear differences if power cord changes, and the amp sounded a bit better with a rich, or fuller sounding power cord. The PS Audio Lab/Mini Lab works well, as would many others. I would avoid any thin, or etchy sounding source components in front of this amp, as the transparency and speed can be a double edged sword at times. Its top end never got etchy, but it sounded best with a slightly fleshed out midrange. Again, the right power cord can go a long way. Perhaps all this does not matter to you, but to an Audiophile it does! (-: I found a very synergistic match with the McCormack TLC-1r preamplfier, especially in passive mode. I use a custom built 6922/7308 type tube preamplfier, with excellent results. Really wonderful amp that holds its own against amplifiers costing 3X times as much, and then some. A steal for the asking price, especially used!

Strengths:
Depth, image outline, palpability, speed, and midrange transparency. Very good at the frequency extremes. Price.

Weaknesses:
Runs a bit hot, single set of binding posts (tougher to bi-wire) although all connectors are Cardas. May lack a bit of body, although the right power cord goes a long way. Be careful what you put in front of the amplfier.

Similar Products Used:
Mark Levinson No.333 Classe CAM mono blocks Plinius SA MKIII series Threshold T200 Marsh S400A Musical Fidelity A3cr Counterpoint NPS series

Price Paid:  $1600.00 from Ebay

Summary:
Very revealing. Detailed, Good midrange and tight bass. When compared with DNA-125 can hear no difference. So if you do not need the extra power save 1000.00 dollars

Strengths:
Excellent overall amplifier but not really distinguishable from DNA-125

Weaknesses:
Heavy

Similar Products Used:
Classe CA-100, Jolida 502A