Can't add anything previous poster didnt cover. Will only part with it when I pass it on to a grandkid.

Wish they were bridgeable so I could run them on my main system.

Very rugged with LED clipping indicators to save it and your speakers. Phenominal sound. Extreme reliability when used properly. Tremendous reserve power: Will play for quite some time after preamp is turned off.

Hard to wire speaker connections. Use bananna plugs only. No power switch. Harsh clipping (but indicators allow you to set volumn just below clipping level).
No protection circuits. Must be idled down after turnoff if wiring is to be fooled with.

This is one of the finest sounding amplifiers ever made. It has fine high frequency detail, superb midrange and huge, tight bass. A look inside shows why: It has a 1000 watt transformer and capacitors big enought to arc weld.
The Model 2 (100 wpc) is placed between the Crescendos (60 or 75 watts) and the Dual Mono Forte (125 watts/ ch). All three are of such fine quality and sound that when B&W introduced its new models at the annual New York Audio Show, the Crescendo powered the DM17s and 7s, the Model 2 powered the 802s, DM7s, and DM14s, while the Fortes were used to biamp the brand new 801s. I have ABed my two model 2s against Adcom, Phase Linear/Carver, NAD, and Ampzilla. Compared to these fine products, the Model 2 had more separation of the various instruments, more detail in the midrage and high frequencies, and exceptionally tight and detailed bass. There is no harshness. Beware: Some of these have had inferior output transistors inserted. At high volumns, they will be harsh and strained. Check for Motorola outputs. Also, use the LEDs. They allow you to play it as loud as it will go without distortion: Just turn it up to where they barely or almost flash.

Customer Service

I sent a preamp back to Audire in California. Julius charged me a dollar for a diode and $15.00 labor. He personally called me when it was ready!
He is retired but still has product, parts, and a great attitude. He answers the phone, himself.

Similar Products Used:

Adcom, Hafler, Ampzilla, Sumo, Phase Linear, Classe, Audio Research.