Amp shootout.....Tenor 75wi verses Berning ZH270

As one who was there, I would have to say that the difference in sound between the two amps was not subtle - the Tenors were clearly the more satisfying. I think tubegroovers comments about Mike's system are right on point - it has been assembled as an organic whole, with a clear purpose, and Mike has, through both luck and effort, achieved a wonderful sounding system - really magical at times (we listened to a 45prm recording of Louis Armstrong performing St James Infirmary that lingers in memory, wonderful even there, as the best recorded music expereince I have ever had).

My main purpose in taking the Berning over there (other than as an excuse to hear some good music on a great system) was curiousity about just how good the Berning would sound with components that gave it no place to hide. I certainly did not expect it to sound better than an amp costing 4x as much in a system built around that amp.

What I did discover, to my delight, is that the Berning sounded great. I can build around it by upgrading my other components for quite a ways up the ladder before having to make a change in the amplifier, because I have quite a ways to go before the Berning is the weak link. I have only been at this about 18 months, and so am enjoying the journey quite a bit. They are many roads to Rome, and many combinations of components to create a great system. Refining those choices is a lot of fun, not to mention listening to some great music and meeting terrific people like Mike. This has been a rewarding thread for me, as well, because I have gotten to know some other Berning owners.

Cheers,
David

I think we should keep this thread limited to the feedback on the Tenor and Berning amps. If Audiogon allows dealers who are also the sole distributors for other products to state an amp they sell is better than those mentioned, we defeat the idea of this forum. It becomes nothing more than an advertising venue.

This was an interesting article! I'm always curious about how the Berning designs compare with mainstream OTLs.

However, I've found that in testing components, often the devil is in the details. So much so, that the shootout might not be as conclusive as it seems.

In the shootout, was the Berning kept far away from any steel or iron objects, such as other components? Was it sitting on a steel shelf, or near a steel frame of a component stand?

I have the ZH-270. I have noticed--and Dave Berning has confirmed--that it is sensitive to nearby magnetic objects. This is why the case is made of aluminum.

You can try an experiment: wave a steel bookend or something like it over the amp and notice how the sound closes down! (This is true for many components, but perhaps the ZH-270 is especially sensitive because it has so little iron and steel in it to begin with.) You will get the best sound if you keep the amp well away from any steel.

Also, I have found that the sound changes depending on where you place the amp. On the floor, between two large floorstanding speakers, it didn't have the same tight bass control that it does when on a heavy wood table near a supporting wall; frankly, it was a bit boomy. Placed on the table, the boom went away! Further, although it sounds fine on its ordinary rubber feet, placing it on carbon fiber cones seems to change the sound, making the midrange clearer, I think, although this is something of a matter of taste perhaps.

I've tried a couple different power cords...they don't seem to make that much difference, although it is noticable. Interconnects and speaker cables had *much* stronger influence on the sound. Sometimes, I wonder if the cables make more of a difference that the amp; the changes are that large. (I'm comparing $300 vs. $500 silver interconnects. Not the most esoteric wires, but both well-regarded.)

Were the differences between the Tenor and the Berning something which could be accounted for by differences in their interaction with the cables used? Did you check if different cables changed the results? One cable might suit the Tenor better than the Berning. It's at least conceivable since the differences I've heard among cables are significant.

Did you use a preamp in the test? By virtue of it's most ingenious feature--a volume control and A/B switch--the Berning can dispense with a pre-amp and and extra pair of interconnects. Now, this may be "cheating" in a test against another amp which requires a preamp, but if you only need two inputs, the Berning let's you go direct, which can only improve matters. And save significant $. Was this advantage realized in the shootout?

Although Berning's power supply is rated to work with as little as 100V, I've noticed that at that level, power is significantly reduced, and sound suffers even playing at moderate levels. (I live in Japan, where 100V mains is standard, so I use a step-up transformer.) Run with 115V, the sound is much more dynamic and natural. Are you sure that mains voltage was to spec when you ran your shootout? It is not uncommon for it to sag during the day.

Wow, how cool....!
All I have to say is that the UPS man is on his way to my house with a new Berning ZH-270 amp and I'm like a kid before Xmas. Tubegroovers comments are great. The fact that this amp can even be objectively compared with a pentultimate amp(s)like the Tenor and have pretty damn good results from three guys who seem to know what they hear.....that's just cool. Thanks, Mike & Co.

The only thing that would have made this test better (for me)......you may want to think about doing it blindfolded. It removes your subconscious, predetermined bias. It's what we all wish would happen on a professional reviewing forum or at a CES "shoot-out."

Ianrmack, you are going to love that amp. You will not believe how good it sounds till you actually plug it in and listen. It will be a shock. Even after all this talk about it, you can't realize the level you are at till you hear it. Make sure that you read the owner's manual first. Welcome to the Berning Owner's Club.