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Fezz vs Raven

Hello all. I'm starting to look into adding a turntable to my system. I would like to pair said turntable with an integrated tube amp.  I want to get a set up that is good enough that I won't be looking to upgrade in a year. A Michell Technodec paired with a Fezz Evolution Titania was recomended to me by the gentleman at Auralhifi in Denver. Thinking is that that turntable and integrated tube amp are of high enough quality that they'll provide a listening experience that'll be hard to beat and keep me satisfied for years to come. Maybe not reference level but damn good. At the same price point as the Fezz is the Raven Nighthawk.  Both have good reviews and seem solid. Does anyone have experience with these brands?  What are your thoughts?  My speakers are 95db sensitive with active woofers so won't take much to drive. Thanks for any input. 

sandrodg73
moonwatcher
435 posts
 

A well-designed tube amp has "safety resistors" that will melt long before the tubes redline or "hot plate". Cheaper tube amps might not have this safety feature though.  But "Skunkie Designs Electronics" on YouTube has done tear downs and upgrades of the "cheap" Chinese Willsenton R8 and the Muzishare X7 and they had such resistors in place, although she thought to change the value on one of them for better safety I think. The main thing separating these "cheap" integrated tube amps from the better ones is likely the quality of the transformers. Tube amp circuitry hasn't much changed in 70 years. Of course, anything electrical, even your TV or printer can have an "issue" and burn.

moonwatcher
435 posts
 

Only thing I can say about Fezz is that during a review in Stereophile of one of their amps, the guy found out that one channel was down about 3dB from the other one. He never figured out why but did the review anyway. This issue was hopefully a "one off" that is not indicative of the general quality Fezz devices have. I'd just want to know return policy and costs up front if necessary for any electronics I buy, just in case. 

allears4u
134 posts
 

I've owned the Raven Nighthawk for at least 5 years now. As a tube newbie I made every mistake imaginable. Wrong tubes in wrong spot, ran without a speaker connected. put too much nano contact enhancer on everything, This unit is super well built and reliable in the extreme. But more importantly, it punches way above its price point! The sheer humanness and shocking real-ness really grabs your attention. I have Klipsch Lascala II's, my source is primarily an Audiolab CDT6000 transport and a Nuprime SE9 DAC. What's underrated is the personal service the owners invested into my individual issues and questions. AND...the main owner Dave Thomson (Raven Dave) is a "tube guy" that treats your tube choices as a master chef giving you advice how to curate the perfect "flavours" of your amp to synchronize perfectly with your room, equipment , and personal tastes. Amazing Integrated amp and company, cannot recommend too highly!!    

sfar's avatar
sfar
1,758 posts
 

I'll echo allears4u's endorsment of Raven amps. I owned a Raven Blackhawk for several years and loved it. The personal attention from the owner, Dave Thomson, was remarkable, as well. 

crawfishdaddi
32 posts
 

I'm currently running a Raven Audio LE Osprey and I absolutely love it. Here is my full review of it (including the A-B test against the McIntosh MA252 Hybrid):

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/review-of-the-raven-audio-osprey-integrated-tube-amp-and-corvus-referen

Where else are you going to get a super high-end amp that ships with NOS tubes??! 

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