@xcool,
Spent about 22 hours listening this weekend to the new 4B3. I’m not a reviewer who uses buzz words well but I’ve tried to avoid expectation bias and be objective. First...Noticed it was completely silent. My Odyssey had a noticeable hum if you put your ears to the Magnepan panel. I Like the 23db Gain switch option, matches better with my Tube Preamp. Runs barely warm to the touch. Sound is transparent, precise and neutral. Listening to strings in the upper end takes you right to the edge as the music is actually played but never uncomfortable. I would describe it as clean and sweet but not subdued or mellow. Another change was the firm low end and control in the middle low end that was lacking with the Odyssey. I now know what smear, or rather lack thereof means. Night and day difference in presentation of an image. Listening to Julliard Strings playing Middle Quartets I could specifically locate where the First, Second, Cello and Viola were sitting. When they played the same note I could still separate them. Pace and quickness much improved. Female vocals were full of air and listening to Gregory Porter’s baritone voice is rich and involving. I listened to Folk, Indie, Light Rock, Techno, Jazz and Classical and did not find anything objectionable. Everything is system dependent of course but it is clear that the 4B3 plays well with others so to speak and gets along fine with the Magnepans, My NuPrime Dac10 and the Freya Plus. If your goal is to manage your sound color and timbre on the front end and have the amp stay out of the way then the 4B3 does just that and will not heat up your room. Head room and power is ample & beyond sufficient so I do not see where I need more than 500 watts with my 4Ohm load. Good Luck.
