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H2O Signature Stereo vs H20 Signature Mono Amps

I am in the process of downsizing my rig and am curious to learn more about the H2O amps.

Has anyone compared the signature version stereo amp to the signature version mono amps? If so, please share your findings in the comparing of the 2 set-ups?

Do the signature mono's perform that much better than the signature stereo to justify twice the price?

Is Henry coming out with a pre-amp? If anyone has info on this, please share what you know.

Are the H2O amps a fully balanced design?

I am strongly considering matching a good tube pre with solid state power amplification. If you have had success or failure doing so, with the H2O amps, please share your experiences.

Thanks!
barrelchief

Showing 3 responses by 1953

1953
140 posts
 
Of course it would be fun and real interesting to compare a pair of the S250 Sigs passively biamping a bitchy load with a pair of the Sig monos. Same price point.

Kinda like comparing a chipped out Audi S4 2.7T with a stock BMW M3....let the fun begin!

Jeff
1953
140 posts
 
I'm thrilled with my Signature S250s. I had three of the original S250s for tri-amping and got the first Signature upgrade. It's definitely worth the extra cash and makes me wonder if Henry ought not skinny his line down to just the mono & stereo Signatures while offering upgrades for the earlier products.

My only concern with tube preamps is that some have very high output impedances (over 500 and up to 1500 ohms). The input impedance of the amp is set by the ICE module at 7-8 kHz. You really need to keep the preamp output impedance under 500 ohms otherwise you will compromise the amps bass response, which is one of its most stunning and arresting characteristics.

IMHO, of course.

Jeff
1953
140 posts
 
Barrelchief:

Althought I've lived with both components for some time and I've never tried them with the H2O, I can certainly recommend the Transcendant Grounded Grid pre-amp and Phono Stage as outstandingly good values for the money. I think both would work very well with the S250 Sig. Tube rollers are welcome!

Jeff
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