bdp24 reminds me of what was definitely my biggest mind changer with his mention of the NYAL “SuperIt”; probably the most overrated piece of audio gear that I have ever experienced first hand. However, one experience should not a brand “mind changer” make.
I bought the SuperIt after having lived with my first “serious” amplifier (and biggest audio investment until then), the NYAL Moscode 600 as well as two of their preamps back in the early days of my audio journey. Tons of power, but no matter the speaker the music didn’t move the way it should. Not knowing any better I could not believe that the problem might be the “mighty” Moscode. Got rid of the SuperIt and lived with the Moscode for another couple of years.
I then bought a pair of the notoriously power hungry Stax F-81 electrostatics after hearing them make glorious sound driven by their own amps and thinking that the Moscode would have no trouble given its power. Sounded awful; not only no boogie, but tonally weird. Then....an epiphany and one of the biggest audio lessons learned. My local TV repair shop had a lowly Dynaco ST-70 sitting in the back unclaimed and I bought it for $85. I tried it with the Stax thinking “what the hell” and to my amazement......music! No volume to speak of, but beautiful, transparent sound that moved (!) even at low volume. I was amazed. Not being able to afford a proper amp for the Stax at the time I sold them and the Moscode. (Bought another pair of Stax years later and still own them.)
In fairness to NYAL, if I ever find a pair of their Futterman OTL’s that won’t blow up, I just might be tempted.
I bought the SuperIt after having lived with my first “serious” amplifier (and biggest audio investment until then), the NYAL Moscode 600 as well as two of their preamps back in the early days of my audio journey. Tons of power, but no matter the speaker the music didn’t move the way it should. Not knowing any better I could not believe that the problem might be the “mighty” Moscode. Got rid of the SuperIt and lived with the Moscode for another couple of years.
I then bought a pair of the notoriously power hungry Stax F-81 electrostatics after hearing them make glorious sound driven by their own amps and thinking that the Moscode would have no trouble given its power. Sounded awful; not only no boogie, but tonally weird. Then....an epiphany and one of the biggest audio lessons learned. My local TV repair shop had a lowly Dynaco ST-70 sitting in the back unclaimed and I bought it for $85. I tried it with the Stax thinking “what the hell” and to my amazement......music! No volume to speak of, but beautiful, transparent sound that moved (!) even at low volume. I was amazed. Not being able to afford a proper amp for the Stax at the time I sold them and the Moscode. (Bought another pair of Stax years later and still own them.)
In fairness to NYAL, if I ever find a pair of their Futterman OTL’s that won’t blow up, I just might be tempted.