Just took delivery of the Red Wine Audio 30.2 and-


...and this thing is quite miraculous really. Have recently had the Lavardin IS Reference and Shindo Aurieges/Montille combo in house played over Living Voice IBXR2's via Auditorium 23 speaker cables with a Lector CDP 0.6T mk. 2 player-- and let me tell you, this little Red Wine punches like Mike Tyson and sings like Callas.
Specifics? Yah-- I got yer specifics right here... tight DEEP bass (I mean it-- frightening!), black backgrounds, wiiiide soundstage (the sidewalls are alive with the sound of music yada yada)Defined/refined treble (supposed to get better with age-- 100 hrs or so). Shall I continue? Thank you.
A breezy user interface, sharp looks, a crisp feel to the volume control/solid build in general and no need for a Fatboy Electraglide mk. 8 SE power cord etc. This amp is thus far dynamic, detailed and refined.
Criticisms? So far a few minor ones. It could be-- and I mean could maybe be... a hair brighter balanced. The treble's all there in spades, though it's certainly a shade darker than the Shindo gear for example (which for my taste-- may be a hair too tipped up tonally-- so what 'the tonal truth' is here... only Harry Pearson knows).
The RWA is punchier and more alive than the Lavardin (as promised by the Vinnster), with perhaps a broader soundstage and a bit more dynamics-- yah--not quite as sleepy-- which was perhaps my only niggle with that otherwise splendid amplifier.
Finally, in the way of niggling, I myself might like even finer gradations on the volume control for those times with a string quartet when you'd like juuuuuust a WEEE bit more volume to make it sound live-- but not a whole lot. Incidentally, the remote is super small and cutie and functions like a charm-- perfect.
Now the kicker--- I have a Manley Stingray enroute to my home as I type this and that comparison should be REAL interesting.
I shall rid myself of the loser, and that means yes-- as phenomenal as this RWA 30.2 is so far-- if tubes give it a sound trouncing-- back to Vinnie it shall go within the alloted trial period (and dont let the door hit you in the ass on the way out etc).
I am very interested to hear the tonal differences, as I thought the Shindo stuff would be richer etc. and perhaps the opposite is true. Incidentally- both the Shindo stuff and the RWA are quite pacey and involving-- high on my priority list. Havent listened to many great piano recordings with the RWA as yet-- and this is one of my true tests in terms of tone/density and all that jazz. Perhaps tonight.. I'm praying for density and not just leading edge flash n' tinkle.
But even still-- the sheer convenience of the thing--the elegance/simplicity of the design and the direct and uneventful way in which it goes about the business of DOING its business... is something rare-- certainly at this price point.
It isnt often I like the sonic signature of components a certain Head Moonie recommends (IMHO often a touch on the squeaky clean and bright side or possessed of, to me anyhoo, idiosyncratic tonal signatures-- at least in the past)-- but on this one I wholeheartedly agree. If I were to review the RWA amp in two words or less after only a single day of hearing thing, I would write: NO JOKE.
The RWA 30.2 is thus far cutting a good deal of mustard. One day of ownership though doesnt quite cut the ketchup in terms of the credibility of this opinion and so we shall see what tomorrow holds; the Stingray, the power, pride and prejudice of Evanna Manley and Bob Neill, my own sonic pleasure, and the very existence (in my home anyway) of the RWA amp hang in the balance...

(too much? Dramatic though-- you gotta admit- I was on my lunch hour. Well.. better than just saying Vinnie's a friggin' genius and the RWA is really err.... good so far:)
abramsmatch
Hi Don
Yes he had the Sig 30 and later had it fully upgraded to the 30.2 and the top end is much more refined with the 30.2. He said the difference is very obvious and it was a big improvement and well worth the cost. yes he does listen to classical as well as jazz, and some blues and rock.
I never owned the Sig 30 so I cannot say how it sounds on the Gallo 3.1s, but the 30.2 really sings with them and I am very satisfied. According to what I've been reading on the forumjs and the 6moons review the 30.2 is better than the orginal 30 in many areas and not just the top end.
I am just patiently waiting for the Isabella preamp!!!

Jeff
FWIW, based on some of the private emails I've received along with what I've read on-line, I conclude that I may not have been trumpeting the virtues of the original Sig 30 quite so loudly.
The 30.2 seems by all acounts a much more refined and just all-around better amp.
Hmmm, that makes my upgrade decision a bit more difficult since it appears the improvements to the Sig 30 address my main area of concern. One thing I did not mention is that I run my source components (CD/SACD player and phono pre) directly from the amp using the now discontinued Sig 3S source select switch and have not yet experimented with a tube line preamp in the mix. I've read that this adds more "bloom", etc. to the treble in some systems. However, I still notice the same treble characteristics whether I'm listening to vinyl or digital, despite the fact that my phono pre (Audion Trode Silver Night) utilizes tubes.

Don
Musicus53/Jwarmbrand, what cables are you/your friend using? I use the Auditorium 23 speaker cables with fabulous results, still searching for an interconnect though.
I too am wondering about this upgrade from the SIG 30 to the SIG 30.2.
I loved the sound of the SIG 30(in system for 4 months) but when i put back in my WRIGHT WPA 3.5 SET amps into service i couldn't get myself to swap back. The RWA is an awesome amp and it was just lacking some things that the Wright was doing correctly to my ears. Now if this SIG 30.2 can take the huge step towards that SET sound as the SIG 30 was getting close to achieving, well then we have my unit going back to Vinnie at RWA for an upgrade. I don't need the headache of tubes in my life. The Sig 30 was close but it wasn't THERE. So if anyone can comment on this i would be grateful!