Leben CS-300 compared to Red Wine


In the market for an amp to join a pair of Devore Nines, with digital source (Mac); room about 17x25x8.

I heard the Leben with the Nines and loved the combo, just about ready to commit. However, obsessive audio speculation compels me to keep wondering about unopened doors, lately Red Wine, which I've read was another good match for those speakers.

Unfortunately I haven't been able to hear any of their gear---specifically I was intrigued by the Signature 30.2 amp and Isabella pre---so I wonder if anyone can offer any wisdom from personal experience: Leben sound, Red Wine sound? And what does it mean that Vinnie Rossi's gear is supposed to hit some middle ground between tubes and SS?

Many thanks.
price

Showing 1 response by edo_musica

@Watercourse, what preamp did you use with the RWA 30.2? And
what did you end up to for an amp after the RWA?

@Price (the OP), did you make a decision on the amp and preamp? I heard the CS300 with Super 8s fill a loft space 20ft x 30ft x 18ft ceiling. I want to try a CS600. I would love to hear it in my own place.

I had the Super8's and now I have Nines with a 30.2 amp and a modwright 9.0 tube amp in a 19 x 13ft x 8 ceiling. Turning my preamp knob past 4 dots (12 o'clock) would be extremely loud....too loud. I listen at half that typically. The 30.2 amp comes in two different gain settings. I have the 24db amp, and a 30db is also available. I find the bass extremely tight and precise on electronic and acoustic music. If the Highs are rolled off--they definitely are not emphasized-- I do not know if that is my tubed Brick DAC, the tube pre, the amp, or the speaker design. But I know that my system is not bright or shrill and I can listen to it for 8 hours. Ah...

I still would like to hear the CS600 in my system someday.

Cheers,
ed