Somewhat cryptic, but I assume there is a review of the amp on the Ultra Audio website that mirrors Muralman's enthusiasm for the product. Do I get a prize?
Speaking of Henry Ho, I just had his (yet to be released) "FIRE" preamp in my system for a two week trial...one of the best preamps I've had the pleasure to use.
IÂ’ve never been a fan of tubed audio components...In light of that conversation, I find myself in the curious position of suggesting that audiophiles with a taste for tubed electronics
An odd comment, not only because he disavows tube gear, but also because the H20 amplifiers don't sound remotely like tubes.
It seems the reviewer likes amps which are light and nimble rather than lush and romantic...probably why he does not like tubes. I've never heard the H2O's so don't know what they sound like. I was extreamly impressed with the preamp from this company "The Fire"...and Fire is a good name for this baby...cause it do run HOT!...as a matter of fact, when I pulled it out of the box and saw the heat sinks running down both sides I thought it looked more like a power amp than a preamp.
The reviewer refers to the Nuforce' as being "silver" and the H2O's as being "bronze". Perhaps the reviewer is holding out on his "gold". Sometimes it's the reviewer's description rather than his conclusion that intrigues me.
He did say they were "kinda tube like" in a round about way, ie...tube lovers will like them...people who say that usually have not had much tube experience.
light and nimble, lush and romantic, have many flavors...depending on a few things. You could even say...new Krells are light and nimble, while old school Krells are lush and romantic.
Hey Tabl10s, let me say first your children are beautiful. Have you got your system to working condition?
Can I bribe you with eggnog and Dambuie to come down for a new listen? I got my Lambda fixed. The disc is now centered, and focus is way sharper. I also have the preamp Sogood51 has been praising. You heard an early prototype. I hope you like Christmas music.
Boa2 is right. This does not sound like tubes. Like Tvad says about tube amps, the H2O will sound anyway you set it up to sound. My sound like the Audio Note DAC I am using. It is on the warm side. I do think of bronze.
As a point of correction, the reviewer was using silver and bronze to evoke music characteristics, not to award Olympic medals.
Sajran's review was more similar to what I am listening to, but not.
Vince the room is not ready yet. I'll let you use the transport once I burn-in the umbilical from R.A.L. The Kids are okay...I guess. The dog will be leaving soon.
I had the Fire Preamp in my system for a few days. It is big, heavy, and runs hot. I don't know what is inside, but the sound screams MOSFETs. If you like second order harmonics that suggest a "tube" sound, then you will probably like it.
I dislike the veiled and hazey sounded created by MOSFETs in general. This preamp wasn't to my personal liking.
Henry is a wonderful person and the build quality of his equipment is top-notch. Our audio tastes and expectations are just different.
Whimby, welcome to Audiogon. I see you just joined. I have to admit I am scratching my head about just what you are saying. A lot of people have heard my system, some involved in the music business. I have yet to hear any opinion that mirrors yours.
If you don't hear the MOSFET veil, then you don't. I heard it clearly on the "Fire" preamp. MOSFETs can sound clean when you choose the correct one and bias it correctly. MOSFETs are excellent at voltage gain. They get nonlinear with current gain. Nelson Pass and others have written on the subject.
Why would someone join audiogon just to hype his own system endlessly and deny that anything else on the face of the earth might even be remotely as good. Seems weird to me.
Just joined? Check you dates....
Tvad is right. It is in the implementation (and parts selection).
I heard no veil...I compared it to my Audioprism Mantissa tubed preamp which replaced a Bent Audio transformer volume control in my system a couple years ago...both first rate in my opinion.
Amps were tubed monos (Rogue M-120 Magnums) and speakers (Apogee Duetta Signature)...it did take around 2 hours warm up before really opening up and fleshing out. Maybe not a good preamp choice for those users that can only grab a quick listen to their systems...sounded about on par with my Sunfire Theatergrand before full warm up...(good, but nothing special).
After it got "very hot"...(around two hours)...it was one of the better preamps I've had the pleasure to use in my system.
It's attributes are subtle with noting standing out, however...it digs very deep into the recording if you listen. It has a large outboard power supply...three times the size of my Mantissa...probably why the bass is so good.
>but the way to check membership is to click on your monicker<
No that's the wrong way to do it. Go to "my page" and do a member search. Enter the member's username/moniker (not monicker) or email address for his/her information. You'll note in Whimby's case the membership began in April 2005.
Audiofeil, click on my username and you get a wealth of information. You can see I have been posting since 2002. I have 329 posts yada yada. I clicked on yours and got similar. Audiogon got ours right, it seems.
Whimby, I did not start this thread. I do have a system thread, like a lot of other people. The amps and preamp I am using is better than anything I have used in the past.
I have used Pass Labs MOSFET gear and it is good. To all witnesses here, the Fire is demonstrably better. The builder of the Fire is an expert at bringing out the best in audio circuitry. As Sogood51 points out, your experience simply does not jive with ours.
I got an email from another party that tried the Fire."A friend of mine and I auditioned the Fire (for several hours only) and were blown away at the detail.
I know me repeating that quote mounts to hearsay. Take it as you like. The point is, you can't hear fine detail if it is veiled.
Muralman, Yes you do get a wealth of information including "posting since" but it does NOT provide the original membership date which is the issue here.
That's what you're not understanding when Whimby challenged you with "just joined? check your dates......"
Whimby, help me out. There are exactly two Fire preamps in existence. I have been told there are more on the way soon. I have one of the two on loan. Other than the builder, I am the only one to have heard this particular preamp. There is one other loaner. It has traveled to only a select few trusted listeners known by the builder, one being Sogood51. They have all checked in with predictable glowing reports. How did you come by that one preamp?
I was also fortunate enough to demo one of the very rare "Fire" preamp prototypes early last year. It was partnered with my already beloved S H2O amplifier. I thought it was everything you describe and more. There are many of us silent listeners out here that agree entirely with everything you say. I just thought you might appreciate knowing.
Jees Lloyd, I saw that posted on my active threads list, and couldn't remember what it was it's been so long. I can almost cry getting affirmation from you.
You are right, even more than I can say. I put some short ribbon speaker connectors in I made, and the amp, plus preamp responded gratefully. Egads, this gets more real. Write me if you are interested. I spent only 18 bucks making them.
BTW, get some Sonicap Platinum bypass caps in your H2O. If your present rig does not show you why, wait until you get the Fire. I hear Henry is making some now.
I guess Whimby had no rebuttal as this was and still is his only post on the forum. I'm glad to hear Henry is ramping up the preamps. Hopefully I'll be ready to purchase/audition when he's ready.
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