PS audio hca 2 feedback...

VALUE!!! While my HCA is no longer my primary amplifier, it's now powering my outdoor system. Decoupled the transformer from the chassis, Black Gate caps, and a beefy DIY shielded AC chord, made a considerable improvement. I wouldn't hesitate to suggest a used one and have the full RAM mods done.

I didn't experience any of the high or mid range issues mentioned above and I went from a tube preamp to solid state/battery. Upgrades in digital playback, phono cartridge, and speaker system, were clearly noticible using the HCA. At first the bass seemed only slightly thin until I compared it to a couple of amps that are famous for their bass reproduction and upgraded my preamp. I preferred the more precise rendition of the HCA, and I'm not calling it tight, rather much more accurate in timbre. While the other two had more of that flabby bass that many seem to enjoy, the HCA has the ability to start the note quicker than the others, IMO.

It's very difficult to convey quantitative sonic differences but let me give it a shot. Prior to the stereophile review I purchased an HCA and my first impression was as Nightdoggy states above, 'harsh' and I might add thin in the bass. An Inmate suggested leaving it on but how long had not yet been determined. I set my player on repeat and left for a two week vacation. Upon returning the difference was indeed like a different amplifier. For the sake of this conversation if I call that a 100% difference then installing the Black Gates seemed like a 30% increase in refinement. I should add that the Black Gates took a very long time to run in and the amount seems to vary a great deal, so be prepared.

Even more refinement came in the way of metal clad VAC, shielded power cable, decoupling the transformer, mass loading the case, and suspending it. The RAM modifications seem to go well beyond my experience with the HCA.

Since you have two amplifiers it would be amazing to have one modded and have a serious comparison.