"D" amps, general discussion who's 1 and why?

Hello Dev,

"Sbank, there are few that have gone from Tube amps to specifically Spectron amps latest version. There is a lengthy but very good review on Audiogon from one owner and the amps he compared to which are very respected, there are others also and this is why these have peaked my interest and want more thoughts from others regarding this..."

I am not sure if you mean my review where I compared Spectron (positively) with VTL Sigfrieds but if its true I heard other tube amplifiers since.

While, I will not take a "penny" from Spectron - its good amp, there are few OTL amplifiers which lead you directly to heaven. I mean Athma-Sphere and Joule-Electra, and to ask which is better its the same as to ask who is the better painter Susanne or Degah (spelling is bad?).

I will rephrase: do you prefer hi-res photo portrait or the paintning by TALANTED artist which can look into the soul of individual. I know my answer.

All The Best
Rafael

Dear Dev,

I did not see any other "big" speakers. If you can try Joule-Electra (or powerful Athma-Sphere)it could be interesting experience for you. While Joule Electra list Rite of Passage as theirt most power amp (200 watts), they have even more powerful, Destiny - 300 watts per monoblock and as far as I understand they have all specs and looks identical to Rite of Passage but have 4 tubes more..

Vicdamone: "What happens when Kal reviews a product? " Not much, I am afraid - simply I give more weight to the rumors and writings about the product and sometimes I will go to do serious audition myself if I need this type of equipment. I do respect a few reviewers, Kal is one of them.

Dear Snopro. Yes, I fully agree with you. I have now REX by BAT - very good preamp. Simply I expect more from Joule-Electra "Marianne Electra Memorial Edition Preamp"..I will see.

All The Best
Rafael

Hello Dave: Never make assumptions. I own a pair of Spectrons with all upgrades ($21k retail). Good amps. I heard a lot about your Jeff Rowland ($9k) and I am well familiar with Rowland 312 ($14k) - you probably can add new Bel Canto Ref1000 Mk2 ($6k/pr) but I will wait Kal's review and then I will add it to the list of 1st class - class D amplifiers

...and then I spent a week in Canada and friend of the friend owns Joule-Electra Rite of Passage and big MBL speakers. I spent a large number of hours , almost every day, in his listening room. I will not tell you how accurate was this or inacuracte was that (I am professional cellist) - frankly I did not give a ... I knew I can't stand, I can't leave, I can't stop listening to the music. It was increadibly REALISTIC representation of REAL music. I am like a dog - I can tell you what I hear, I can't explain why (I did not hear euphonic even order or other kind of distortions, sorry)

Joule-Electra's web site is a bit neglected so you have to do your own research..... and you will discover that his "equipment" was reviewed time and time again by Harry Pearson of TAS, David Robonson of Positive Feedback and such, that he has many prestigeous awards etc etc.

So at first I thought that I am insane but now I know that I am only poor. I can't afford big MBL with Rite of Psssage.

I suspect that you want to say that I was hearing effect of MBL. Its true but I heard to these great speakers with so many solid state amps (including MBL) that I know that I heard - I heard "magic" pure and simple "magic".

So, Dave - let us enjoy good amps we own but please let me dream about listening to REAL music or....its SOUL

All The Best
Rafael

Dear Dev, Please see above in my response to Dave what I heard in Joule-Electra power amp. To your amin question: Yes, we all heard about new upcoming killer preamp from Joule-Electra and I know personally the gentleman who you mentioned. My current preamp is REX by BAT, truly excellent preamp. However, in a few days I will be receiving new Joule-Electra flagship preamp - I never heard it, I got it only upon recommendation of this person - and he did only excellent recommendation (so far that is).

If ths preamp has some family resemblance to Joule-Electra power amps I expect to be in heaven...

I will let you know and if I will like it... I will write serious review.

Thank you and all the best.
Rafael