Interesting review.
It is an amplifier that is worth a listen.
The problem is the lack of reference.
When you make statements like :
"these are the most dynamic speakers that I have ever heard"
"clarity (double what it used to be), musicality, dynamics the very best, possibly the best that has ever been produced."
" When you listen to a symphony orchestra and find realism that was formerly unachievable with electronic reproduction. "
...it is very hard to find meaning without reference. My neighbor could say all those things and more about just about any system he would listen to, as the extent of his Hi Fi experience is hearing my system while he's sitting on his porch when i happen to have my windows open.
How does this amplifier hold up on less efficient speakers ? Does it still provide low level detail, as well as the dynamic energy it exudes on efficient speakers?
My point is that there is more to offering a meaningful product review than stating things that sound like "this is my new amplifier and it is the bestest amplifier i have ever heard and it can beat up any other amplifier that comes along !"
Obviously i am exadurating here to make a point, but hopefully you see what i am getting at.
I am sure you have owned and listened to a lot of fine hardware in the time before you listened to the ZR1600, but we don't know that from reading your review or looking at your other extensive contributions here (well, to be fair, in your review of another Carver ZR series amplifier you mention that it replaced a Plineus amp).
It is an amplifier that is worth a listen.
The problem is the lack of reference.
When you make statements like :
"these are the most dynamic speakers that I have ever heard"
"clarity (double what it used to be), musicality, dynamics the very best, possibly the best that has ever been produced."
" When you listen to a symphony orchestra and find realism that was formerly unachievable with electronic reproduction. "
...it is very hard to find meaning without reference. My neighbor could say all those things and more about just about any system he would listen to, as the extent of his Hi Fi experience is hearing my system while he's sitting on his porch when i happen to have my windows open.
How does this amplifier hold up on less efficient speakers ? Does it still provide low level detail, as well as the dynamic energy it exudes on efficient speakers?
My point is that there is more to offering a meaningful product review than stating things that sound like "this is my new amplifier and it is the bestest amplifier i have ever heard and it can beat up any other amplifier that comes along !"
Obviously i am exadurating here to make a point, but hopefully you see what i am getting at.
I am sure you have owned and listened to a lot of fine hardware in the time before you listened to the ZR1600, but we don't know that from reading your review or looking at your other extensive contributions here (well, to be fair, in your review of another Carver ZR series amplifier you mention that it replaced a Plineus amp).