2. amps-preamps
  3. 1115858133

Subtlety ? do any American amps do it?

Not heard that many but it strikes me that everything from the colonies sounds a bit stark and bleached. Spent a year trying to come to terms with a Pass Labs which is vastly overated ( and I mean vastly), listened a lot
to Mark Levinson and thought Thank God I did not spend a fortune on that - clean, clear, hifi and so bereft of soul that it was like a visit to the Dentist !
I'm not that biased, it's taken Naim years to make something resembling music - PRAT ? until recently bunch of narrow minded PRATS.I know lots of Naim fans and their mindset belongs to the third reich !
UK companies like Meridian and Musical Fidelity have managed to do the bizz for at least 30 years that I've known/used and they still manage to make a noise that at least resembles real music. MF get tarred with a do it cheap brush but anyone who has heard their gear and says it's crap is probably a dealer who wants to sell you something at 3/4x the price.
The Brazilians do it a treat - Heard Audiopax 88s at the last Edinburgh show and if anyone there had ears, they should have packed up and went home - different league does not describe it.
Realise this is antagonistic but want some input.
Even the UK press seems blinkered to the crap - Pass, Krell
- whoah, nice hifi, shame there's nothing remotely musical involved, apart from the laughter as they take our hard earned money !

I have a Quicksilver phonostage - lovely and a great customer focused company, had a Lancelot Camelot, super and amazingly friendly & helpful people but go to the Big boys and it's just a money grabbing frenzy ?
I dreamed of a Pass Labs for years and ? my next amp will be coming from somewhere in Europe !

Si
simon74

Showing 3 responses by jax2

jax2
3,031 posts
 
I'd agree with Driver, but don't just stop at treating the room, go ahead and treat the whole damn country. I suspect there is quite a bit of bloating and congestion right in the area around where you live. Could be all that warm beer you blokes drink! Did you have a few pints before composing your post?

Marco
jax2
3,031 posts
 
I don't know about subtlety, but as far as outstanding, musical products that get your toes tapping and bring you closer to the music: I'd agree with you on the integrity of Quicksilver products and Mike Sanders. I've enjoyed several of his products over the years including the SET amps in my main system. I'd add George Wright to your list, his products go straight to the heart of the music with no frills or bells and whistles and blue LED's. Terry Cain if you're talking speakers, and Josh Stippich of Electornluv (amazing stuff - nothing like it anywhere in the world - subtlety need not apply here). Portal Panache is a very musical integrated with PRAT to write home about and at a bargain price. Those are just a few, and I'm sure there are more.

Marco
jax2
3,031 posts
 
I had a Naim CD player for a while. I had to get rid of it 'cause it kept leaking oil all over my rack!

Marco
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