I'm just curious about experiences people have had with various switching or digital amps. I ask this both in relation to using such amps in direct connection to a Transporter, SB3, or SB3+DAC and in relation to general thoughts.
As many people know, TAS published a "round table" on switching amps that was controversial, to say the least. Some have argued that most of the contributers were being conservative and using theoretical possibilities to justify having "heard" things a certain way; others have argued that they were dead on and that, for the most part, the technology is not yet mature. Personally, I am a solid state user, despite a lingering thing I have over a McIntosh MC-275. Anyway, here are the switching amps I have tried: Channel Islands Audio D-100 (Dusty is just the nicest guy); Bel Canto eVo 2i Gen II; Nuforce 9.02; Bel Canto e.One Ref1000s (what's with the funny names?). I have not heard Rowland amps, which are a much different take on ICEpower. General feelings: the CI amp was pretty good but not as good as my standard (an MC-402). But, very good nonetheless. I can easily recommend it. Nuforce was weird -- I just bemused by the QC. They sounded just fine, true, but I didn't think they were marvels. Not better than the MC-402; just kinda different, maybe more trebly? Bel Canto integrated -- a real value! Looks nice, sounds great, what more could you ask? Not a "reference" device, but a damn good one. Bel Canto ICEpower amps -- really good. As good as anything else I've had. Mind you, these are nuances, more often than not. I haven't played with true digital amps, like TacT/Lyngdorf. -- highdudgeon Relax. It's about the music. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ highdudgeon's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=2195 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=30464 _______________________________________________ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
