JHA Angie and Layla impressions here:
http://www.changstar.com/index.php/topic,2286.msg65780.html#msg65780HE1000 - Much more linear tuning on this unit. However, not as resolving as the last unit at Canjam and not as mind blowing bass response as the CES unit. The driver potential is still obviously there, but I am a bit worried now having heard three distinct tunings of the HE1000 and not sure whether this is intentional of the prototypes or a by-product. The production units will reveal all. I still found this pair (Jude's) to be a bit too bright on the treble shelf. Not peaky or spiked, just enhanced. Bass was harder hitting and more impactful than the Canjam unit but still notably behind the CES unit. Still a little soft and not as fast as I'd like. I should be able to pick out tons of bass plankton when that drop hits on Hotel California (Hell Freezes Over)
-On that note-You vendors using Hotel California from the studio master instead of the live recording are using the wrong audiophile track. Just an fyi. The regular album version is no good to us for AB purposes.
Chord TT - Heard it as an all-in-one at Canjam and was surprised by the intense warmth and lack of clarity from Chord on this. Npot at all what I had come to expect after trying the Hugo soooo maaany times. I was convinced to give it another go as a DAC which was feeding the Liquid Gold and DNA Stratus simultaneously. This time the warmth was largeyl gone and it had that more characteristic Hugo sound which is more on the smoother analytical side. First thing on the Cavalli, I noticed a fatiguing peak or shrillness somewhere in the treble and something of a flubby resonant midbass. I wondered if it was something in the amp. So I changed over to the Stratus which I know well and these issues were also present. Honestly, there was no resolution, imaging or SS presented to pique my interest. In a way, the TT sounded to me like an improved ODAC with a better PS.
People that say the would prefer the GO 450 over the TT are not joking. I can understand the sentiment. For the money, it really needs to best a $200 mini-DAC before it can hope to go toe-to-toe with something like the Yggdrassil. Long way to go....
Project Ember and Polaris - I used an SACD of Elton John I knew from Ron's Cambridge CDT (a device I also know pretty well). I liked the apparent relative clarity and basic resolution for the price point these are at. However, I found both a tad unrefined presenting what was to me a rather rough solid-state sound. Something akin to a constant hash and sparkle that wouldn't go away. For the money, I don't think one can complain too much. I've agreed to work with Ron in future to do more testing at future meets and with the loaner units. I wonder if there might be treble oscillations happening with my louder than usual listening levels.
Black Widow+PS - The most resolving and tube like solid state amp I've yet to hear. Plankton and layers of soundstage galore. The only minor quibbles for me would be a desire for a bit more tube clarity and bit more low bass punch and impact. When I mentioned this, I was told, "One, there are no tubes in this so stfu; Two, the production PS will be even better and should improve the bass further." Fair enough! Great sound at a great price. This is the SS amp for those who love well executed tube sound.
Geek Out v.2 - Solid improvement over an equivalent v.1 in every way. I do think that the gain stages hold to certain characteristics that were present in the v.1 series. That said, relatively speaking it's an improvement in tone, timbre, resolution, clarity and blackness all around.
Fit Ear/Fit Ear - I liked the more linear and neutral re
sponse versus the 334. Hard to compare other factors versus the 334 without it present since i never owned it. Ultimately my UERM outclassed it in all areas that matter to me. No idea what they sell for, but if it's reasonable then they could be a reasonable purchase.
Modded Stax 002 - Honestly these seemed brighter than I remember them. They were too bright for me. Possibly a fit issue here as they were extremely ethereal sounding with very very diffuse imaging. Perhaps the progression of my reference portable rig over the years did these no favors revisiting them again.
Zana Deux Super - It's no secret to anyone I hated the original ZDSE. Too warm, too congested, too constipated (Marv's own words). Purr1n went to work on this thing to make sure I could never bitch about how bad it sounded again. Mission accomplished. Resolving, layered, clear, separated with good sense of air yet still retains a forgiving euphonic warmth in just the right measure to not smear or muck things up. Well done. I could easily live with this amp easily and people think I'm on the analytical side of tube amps. This is the default euphonic tube amp I will recommend from now on.
