my long-time favorite has been the EICOs, particularly the monoblocks... dynamic, PRATly, and just enjoyable...
well, until a new amp joined the gang --
a fully-restored QUAD II monoblocks!!
got them saturday after about 5 months with the master (who else, but RR) who patiently and passionately had the chassis chromed, the transformers polished with black automotive paint, parts replaced with a combo of black gates, cerafine and auricaps, resistors replaced with riken and kiwame....
after installing NOS and balanced tubes (mullards, GEC, etc), this baby just sang...
it sounded best with vintage Tannoy Stirling and surprisingly drove the LS3/5A to comfortable levels...with the music i love - vocals, light jazz and classical...
this amp is a real winner:
- vocals sounded so natural and organic you can almost feel the singer (i know, i know, you've heard this cliche a few times already!)
- mids to die for... (another cliche)... so smooth
- instruments rendered so accurately, you'ld think it's a SET...very articulate
- huge, deep and very open sounding...effortless
- highs extended...detailed
- deep bass, not as tight and dynamic as the bigger eicos, but very musical.
- very engaging, it got me glued to my system for several hours...
no wonder, during our HK audiotour, we voted the QUAD IIs as best-sounding driving the LS3/5A...
no doubt, it will be a musical and happy holidays for me!!
this amp gets my vote as the most musical and best sounding amp in the house!
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