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Amplifier reviews from Hardesty's

The current issue of Richard Hardesty's quarterly publication, "Audio Perfectionist Journal", is devoted to reviews of some of the best high-end audio amps available. The following amps that fell generally in the top ranking are: ARC V100 Mk3; Ayre V-5x; Parasound Halo JC1 monoblocks; Nagra VPA; Theta Citadel monoblocks; Theta Dreadnaught II; and VTL 450 monoblocks.

The second group of amps that fell in the very good but not outstanding category were: Anthem PVA7 (MSRP: $1500); Arcam P7; BAT VK-6200; Linn Klimax Solo 500; and Classe CAV-500.

Also mentioned were the following amps that were NOT recommended: B&K 7250; Integra Research RDA-7; and Linn AV5125.

The amps were tested and evaluated by Hardesty and Shane Buettner, who also reviews gear for TAS. The two amps which garnered the highest praise were the Ayre V-5X (a 150 wpc stereo model that sells for $4500), and the Theta Citadel monoblocks (rated at 400 watts, and priced at $15,000 for the pair).

Some sample comments (which I've summarized to save space):
1. The V-5x: "Simply an awesome amplifier, although a bit light in the bass compared to the other amps. Plush, dead quiet background, outstanding image focus and dimensionality, and a highly resolved mid-range. One of the best amplifiers I've ever heard with regard to focusing musicians in space convincingly. The V-5x has a pure and liquid sound that's less "hi-fi" than is typical of solid state. The Theta Citadels, at nearly $16,000, are the only solid-state amps I've heard that match, and slightly exceed, the V-5x's combination of liquid musicality and resolving power. At its price point, the V-5X is a revelation. The V-5x is one of the best power amps available at any price. I've never heard anything with more midrange resolution or better image focus. It's quiet and refined, and exceptionally clean, pure and musical. You have to spend a lot more to get only slightly better performance."
2. Theta Citadel monoblocks: "A no-holds-barred monoblock. The Citadels, by comparison to the Dreadnaught, have better bass, improved midrange resolution, and an airier, more extended top end. They have layers of front to back depth, resolution, and utterly convincing image focus and dimensionality. The sound is also as pure and musical as I've heard from a solid state amp, with the natural, liquid, non-fatiguing sound of tube gear. As excellent as the other amps in this survey are, the Citadels are a cut above them all." Richard Hardesty adds his own footnote to the review, saying: "The Citadels are the best amplifiers I've heard. The provided deal silent backgrounds like the Ayre, holographic imaging that used to be strictly the province of tubes, and bass control and impact that you could never get from tubes..."

The Parasound Halo JC 1's and the Theta Dreadnaught also drew very positive comments, finishing very close to the the Ayre and the Citadels.

I invite our members to add their own reactions and comments to those of Hardesty and Buettner.
sdcampbell
atagi
98 posts
 
tombowlus, audio perfectionist didn't review the enterprise.

bigtee, cool. the dealer i bought my 3a's from has the ayre v-5x, and i'll probably also demo the arc vs-110. not exactly sure when i'll do this because it's a 3 hour round trip. fyi, i sometimes use a jolida 302b 50 watt tube integrated with the vandies in my 14x18 room. no problem.
also ayre has excellent customer service.

sdcampbell, sorry to hijack your thread.

aloha keith
bigtee
803 posts
 
keith, i'm going to listen to the arc-vs110 during the 2cd week in july and the vs55. Should be interesting. i had a dealer tell me that the vs55 was a match made in heaven. he gives private auditions and you can listen till your hearts content. he also said converting them to a balanced input makes them even more special. i went sorta against his advice in getting the ayre but i'm a ss kind of guy but i'll kep an open mind. i just hate the thought of retubing amps periodically. kind of expensive.
mattkimb96
104 posts
 
It's interesting that the Ayre V-1X did not get mentioned in the review while the Ayre V-5x did. The issue seemed to indicate that while the Theta Dreadnaught 2 was more powerful and dynamic for movies, the Dreadnauhgt 1 still had it beat for two channel music. Hope they are right as I just bit the bullet and bought a used Dread 1 off of Audiogon..the perfectionist has been very helpful and is far and away my favorite audio publication. I'll be a subscriber for many years to come...
atagi
98 posts
 
mattkimb,

if it makes you feel any better, i've heard it from other sources, don't remember where, sorry. that the dreadnaught I beats the II. also, from my contacts with richard hardesty, it seems that they listen to alot more products than they mention in the mag, and write about the best and the sometimes the worst. i'm speculating, but i would bet that they listened to the v-1x. if you're intrested, contact apj and ask richard about this.
congrats on the new amp, let us know what you think.

aloha keith
artar1
159 posts
 

Mattkimb96,

If it's any consolation, Thomas Norton tested both the Dreadnaught I and II. He felt that the Dreadnaught II offers a small sonic improvement over the Dreadnaught I.

While it's always good to check audio reviewers' opinions when compiling a short list of amps to audition, the final selection needs to be made based upon one's own personal tastes and preferences, the speakers to be used, the other components in the system, along with room acoustics. It would be a disservice to take anyone's word, even Hardesty's, as the Gospel.

For me, I prefer an amp that has body, richness, warmth, soundstaging, presence, harmonic sweetness, and impact. Dynamics for me are a little less important.

There are a number of amps Hardesty could have tested, but did not: Pass X350, McIntosh MC402, Mark Levinson 432, Ayre V1-X, BAT VK 600, Conrad Johnson Premier 140, Conrad Johnson Premier 350, Belles 350A, Classe Audio CA 301, Krell FPB300CX, Rouge Audio Zeus, Bryston 14B-SST, Simaudio W-5 Limited Edition, Plinius SA-102, and so on. As you can see, there are a huge number of amps to choose from, almost an unlimited number. One really has to think for himself when putting a system together, otherwise one will always be at the whim of current style and taste, which changes every three-to-six months.
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