The Tripath Bronte was recently reviewed in a Brit Hi Fi rag and they didn't like it very much, although they tried to smooth things over by saying it was "tube like". I lived with it for two years and wanted for nothing. I still own the Bronte and would like to sell it, but if I had to live with it again and use it to drive my high end rig I could live with it, no prob, Bob.
The Gaincards (I own both) are by far the most neutral amplification it has been my pleasure to own. However, I must confess to a bit of displeasure over the price asked for these amps. They are excellent, no doubt, but they are not fairly priced considering the quality of the level potentiometers and switches used. I have had a real lot of trouble with imaging due to the difficulty of insuring channel balance with these amps. It is often necessary to "fiddle" with the switches on these amps in order to get the soloist back in the center where he/she belongs.
At this price range this is not only unexpected, it is unforgiveable.
It is only for the sake of the sense of reality afforded by the 25 watt Gaincard that I put up with this.
I plan to have the unit serviced and the potentiometers replaced.
The Gaincards (I own both) are by far the most neutral amplification it has been my pleasure to own. However, I must confess to a bit of displeasure over the price asked for these amps. They are excellent, no doubt, but they are not fairly priced considering the quality of the level potentiometers and switches used. I have had a real lot of trouble with imaging due to the difficulty of insuring channel balance with these amps. It is often necessary to "fiddle" with the switches on these amps in order to get the soloist back in the center where he/she belongs.
At this price range this is not only unexpected, it is unforgiveable.
It is only for the sake of the sense of reality afforded by the 25 watt Gaincard that I put up with this.
I plan to have the unit serviced and the potentiometers replaced.