Review: 47 Labs Gaincard Amplifier
Category: Amplifiers
I have been a nightclub manager for awhile, and have managed 5 clubs in my home town, NYC. I have recently spent 12 years woking in a club where live music was performed nightly. My idea of a great night out is dinner and a concert at Lincoln Center or Carnegie Hall, or, if I can find it, some live jazz in some out of the way joint with no pretense of grandeur.
My experience also includes time spent selling audio for Leonard Radio in the 70's and work assembling speakers for a friend starting his own company, which only matters because we were constantly being sent equipment to use in demos, and I also helped many audiophiles assemble and install high end systems.
Nonetheless, this is only one man's opinion.
I mostly listen to classical and jazz vocals, and do most of my listening at night. Diana Krall, Andrea Bocelli. Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra are among my faves. I also grew up on rock, from the 60's to now, from the Beatles to Limp Bizkit.
I value imaging and tonality equally, and try to balance both.
The thing I hate the most is a system intended above all to impress the neighbors with prodigious bass that has nothing to do with the music.
I have owned the 25 watt and 50 watt Gaincards for about two months (25) and four months (50).
I had the higher power one first and bought the 25 watt later to see which one I would prefer.
I purchased these through Audiogon, along with my Ocellia Tilia loudspeakers.
Before this I was listening to a pair of Enigna Oremus loudspeakers powered by a Sonneteer Bronte Integrated amp.
My cables are Van Den Hul The First Ultimate interconnects and Teatrac Biwire speaker cables.
When I first bought the Tilias I used my Bronte and was planning to get a Diavolo amp I saw on Audiogon, but the sale fell through, and I saw a 50 watt Gaincard and got that instead. It sounded great.
However, I also saw a 25 watt Gaincard later on and figured I could get it, compare them, and keep the one I liked. I knew the reviews that I had read were for the 25, and was curious to hear the difference.
My opinion is in accord with that of the Sakura Systems website - the 25 watt unit is more natural sounding than the 50.
The benefit of having the more powerful amp is the imaging specificity and presence of individual images within the soundfield, something those who own less efficient speakers may appreciate, but I do not require with my Tilias.
I am currently enjoying one of the best sound systems it has been my pleasure to listen to, much less own.
The 47 Labs equipment is, in my opinion, a major step into a new future for audio.
Thank you for your kind attention.
Ray
Associated gear
Shiragaki DAC and Transport
Similar products
50 watt Gaincard
