an update on Def4 amps. One of my Quads went down and so I picked up an Almarro 318B here on the 'gon. I found it a poor match with Zu Definitions. The amp wasn't strong enough in the bass and clearly favored midrange and smooth type sound. It may work with monitors better, but it was one of the worst sounding amps I've heard on Definitions *in my system.* In it's price range, the SEP Mastersound with NOS tubes was much better to my personal tastes.
just landing this afternoon is a Vac Phi Beta, KT88-based, super integrated. I am hoping it will be the cat's meow once appropriately tubed. I have owned a Vac Phi 200 before which sounded a bit SS, but didn't use Black Treasure KT88s on it (which is a large upgrade on my Quads)--the Phi Beta has a full 6sn7 linestage inside that should complement it very well.
i do reminisce quite a bit about FirstWatt- if the SIT2 was 20 watts, I'd probably still own it.
just landing this afternoon is a Vac Phi Beta, KT88-based, super integrated. I am hoping it will be the cat's meow once appropriately tubed. I have owned a Vac Phi 200 before which sounded a bit SS, but didn't use Black Treasure KT88s on it (which is a large upgrade on my Quads)--the Phi Beta has a full 6sn7 linestage inside that should complement it very well.
i do reminisce quite a bit about FirstWatt- if the SIT2 was 20 watts, I'd probably still own it.