"This Latest Digital Amp Is Great "


I see this so often. I wish it would happen.
I really think the builders of these amps shoot themselves in the foot, by rushing to market.
How many of these "Last Word In Digital" amps come out, get great press, then start down the modkateer path for hundreds of dollars in improvements.
These things are supposed to be simpler, sound as good or better than all the best analog amps, and be cheaper.
It hasn't happenned!
I understand the concept of building to a price point.
I don't think anyone has come close, except PS Audio, with the HCA-2. They are a bargain here used, in my opinion.
All the rest are overpriced.
I'm still waiting. It'll finally cool off here in Phoenix soon, and my Cary CAD 300 SEI will glow & those 15 watts of 300B will still rule my audio world.
danielk141
I think there are some pretty nice digital amps out there. The ones I'm most familiar with are Spectron and Bel Canto. As technology evolves, I'm sure there will be many more. I have the JRDG Concerto integrated that Mimberman refers to, and I think it's fantastic. It doesn't sound digital at all--just incredibly clean, clear, and powerful. If you look closely enough, you'll find some pretty sweet digital units.
I'm in the process of looking for, and buying an amp for my new Sophias. Yep,read the claims on the evos and CH.I amps.---Seems I need to pay enough to satisfy my inner audiophool self.---Or hear one driving my speakers;without throwing away a couple of hundred---Much rather throw away thousands on the wrong amp--??__ Looking at a Belles 350a ref--- Just read about the Ayre 5vx or whatever #---???
I am with Daniel on this one. Have tried the Rowland 201 and Bel canto evo4 g2. While bel canto is much better, they still don't compare to tubes or a good solid state amp.

I have yet to try the H20 or Channel Island but unless they are way better than ROwland or Bel, I wouldn't bother.
I for one can say I auditioned both the Rowland 201's and the 501's... while some areas were alright, they didn't grab me the way the Rowland 302 does.

I did purchase, and do still own an ICE based pair of monoblocks that continue to amaze me... they don't look as good as the jewelry casing of the Rowlands, however the Rowlands don't sound as good as what I purchased... IMHO, and as always, YMMV... only advice I can stress is audition *any* of the amps with your own gear, as some of these are more critical of system matching than others as well...