Not Another NuForce thread......

Stltrains, my amps are 2 20 years old JRDG 7M golden giants, and I am starting to get an education in view of upgrading, hence my presence on this and other related threads. I am intrigued by potential of class D/T. Yet I am a seeker, never a 'believer'. For me NewForce is yet another device worth examining. . . critically, that is. . . like everything else I listen to, including the gear I own and love, and any amp that I may have fallen in love but do not own. If audiophiles love Newforce, I wish to find out why, when and how. What amps have they compared it to? What were the differences? Pros and cons? Makes sense?

Guidocorona,

First and foremost, I must confess, I simply do not believe in “giant killers”. I do believe in giants – eg; products that deliver performance previously un-attainable in their price class. More and more often, people are becoming fixated with the notion that they can slay giants with inexpensive marvels. While there are plenty of great alternatives out there – at the end of the day there is only so much performance many of these pieces can offer. The exciting thing however, is that you can get so close – for so little.

Stepping off my soapbox and getting to your questions; I got an ear on the NuForce Ref 9.02 SE a year or so ago. Note that I did not own the piece, nor did I spend a large amount of time with the unit. I heard it paired with a few expensive electrostatics and dynamic cones and domes. This much I will say; if you have speakers that are require lots of current to really sing, and if you like your sound a bit forward and out into the room – with all the added goodies of excellent detail, speed, control, and dynamics – the NuForce could really delight. A good example would be Dynaudio speakers, which I found to be an exceptional match with the NuForce house-sound. One of the things I also love about NuForce is how invested they are into the market. This isn’t just another one-man operation out of some garage – NuForce are in it for the big time. People often don’t know and subsequently cannot appreciate just how much effort that money it takes to do what they are doing.

The H2O Signature 150 is my favorite “powerhouse” class D amplifier. There is no other amp for $2000 that is built so whole-hog. It weighs roughly 50 pounds, and can drive any speaker on the planet (including the vaunted Apogee Scintilla), as it well should. While it is an ICE powered amp, it has a very warm and sweet sound that has offered the best blend of resolution/musicality that I’ve come across in a high powered amplifier. Yet with all that said, like everything else, it won’t be to everyone’s liking.

Guidocorona thats what the site is all about what you have said above. digging for the truth. you can do all of the research you want. as we all know actual auditions of gear in your system is the only way to know the truth. most manufacturers now have a in home audition program. any time you have gear in your system like your giants, and they have proved there pleasure to you over that long period of time is super. good luck in finding a replacement.

Rumadian thank you, your post is very helpful. Stltrains, please tell us more about the relative strengths of the New Force amps you own. What other devices have you compared them to? In what music do they excell, and why?

Rumadian i will be sending in my ref 9 SE amps next week for the V-2 upgrade. as for the strengths of my SEs along with the rest of my system, pure musical enjoyment for hours on end.
They easily drive my tylers which together throw a wide and deep sound stage. imaging that is very well placed. rock bottom bass, mid and upper range that is just right for my preference musical choice rock and roll. My system is completely rebuilt from scratch due to Katrina wiping me out.
Compared to my rotel, rocket setup my new system is easily superior in sound quality, and long term listening.
Other than classic rock and roll. i like the blues with some occasional classical.