Macca
04-11-2012, 12:59
Been meaning to do this write up for a while but you know how it is.
Here is a photo of the amp in situ:
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac233/Macca_photos_2009/002-8.jpg
Quite a purposeful looking amp - rated 110w into 8 ohms and 160 into 4. First things first it is unusual in that it has an attenautor control fitted. I assumed this would just be like the gain control on a pro amp so started with it maxed out - no chance! Total gain overload. There is a detente half way so I set it to that and adjusted slightly to acount for different recording levels.
First impressions were more air and space compared to my Linn Lk100. However on more listening bass proved to be uneven and the top end a little tinsely and un-natural. I swapped pre amps from the Croft to a Linn LK1. This evened out the sound a little more and allowed a little more room for maneovere on the gain but after a week or so of extended listening this just wasn't working out for me. My speakers are a difficult load and despite the spec this Sony was just not up to the job.
Anyway, disappointed I decided to swap my LK100 back in. Okay it sounds a little shut in but musically it is still enjoyable as the bass is very deep and tuneful with this amp. The next day in daylight I go to fire up the system and notice that there is a mains cord neatly curled up under the rack - what's this? Only the Linn issue lead that came with my LK100. I had been using a standard black 'kettle' lead - must have happened during my swaps a while back. Okay so I plug the LK100 in with its proper mains lead and switch on.
Oh! Night and Day! Suddenly I have ringing harmonics from guitar strings and shimmering cymbols! This was the old sound I used to have! Nothing wrong with the LK100 after all...how long had I been using the 'wrong' cable? Oh, about 18 months at least. Doh! :doh:
So a positive outcome, although the long and expensive way round. Ah well.
So what to do with this lovely ES power amp then? Well intend to try it with some other loudspeakers (plenty lying about) to get more of an impresion of its true capabilities. Will update later.
Here is a photo of the amp in situ:
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac233/Macca_photos_2009/002-8.jpg
Quite a purposeful looking amp - rated 110w into 8 ohms and 160 into 4. First things first it is unusual in that it has an attenautor control fitted. I assumed this would just be like the gain control on a pro amp so started with it maxed out - no chance! Total gain overload. There is a detente half way so I set it to that and adjusted slightly to acount for different recording levels.
First impressions were more air and space compared to my Linn Lk100. However on more listening bass proved to be uneven and the top end a little tinsely and un-natural. I swapped pre amps from the Croft to a Linn LK1. This evened out the sound a little more and allowed a little more room for maneovere on the gain but after a week or so of extended listening this just wasn't working out for me. My speakers are a difficult load and despite the spec this Sony was just not up to the job.
Anyway, disappointed I decided to swap my LK100 back in. Okay it sounds a little shut in but musically it is still enjoyable as the bass is very deep and tuneful with this amp. The next day in daylight I go to fire up the system and notice that there is a mains cord neatly curled up under the rack - what's this? Only the Linn issue lead that came with my LK100. I had been using a standard black 'kettle' lead - must have happened during my swaps a while back. Okay so I plug the LK100 in with its proper mains lead and switch on.
Oh! Night and Day! Suddenly I have ringing harmonics from guitar strings and shimmering cymbols! This was the old sound I used to have! Nothing wrong with the LK100 after all...how long had I been using the 'wrong' cable? Oh, about 18 months at least. Doh! :doh:
So a positive outcome, although the long and expensive way round. Ah well.
So what to do with this lovely ES power amp then? Well intend to try it with some other loudspeakers (plenty lying about) to get more of an impresion of its true capabilities. Will update later.