Enossification
02-08-2025, 07:56
Usher R1.5 power amplifier mini review
Two years
Test CD's Jamiroquai Dynamite, Damon Albarn Everyday Robots and India Arie Acoustic Soul.
Firstly, this amplifier sounds pretty ordinary when cold with a slightly brittle top end, thin-ish midrange and bland bass. There is little depth and presence.
After a sixty minute warm up in which the amplifier gets very warm to touch, there is an amazing transformation of the sound. The low end becomes very tight and controlled with this amazing presence and depth. I have not heard this before so forgive me but this is to me very special. It doesn't not have the classic transistor thwack and punch but does have amazing grip. The bass also has really good depth into floorstanders. If you only listen to EDM or electronica this is probably not for you.
On India Arie's track 'Brown Skin' I have heard much better bass from a Samson Servo 600 amp but of course this amp swallows that for breakfast in terms of bass quality and presence. This amplifier also displays bass where I have never really been aware of any in the past. Lightweight Genesis albums suddenly have huge low frequency content where appropriate.
The midrange is sublime but sounds very 'valve like'. To me the amp sounds like the best of EL34 vocals but with incredible bass. There is no artifice to the vocals that there so often is. There is no sound of being contrived and artificial, all very natural and highly realistic which when combined with a slightly rolled off treble makes for very easy listening.
The treble is such that many would say this is dull sounding. It definitely sounds rolled off but this adds to the natural sound with no added emphasis. The amp sounds wonderful on that 50's jazz thing. Saxophone sounds stunning.
OK, so to sum up; amazing sound, amazing stereo, amazing bass but restrained. Not for everyone. If you like precise, tight sound with a high degree of punch and grip look elsewhere. This amp suits my speakers very well (KEF R5's) giving an amazing sound. It uses around 72 Watts of electricity on standby that goes up to 720 Watts when powered on but the sound is wonderful although not for everyone. It's consumption of energy is justified.
The best sound is after an hour, wide stereo, huge bass depth and presence, incredible vocals but slightly dull sounding. The volume needs to be slightly higher than normal listening giving the best (lively) sound. Worth the dosh ? I bought secondhand so yes, very worth the dosh.
Two years
Test CD's Jamiroquai Dynamite, Damon Albarn Everyday Robots and India Arie Acoustic Soul.
Firstly, this amplifier sounds pretty ordinary when cold with a slightly brittle top end, thin-ish midrange and bland bass. There is little depth and presence.
After a sixty minute warm up in which the amplifier gets very warm to touch, there is an amazing transformation of the sound. The low end becomes very tight and controlled with this amazing presence and depth. I have not heard this before so forgive me but this is to me very special. It doesn't not have the classic transistor thwack and punch but does have amazing grip. The bass also has really good depth into floorstanders. If you only listen to EDM or electronica this is probably not for you.
On India Arie's track 'Brown Skin' I have heard much better bass from a Samson Servo 600 amp but of course this amp swallows that for breakfast in terms of bass quality and presence. This amplifier also displays bass where I have never really been aware of any in the past. Lightweight Genesis albums suddenly have huge low frequency content where appropriate.
The midrange is sublime but sounds very 'valve like'. To me the amp sounds like the best of EL34 vocals but with incredible bass. There is no artifice to the vocals that there so often is. There is no sound of being contrived and artificial, all very natural and highly realistic which when combined with a slightly rolled off treble makes for very easy listening.
The treble is such that many would say this is dull sounding. It definitely sounds rolled off but this adds to the natural sound with no added emphasis. The amp sounds wonderful on that 50's jazz thing. Saxophone sounds stunning.
OK, so to sum up; amazing sound, amazing stereo, amazing bass but restrained. Not for everyone. If you like precise, tight sound with a high degree of punch and grip look elsewhere. This amp suits my speakers very well (KEF R5's) giving an amazing sound. It uses around 72 Watts of electricity on standby that goes up to 720 Watts when powered on but the sound is wonderful although not for everyone. It's consumption of energy is justified.
The best sound is after an hour, wide stereo, huge bass depth and presence, incredible vocals but slightly dull sounding. The volume needs to be slightly higher than normal listening giving the best (lively) sound. Worth the dosh ? I bought secondhand so yes, very worth the dosh.