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- Preamp, Processor or Receiver
- StormAudio ISP Elite 24 MK3 Processor
- Main Amp
- McIntosh MC1.25KW Monoblock Amps
- Additional Amp
- StormAudio PA 16 MK3
- Computer Audio
- Intel NUC w/ Roon ROCK
- Universal / Blu-ray / CD Player
- Panasonic UB9000 4K UHD Player (for media discs)
- Front Speakers
- RTJ 410
- Center Channel Speaker
- MartinLogan Focus C-18
- Front Wide Speakers
- JTR Neosis 110HT
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- JTR Neosis 210RT
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- JTR Neosis 210RT
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- JTR Neosis 110HT-SL
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- JTR Neosis 110HT-SL
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- JTR Captivator 2400 x6
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- VTI Amp Stands for the Monoblocks
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- Sony 98X90L
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- Universal MX-890
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- FireCube for movies and Lenova Carbon X1 for Roon
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Lifetime Roon Subscription
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- Dish Joey 4K
- Other Equipment
- Zero Surge 8R15W-1 | Salamander Synergy Equipment Stand
There seems to be quite a storm over Class D amps in the past couple of years, particular the Ncore and Purifi based models. If I remember reading correctly, the same guy designed both, with the Purifi being his latest. I had not even heard of Purifi until the guys at NAD were telling me about them, which caused me to start looking around a bit.
After I sold my Emotiva XPA-1 monoblocks, thinking I'd be fine with one amp doing it all, then I got the bug to add Atmos wide channels and ended up diving right back into monoblocks. I got the HTP-1 processor, and having the extra channels to do wides and having some extra speakers, why not give it a try. So... I decided I wanted small and powerful monoblocks and went with the Wyred 4 Sound SX-1000R amps, which appeared to be a good fit for the Martin Logan stats, and would have more than ample power to drive them.
With all the buzz around the Ncore and Purifi amps, I've been tempted to try a pair, but I just don't think I'll notice any difference. Despite being skeptical of my hearing, I figured I'd ask around some of the manufacturers and here are some of the responses I received from four different manufacturers...
"The upgrade in the DAC’s and PURIFI amplification will be huge."
"the Sparkos are softer and will give you more bass and tonal density. They will drive the Martin Logan's just fine" (referring to deciding between which op-amps to choose)
"for your speakers I would recommend our NC1200SL with Sparkos op amps. I would not recommend Purifi for electrostats because of the minimum impedance that such speakers have" (contradicting the previous manufacturer)
"boutique buffers just don't offer any better performance than high quality options from the likes of Texas Instruments. Some of the boutique options actually perform far worse. They are all far more expensive. Its more about "up selling" and getting the customer to spend more rather than any actual technical or subjective improvement"
Some of you may remember our blind (and non-blind) amp evaluations we did back in 2015. We (Wayne, Joe, Leonard, Dennis and myself) evaluated the following amps:
We can easily blame it on the rest of the equipment not allowing us to hear any significant differences along with the fact we did not live with each amp over an extended period of time to get more accustomed to the differences. So none of us walked away being adamant that there are no differences in amps. However, we also kept in mind that ultimately if the amp is doing its job, it should be neutral and not color the sound.
I guess what I'm getting at with the new amps, are they using the op-amps to change the sound and does it really work? What's all the fuss about?
After I sold my Emotiva XPA-1 monoblocks, thinking I'd be fine with one amp doing it all, then I got the bug to add Atmos wide channels and ended up diving right back into monoblocks. I got the HTP-1 processor, and having the extra channels to do wides and having some extra speakers, why not give it a try. So... I decided I wanted small and powerful monoblocks and went with the Wyred 4 Sound SX-1000R amps, which appeared to be a good fit for the Martin Logan stats, and would have more than ample power to drive them.
With all the buzz around the Ncore and Purifi amps, I've been tempted to try a pair, but I just don't think I'll notice any difference. Despite being skeptical of my hearing, I figured I'd ask around some of the manufacturers and here are some of the responses I received from four different manufacturers...
"The upgrade in the DAC’s and PURIFI amplification will be huge."
"the Sparkos are softer and will give you more bass and tonal density. They will drive the Martin Logan's just fine" (referring to deciding between which op-amps to choose)
"for your speakers I would recommend our NC1200SL with Sparkos op amps. I would not recommend Purifi for electrostats because of the minimum impedance that such speakers have" (contradicting the previous manufacturer)
"boutique buffers just don't offer any better performance than high quality options from the likes of Texas Instruments. Some of the boutique options actually perform far worse. They are all far more expensive. Its more about "up selling" and getting the customer to spend more rather than any actual technical or subjective improvement"
Some of you may remember our blind (and non-blind) amp evaluations we did back in 2015. We (Wayne, Joe, Leonard, Dennis and myself) evaluated the following amps:
- Behringer EP2500
- Denon X5200 AVR
- Emotiva XPA-2
- Exposure 2010S
- Krell Duo 175
- Mark Levinson 532H
- Parasound HALO A31
- Pass Labs X250.5
- Sunfire TGA-7401
- Van Alstine Fet Valve 400R
- Wyred 4 Sound ST-500 MK II
We can easily blame it on the rest of the equipment not allowing us to hear any significant differences along with the fact we did not live with each amp over an extended period of time to get more accustomed to the differences. So none of us walked away being adamant that there are no differences in amps. However, we also kept in mind that ultimately if the amp is doing its job, it should be neutral and not color the sound.
I guess what I'm getting at with the new amps, are they using the op-amps to change the sound and does it really work? What's all the fuss about?