My Impressions of the Concerto

I have had or heard the Matrix,Asgard, PS Audio GCHA and the Glite and I always preferred by a wide margin my Decware CSP-2 tube amp over all the solid state amps I have heard with my headphones. I was about to order a 6W Decware Taboo for my LCD2 when Sokolov decided he wanted to sell his Concerto so I figure why not buy one  more amp to see if I could ever live with a SS amp. The Concerto has and continues to far exceed my expectations. To put it pretty much as is it is the best solid state amp I have heard for headphones.

I will say that Skylab and both Sokolov and Macedonian Hero were spot on in their description  of this amp for the LCD2 and I will forever be grateful for their honest evaluation as I now have found a reference solid state amp that I can live with. The Meir is a very balanced amplifier with outstanding transparency with very good detail. I can and have listened for hours and have not had my Decware on since this arrived. It is a perfect match for the LCD2 and sounds very good with the T1 but the Decware CSP-2 really takes the T1 to another place. The Meir does the same for the LCD2.

The LCD2 has clipped on demanding classical symphony music where the Meir plays them effortlessly. It has power and provides a very nice sound stage with very extended and clean treble and has thunderous bass all presented in a very clean and musical presentation. Jan Meir has created a masterpiece in my opinion that will power all reference cans and allow the headphones to sound their best. My journey has ended with amplifiers as I now have the solid state amp I was looking for and my beloved Decware CSP-2 to  keep me and all my cans happy.

For anyone on the fence with the Concerto I can honestly say do not hesitate. It is dynamic very detailed with great highs and bass and will power both low and high impedance cans with no issue. I am convinced you would need to spend a ton of money to do better than the Concerto. It really shows what Jan Meir is capable of and I highly recommend anyone looking for a solid state amp to look no further. This is the best bang for buck head amp I have heard to date and it’s a cant miss recommendation. My hat is off to Jan Meir for building this outstanding very high quality amp.  Skylab review pretty much said it all and I could not add any more other than this is one hell of solid state design. For me it is nice to just listen to music again.

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Originally Posted by MacedonianHero 

Great write up Frank! Glad you like it as much as I do with the LCD-2s...a great combo for sure.

Thanks Peter and it does mate well with the LCD2 as well as the Fostex and T1 but the Decware really is for the T1 will try the Fostex on the tube amp but I would assume it will also clip on large scale demanding music. It is a great amp and best solid state I have heard for headphones thus far.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NapalmK 

Thanks for the impressions. I think I may end up getting a Concerto if I do end up getting the LCD2. Thanks again!

your welcome it does have synergy with the LCD2

Quote:

Originally Posted by wht 

Nicely written Frank I. I have said it before and I will say it again. The Concerto and the LCD-2 is a sweet combination.

thanks and so true

Quote:

Originally Posted by tisb0b 

Thanks for the impressions and I've been extremely happy with my stagedac + concerto combo with the LCD-2's. 

thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by NapalmK 

Just curious but how is the Concerto compared to the GLite and Matrix?

The Matrix is less refined but still for 270.00 the best for the price value I heard. The Glite lacks the Concerto's power and bass IMO. The Concerto is more powerful and transparent than the GLite and Matrix. The Matrix  I also preferred over the Glite by a wide margin.  The Concetro plays well and I dont need to really go over 9-10 oclock with any can just better than both IMO.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skylab 

Nice impressions, Frank!

thanks Rob