Quick side note: Apologies for slight formatting issues in the track listening notes- HTML copy/paste doesn't always play nice!

Enjoyed your write up but I am biased as I still own and use my Apache!

Very useful review of a great product manufactured by a great company. My HR-2 is approaching 20 years old and it still sounds great. Ray uses top notch components in his products which IMO is why they both sound great and stand the test of time.

@Jimmyblues1959 - indeed, clearly the Apache is “heirloom quality”, like my ZMF cans and Norne Audio cables.

I have now connected the Apache as a preamp for my Odyssey Kismet power amp too, and many of the same qualities (low noise floor, clarity, imaging, dynamics) remain strengths of the unit in that mode.

Need more than 16 hours of run in.

No worries, Ray ran the Apache in for at least 50 hours before it left his workshop. Thanks!

Fantastic review. Thank you for taking the time to write it up and share your impressions. It is very passionately written, and I feel as if I am listening along with you.

I just noticed you down graded the stars from 5 to 4.5 wondering why? Also have you tried the sparkos SS2590 in place of the other opas? thanks