'Would also like to see a compro maybe against other amps in its (~$300) price range. But seems changing out the tubes would change impressions everywhere! Which makes it complicated when trying to determine "bang for buck."
This is my first amp so I have nothing but a sound card to compare it to:
HA22TUBE arrived.
Plugged in directly from X-fi MB stereo out to Left/Right RCA cables. Then into amp. Out to the ATH-W11JPN:
Classical has more density and better instrument placement (as expected of Hybrid Amps). They dont sound so crowded together anymore! Slow-paced songs are enhanced with deeper details such as more natural strumming of acoustic guitars. Violins are more vivid as I can see the pulling of the Bow in my mind and almost smell the wood! Piano keys and drums resound more naturally as well and fill the "room." The intensity of the musician's playing can now be heard & FELT as if I was sitting in concert immediately nearby.
Faster-paced genres like pop aren't a strong point of the W11JPN as it is overwhelmed/crowded
and seems slow in conveying the song to my ears. However, this amp cleans up the delivery to enjoyable levels.
1.5.15
Adding a step-down transformer removed a good chunk of harshness. I dont have to use the -10dB defeat switch anymore! So now, I can turn the knob further up. Sound is more balanced with less volume SPIKES. A little more details can be heard in the background. This is from my SportaPros, which aren't reached for if I want to hear details! Plus, longevity of the unit should ensue (correct voltage usage)!
?.?.15
Now, I'm kind of deaf and my setup is kind of harsh even for me! At some point, I added a Stereo to L/R Composite Y-Cable with a Ferrite Bead on it. This brought the harshness down to a more acceptable level and some details from the songs' background, closer to my ears.
W3000ANVs aren't even burned in yet >< ... wouldn't be fair to put in a review just yet ...
