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| Model: | S2A3 |
| Category: | Amplifier (Tube) |
| Suggested Retail Price: | $1800 |
| Description: | Stereo 2A3 amp |
| Manufacturer URL: | Moth |
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Review by Vincent Amrhein on December 25, 1999 at 13:15:43 IP Address: 205.188.192.54 |
Add Your Review for the S2A3 |
The detail, base and imaging of this amplifier are surprising. These are features that are usually the domain of solid state amps. I've read the review by Jack G. Dec.7, 1999 and generally agree with his assessment. I have some minor suggestions. First I'm not sure if the Sovtek 2A3's were availablle on Dec. 7, but if you haven't tried these, DO. They are superb. the edginess is gone.
On the laid back aspect, I never got that feeling because my speakers are forward so it makes a good complement to them. I figured that Mr. Klipsch made these speakers this efficient because in 1945 all he had were tube amps. In fact this is the reason this unit appealed to me. Single end triode, no overall feedback - it sounded like what these LaScalas were built for.
As far as the visual aesthetics are concerned - nothing should NOT be designed to look good. The guy who cried over spending money on design is missing the point. The unit needs a box it may as well be attractive. There's too much ugliness in the name of utility in this world. There are a few engineers who believe this, but not enough. Most engineers can't see beyond the schematic and everything else is an abstraction. I appreciate Craig Uthus effort in this regard.
I don't have an educated ear and can't hear (or perhaps understand) many of the things that audiophile reviewers talk about so I'll end here. I just felt the need to add a few things.
| Product Weakness: | Limited compatibility. Needs careful matching. |
| Product Strengths: | Detail, base, midrange, treble, air without disintegrating the group (listen to a chorale) |
| Associated Equipment for this Review: | |
| Amplifier: | Moth Audio s2A3 |
| Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): | Audible Illusions Mod 3A ; or none |
| Sources (CDP/Turntable): | CDP - CAL CL-10 |
| Speakers: | Klipsch La Scala - 104db/1W |
| Cables/Interconnects: | MIT terminator2/MIT 330 plus |
| Music Used (Genre/Selections): | Choral; Symphonic; Jazz; Blues:Pop |
| Room Size (LxWxH): | 20 x 14 x 7.5 |
| Room Comments/Treatments: | sound absorption panels. |
| Time Period/Length of Audition: | 4mos. |
| Type of Audition/Review: | Product Owner |
Very good. Not much to add to that really. I did try the Sovteks, and they are much better than the sinos, I still prefer the thr RCA biplates. Ishould point out, that you can get much better sound by switching to to a Mullard 5AR4 and switching the drivers too.
enjoy,
Jack
Jack,> > > that you can get much better sound by switching to to a Mullard 5AR4 and switching the drivers too. < < <
TOTALLY agree. When i switched to brown base Mullard CV1377 (military grade 5AR4) the sound was MUCH improved IMHO.
Enjoy the music (Abba "Dancing Queen" right now),
Steven R. Rochlin
"You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life
See that girl, watch that scene, dig in the Dancing QueenFriday night and the lights are low
Looking out for the place to go
Where they play the right music, getting in the swing
You come in to look for a King
Anybody could be that guy
Night is young and the music's high :-{)
With a bit of rock music, everything is f i n e
You're in the mood for a dance
And when you get the chance...You are the Dancing Queen, young and sweet, only seventeen
Dancing Queen, feel the beat from the tambourine
You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life
See that girl, watch that scene, dig in the Dancing Queen..."
Sorry... That message number is not valid.
> > > I figured that Mr. Klipsch made these speakers this efficient because in 1945 all he had were tube amps. In fact this is the reason this unit appealed to me. Single end triode, no overall feedback - it sounded like what these LaScalas were built for. < < <If memory serves me right. Paul Klipsch's favorite tube was/is the 2A3.
> > > The detail, base and imaging of this amplifier are surprising. These are features that are usually the domain of solid state amps. < < <
Over emphasized bass and treble are traits of ss. As for detail?! Tube amplifiers can have as high of a resolution of ss. Many are razor sharp and analytical. However the best tube amplifiers (IMHO) are able to be resolved and warm. As live music has both qualities. For me this is the key to very accurate playback. That being an amplifier that is able to convey both emotion and detail.
What I like about the Moth is the balance from top to bottom. With the midrange being in balance with both. On the other hand 2A3 amplifers excel in the midrange.
If you thought the Sovtek was an improvement over the Sino. Try some NOS RCA bi-plates. Also the new AVVT betters the Sovtek. However it can be microphonic.
Enjoy!
Also have you tried upgrading the driver or rectifier tubes? This also yields a substantial improvement.
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