SET Asylum: REVIEW: Dared VP-845 Amplifier (Tube) by msa

Model:	VP-845
Category:	Amplifier (Tube)
Suggested Retail Price:	$4000.
Description:	Singe ended triode design with 845 tube output; integrated or amp only
Manufacturer URL:	Dared
Model Picture:	View

Review by msa ( A ) on September 10, 2003 at 09:15:38
IP Address: 66.133.136.194

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After years of SS gear and several systems, about 10 years ago I switched to a Sonic Frontiers power 2 and then a Music Reference, RM-200. The former is a push-pull design with 110 watts per channel; the latter is a hybrid product using transistor inputs and 6550 or kt88 output tubes. The sound of the RM was better. Recently, I took the next step to an SET amp. An opportunity to buy a 6 month old Dared VP-845 for little money made the experiment relatively painless. A lot of homework went into learning whether or not 22 watts/channel would be adequate for my set up. It is: in spades! The sound is open - more so than the RM-200 - with more high frequency detail. An example of this can be heard on the MJQ's "No Sun in Venice" disc. Milt Jackson's vibraharp sounds like he is playing on the finest crystal glasses. At the other end of the spectrum is the percussion heard on the Bebo Valdez recordings. These Cuban percussionists sound alive, quick and discrete. No muddy bass here. Complex music on symphonies and large choral works are resolved beautifully. Perhaps the best demonstration of the quality of the midrange is the Jaime Laredo Schubert violin sonatas (with piano). I usually ask my wife to listen in to this and cello recordings because of her younger ears and knowledge and sensitivity to these instruments. She was able to say that this amp nearly made her cry when listening to this disc; a response not heard when she auditioned the RM-200 or any other. The only down side, at the moment, is a slight (and I do mean slight) hum when no source is playing. This is quiet enough to be imperceptible when music is playing. I have not yet attempted to find a source or correct this other than disconnecting the cable to the Music Choice digital box, which had no effect.

Product Weakness: Slight hum - may be system dependent
Product Strengths: Resolution, richness, dynamics

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Dared VP-845
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Audilble Illusions 3A
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Accuphase dv75
Speakers:	Thiel 1.6; Rel strata III
Cables/Interconnects:	Blue heaven, rca
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Jazz, Chamber, Orchestral
Room Comments/Treatments:	Noe other than the fact that there are no parallel surfaces
Time Period/Length of Audition:	48 hours
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Chang Lightspeed 6400
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Slight hum - may be system dependent
Product Strengths:	Resolution, richness, dynamics