Amp/Preamp Asylum: REVIEW: Granite Audio Aspen 834 Amplifier (Tube) by mcw120

Model:	Aspen 834
Category:	Amplifier (Tube)
Suggested Retail Price:	$2400
Description:	Integrated Tube Amplifier w/ remote volume
Manufacturer URL:	Granite Audio
Model Picture:	View

Review by mcw120 ( A ) on November 24, 2003 at 15:31:38
IP Address: 66.56.61.171

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Let me start this review by saying that the Granite Audio Aspen 834 Integrated amp is spectacular. Furthermore, the company has a 30-day in home trial so I had nothing to lose by trying it, and I am still in my trial period. The rest of the story is a little longerâ€¦

I was not in the market for a new amplifier, I was and am in the market for a new surround sound premap/processor. After testing several units (Anthem, Parasound, EAD, Rotel), I realized that none of these sophisticated DACs could match the performance of my Granite Audio 657 CD Player. Disappointed, I called Granite Audio to ask them if they were planing on making a Home Theater pre/pro. Unfortunately, they are not. However, while talking to Don Hoglund (Granite Audioâ€™s president) I found out that they had a reasonably priced ($2400) integrated amplifier that might be just right for my bedroom system. Currently I had a PS Audio HCA-2 amplifier and an Anthem TLP-1 preamp, and to be honest I really was skeptical that the Aspen 834 would beat my current combo. But, since they have a 30 trial, I decided to give it a shot.

I had the Aspen 834 sent overnight, and it arrived the next morning. I was surprised at how large the box was. Next I was surprised at how heavy the unit was. For $2400 I was really not expecting the unit to be this well built. Don Hoglund had explained to me that they had â€œcut costsâ€ on the parts that did not affect the sound, so I guess I was expecting the unit to have a much cheaper feel. The unit is actually really well built, and feels like a â€œhigh endâ€ piece of equipment. The remote control looks like an old TV remote. It is about the size of two decks of cards stacked on top of each other, and it is made out of what looks and feels like steel. It looks very â€œretroâ€, and only has two button (volume up and volume down) and is very heavy. The speaker connectors and inputs are excellent quality, and the connectors are spaced apart widely enough to use good cables. Overall the build quality seems excellent (time will tell how it holds up).

My next concern was the power. My PS Audio HCA-2 is rated at 150 watts per channel, and the Aspen 834 is only rated at 30. However, when I turned it on, the 834 was more powerful than the HCA-2. To be fair though, I am using small Mirage Omnisat speakers, and they are not hard to drive, but I can tell that I have much more power than what I need.

Overall the sound is phenomenal, highlighted by a smooth presentation and incredibly realistic sounds of instruments. So good in fact that I am considering replacing my home theater amplifiers (Odyssey Stratus Monoblocks) with the Granite Audio 861 Monoblocks. From the moment I turned it on, I knew that the unit was here to stay. I know it sounds silly, since I am used to having to really listen to something to see if I like it. So often, the differences between different pieces is small, the difference here was so great, that I have no plans to A-B test between the 834 and my old set up (they are for sale by the way).

I have had tube amps (Sonic Frontiers Power Two amp and Line 1 preamp) in that system before and they were very, very good. I really did not expect this â€œinexpensiveâ€ and simple integrated amp to beat it, but it did. The sound is very rich, and full. With the tubes I have in there (the ones that came with it), the sound is not overly warm, but the instruments sound like instruments. At times it is really startling to hear how real some of the sounds are. I actually find myself just enjoying the music, rather than listening to the sound. I have listened to about 15 CDs though the unit so far, and in each one I have heard instruments that I did not hear before. Its not that the amp has more detail, it just seems like what used to be sounds, are now instruments.

I am not a professional reviewer, and I am not an expert on tube amplifiers, but I have been an â€œaudiophileâ€ for about 20 years. I have heard many different systems, most recently ( four days ago) a McIntosh preamp/amp/cd system with B&W 801 speakers, and I can tell you that the sound I got from the Aspen 834, Granite Audio 657 CD player and my Mirage Omnisat speakers with an Audio Concepts sub, is better than what I heard from the McIntosh and B&W system. The bottom line is that this is one of the best amplifiers I have ever heard.

There are some negatives however, the instruction manual is not that informative, and there is a blue LED on the front of the unit that really is bright when the lights are out. Since this is for my bedroom system, I had to color over it with a black marker to dim it.

In conclusion (finally), I am amazed with this integrated amplifier. It has replaced a Sterephile â€œAâ€ rated amp, and has beat it by such a large margin that even my girlfriend (who thinks I am crazy for spending so much time and effort on this pursuit) sat next to me and listened because the sound was so sweet. I am eager to see what others have to say about this amp, hopefully they will post their opinions.

For the record, I know this is a very positive review, and I am in no way associated with, nor have I been asked or paid to post this review, by Granite Audio, or anyone representing Granite Audio. I am just an individual, who enjoys the fine reproduction of sound.

Product Weakness: Manual, blue LED light on front
Product Strengths: Price, build quiality, beatiful sound

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	n/a
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	n/a
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Granite Audio 657
Speakers:	Mirage Omnisat, Audio Concepts Sub
Cables/Interconnects:	Kimber
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	female vocals, rock
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Monster Power 2000
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Manual, blue LED light on front
Product Strengths:	Price, build quiality, beatiful sound