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Amp/Preamp Asylum: REVIEW: Blue Circle Audio NSCS Integrated Amplifier (SS) by demosasp@otenet.gr

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REVIEW: Blue Circle Audio NSCS Integrated Amplifier (SS)

87.203.215.217


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Model: NSCS
Category: Integrated Amplifier (SS)
Suggested Retail Price: $2750
Description: NSCS Integrated Amplifier Fully Balanced Output.
Manufacturer URL: Blue Circle Audio
Model Picture: View

Review by demosasp@otenet.gr ( A ) on April 25, 2006 at 01:22:12
IP Address: 87.203.215.217
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for the NSCS



Recently I brought Blue Circle's NSCS amplifier. It was the best/luckiest buy I did via internet. I saw the NSCS in a Stereophile ad. and liked the idea to try such nice constructed and nicely priced one (before any review avaliable on the net!).

I have to admit that the package from US to Europe was the best possible for an amplifier, with no shipping risk at all. After unpacking...

I saw a beautiful (for my opinion) and heavy construction with wooden knobs (+ Shallco stepped volume control), made all connections and ...

My ears was used to both sound of tubes (KT88) those days. The amplifier sounded like one of the best KT88 amp with a resolution that sits in the middle of a very expensive S.S and a mucho tube amp. I let the amp running for a day or so (was already burned-in from the company) and the magic that was reproduced via my Proacs was an experiance. This 110 watt Balanced Output Opamp amplifier will 100% satisfy all of you that you never found the best of both worlds (tube/ss). Big words but its true. The strange is that this Solid State amp sounds so close to a Tube amp that your friends will never believe that its a solid state design until they saw the inside of the amp. Topology is award-winning, check out 6moons review of the amp.

The sound of the amp is tubey. With resolution,imaging and stability of instruments far better than this price point. The instruments appeared to be inside the speakers, not laid back neither projected or front-weighted. The analysis and resolution is simply wonderful and the detail springs out physical and very 'right'. The high freqs. are silky smooth without a trace of edge, midband is clear, Lovely, magical, true and very slightly warm (using Cardas Golden Reference interconnects). The bass is rich, bold and for some too much 'organic' and not so punchy. Mayby some would say a bit overcooked, bold with large ported speakers. Liquidity in the mid band is also a huge success for NSCS. As for dynamics: The amp is capable of a very big dynamic presence that shows the horsepower but never 'screams'. The muscles are very big in this case, and also microdynamicaly the amp is gorgeous, you can hear many Mozart's violin or piano sonatas good recordings and say your opinion. Last word: If you are listening all night long in rather low volumes this is also something NSCS excels: Its bold, rich and gutsy from the first steps of the volume control unlike many other designs that you must turn the knob a lot to hear a full and rich sound. Listen to Led Zeppelin's Baby Im Gonna Leave you song. The drums are true-to-life and full sized with air jumping from speaker without any stress. Illumination of each 'thing' that comes out to the stage is something that also makes NSCS a best buy for this price category. The magic of Plant's voice at full throttle.

This is quality of sound and the magic that leaves you so full and never fatigue is something that -combined with the Solid States benefits and good drive- made this amp a huge value in high-end gear.


Product Weakness: Compare with x3 the price Solid states for better resolution, analysis, freshness and immediacy retaining all the magic of the NSCS.
Product Strengths: Magic comes out of my speakers, a true gentleman with muscles. Top construction and specs, imaging , soundstage, a joy to listen. Fatigue free 10 hour listening. Bold & rich character.


Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier: NSCS, Pathos Acoustics etc.
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): None
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Musical Fidelity A5
Speakers: PROACS
Cables/Interconnects: Cardas, Acoustic Zen, Audience
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Classical, Jazz, Rock
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): Shunyata Hydra 6
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner
Your System (if other than home audition): Cardas Golden Reference AC cords for all stuff. Shunyata cables from Hydra to AC.




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Topic - REVIEW: Blue Circle Audio NSCS Integrated Amplifier (SS) - demosasp@otenet.gr 01:22:12 04/25/06 ( 10)