Well, I think this post will be little longer.
First, I would like to thank Anthony for excellent job he did with this
amplifier (Thank you, Anthony).
Amplifier that I was using for a long
time was one build based on AV400 schematic diagram, and I was pretty satisfied
with it. Lower frequencies were very good, high ones were little “pulled back”.
This, of course, could be attributed to my diy pcb, not so perfectly paired
output transistors, or something else other then schematic
diagram.
When my amplifier died (I'm not revealing why), I purchased
two NXV200 modules, ones with “garden” feedback capacitors. Power supply I build
with 500VA 2x35V toroid, 6x10000uF capacitors (not low ESR), two block bridge
rectifiers and 680nF + 1Ohm “snubbers”. First tests I did by directly coupling
amplifier and my old Sony player's variable output. I was not impressed by
result, but I was thinking “Well, I can live with this if I have to”. Then I
bridged original input capacitors and put instead Ampohm 6,8uF foil capacitors
taken from my old amplifier. That was already big improvement, but still I felt
that something was missing. From before I was thinking that sound of my CD
player was not as good as it was. Most of audiophiles know themselves feeling
when they start to polish connection contacts and change interconnection cables
convincing themselves that “it's better now”.
So, I asked a friend of
mine to bring his player (Marantz CD6000OSI Limited Edition). That friend of
mine is real audio freak (in the positive manner) . I am serious music lover,
and not listening music more than few days makes me nervous. But that man! Each
while I receive from him by email recension of some new audio device or his
impressions about some CD or concert. Few months ago he had mild ear infection,
and afterwards he was desperately touring specialists convincing them that he
does not hear well enough, despite the fact that all tests were showing that his
hearing is excellent. By the way, he is happy owner of Quad 909 amplifier and 99
preamplifier.
Yesterday (after my wife cautiously left apartment)
that friend of mine, my brother and me started amplifier audition. Wow.
Everything was there. Crystal highs, space, tight and deep bass. Everything was
so nice balanced, no matter what type of music we were listening. After few
hours and a few bears, my brother almost started to cry when we were listening
Peter Gabriel's first album (remixed CD layer from SACD). Sensitive kind, my
brother. I love him very much.
We were listening music several hours
and none of us got tired of it. And almost all of our conversation was “listen
to this” or “let me hear this CD”. When I mentioned to them that I want to
change feedback capacitors, they both yelled not to touch it, that I will
destroy something.
My apologies for being so “personal”, but I think
that to validate some person's opinion you have to know how he reached it and
what kind of person is telling it. I could warmly recommend this amplifier to
anyone.