Steve, your reviews are always a masterpiece! Your knowledge are passion is always refreshing! ❤ You don’t just review the product but let me with new music/albums to listen to!
I viewed their website, of all their component models. I’ll be frank, the price of crack must be expensive in Cali, these guys are obviously smoking it🙈.
For this price you better buy a refurbished vintage tube amp from Sherwood, Fisher, HH Scott or Harman Kardon with point to point connection and spend some money on Great NOS tubes, great speakers, a Streamer and a good DAC and still have money left for my Whiskey and a vacation ! 😅
I must be getting old, 6k seems like a lot for a push pull EL84 stereo power amp. The Black Ice Audio F11 you reviewed a couple of years ago is less than one third the price and designed by Jim Fosgate.
Well regarding the looks of this amp the 6k pricetag surely is pretty high. But, maybe the sound really is top notch, though I did not quite get that feeling from Steve. For about the same price we get a Audio Note Oto SE, and for a little more the signature version. And we’re talking about one of the best integrated amps in the world, all made in house and parts are premium quality..
I tend to like the denser sound too. Especially if the sound is clear and distinct. I looked into Amps and Sound a few years ago. Now their prices are too high IMO.
The Decware is a totally different type of EL84 amp (SET type) which has a quite different sound signature and lower power output. Both are nice amplifiers, but quite different, and so a direct comparison just on price and output tube type isn't really that relevant.
@@_fakeklg I'm not for or against, but their zen triode monoblocks do come in at $3000 a pair, and to be fair, at $6000 you could also get a pair of zen tori Jr amps for bi-amping and probably save $500. You do have to wait for them though, and time is quite an unfair mediator.
I’m hoping you’ll get around to reviewing both Galion amplifiers. They are very special and at the right price. Under $1500 for an incredibly musical solid state amplifier that’s at least five major reviewers fell in love with.
I’ll save you time. He’ll say he had a great time with them. He’ll describe how the music he selected moved him. Then he’ll say he “ really thinks” they are good for the money if you favor the kind of sound each produces.
@@edd2771 actually I wouldn’t. I just opened the door to the subscribers. If you want to find out about Galion, read the reviews. If you’re in the for a power or integrated amp, there’s always a trial period. Everyone has their own tastes.
You can build a new Dynakit ST-35 for a fraction of the price of that Little Nugget. Maybe it should be called the Little Gold Nugget for what it costs. ;)
Technical note: this amp is using a 12AX7 voltage/input stage followed by a 12AU7 split-load phase inverter/driver stage. This is very common for push-pull EL84 amps, and requires only two tubes for input and phase splitter/driver function. Split-load phase inverters as drivers, IMO, are a bit sub-optimal sonically, in my experience, but I'll leave it there. Fortunately, It's actually pretty difficult to make a truly poor sounding push-pull EL84 amplifier, as the EL84 is a uniquely engaging and lively sounding power tube. At any rate, I'm sure this Ampsandsound EL84 amp indeed sounds very nice.
I am sure it has merit, but can it beat a restored McIntosh MC275 Mark 1 with upgraded tubes (NOS Telefunken) and upgraded caps (Nichicon) -- which would be the same price ?
More va-va-VOOM? One of these days Alice, bang, zoom, RIGHT TO THE MOON! Another great review Steve, you have a real facility for narrating what you hear. Respect...
Seems decent I’ve owned a few ampsandsound products previously including a Leeloo and a bigger Ben both headphone amps. Pretty decent stuff not the most technical not silent floor but pretty nice tonality. I’m not paying $5k+ el84 I’d buy a 300b amp for that or 845 or 2A3.
The Nuggets box is fantastic. I love obscure 60s rock and roll and it’s also fun to hear rock stars such as Mark Bolin, Andy Summers, Steve Howe, Ian Gillan and many others in their earlier bands.
Great video Steve!! I live 35 miles away from the Decware factory. Maybe stuff is just cheaper in East Peoria than California. Idk I do know I can get a rocking el84 system for 6 grand. Sadly, I’m out.
I have the Decware SE84UFO. Ordered it in 2016 when it was a 3 month build time, now 3 years. I love my little amp. Pairs well with my Klipsch La Scalas and Forte ii. And it was $5,000 cheaper.
So very excited to see a well built EL84 amplifier on the market, I fell in love with the sound of this style of tubes in the great vintage HH Scott 299a and 222c. Over-specked custom transformers look awesome. But... And I know this is one of those amps that you're going to hear feedback at the price point...but PCB mounted tube sockets and steel screw terminal strips all over the place in the signal path? No point to point wiring? Coupling cap quality at this price? They should sell this as a kit it would be almost as easy to build as an amp camp!
Therfore I agree with you with the build..........and yes it is overpriced. I build whenever possible point to point ........first with good standard quality components , ....and only when it shines with good musical taste then I replace components with the better ones .........good components make it only worse when the amp has problems and doesn't sound good , but when it does a great job with the standard build than it's time to upgrade . Have a nice day sir ..... And Indeed never solderd sockets on a printed circuit board !That's a NO NO ...
Not going to comment on the amp, I prefer SS amp with a tube preamp. I have the Lyle Lovett CD, have to pull it out and listen to it again. Great review but $6k way out of my price range.
That would be a very interesting comparison!!! Although when you look at them, the black ice weighs 12 pounds and the amp and sound weighs 39 pounds and that has to be all in the transformers, although I certainly have my qualms with the build versus price, there is no doubt that spending money on transformers is very beneficial in terms of resolution and the bandwidth. That said, that little black ice amp looks very intriguing and I'd be curious how it compared to the great old HH Scott and HK amplifiers from the late '50s that used el84 variants and produced similar power.
@@chelillingworth9466 that’s the base model, they now have a US made line of their amps and are in the same neighborhood and upgraded, more inputs, balanced inputs etc.
After you mentioning the Bernard Herrman album I went and bought it and I've been playing it loud and the dynamics seemed just very real and the resolution...
Thats nice, out of my Price Range for sure. Id have to already like or trust the company, as I don’t see anything that brings that cost into the crosshairs for the product. Also if someone reads this, can you tell me why I should stay with my Decware Zen 3 Mono Bloc order instead of changing back to the UFO 2.1 order I started with. Thanks Lol!
Ampandsound is OVERPRICED for what it is...even on looks alone its literally makes no sense to buy this kit looking amp. Even tho Decware makes you wait 9 years to get an amp, for the money, youre getting more from them than what these Ampandsounds give you in sound and looks. And besides, for Ampansound lil nugget price, I could get a AGD Audion monos FOR THE SAME MONEY and BEST this amp on day one.
I think what we'd all love to know is how this amp compares to other great EL84 designs like the Leben CS300xs or Shindo Montille EL84. Does it hang? Is it better? What does it it do differently perhaps? Also remember that a speaker with high flat impedance is more important with tube amp pairing than just looking at sensitivity in isolation. Any 11-15ohm LS3/5A should pair great with a 20w tube amp.
I can't imagine that Justin sells much with his ridiculous pricing. His amps look like a DIY projects - there's way to many options out there to even consider something from AMPSANDSOUND.
Tubes bring the beauty out of music play vinyl was made back in the day and recorded with tubes like it all was until the mid-sixties and late sixties. Original records from back then sound so right full and real as I discovered later in life because they were recorded with tubes i wish they would still use all tubes when making records today I am sure some are. They make a killing on repackaging old albums with the promise of better sound which is very unlikely the best sounding records are out of print or lost in grandpas basement lol. They might sound different but usually not better.
@@stimpy1226 if it didn't have the brand name printed on the front it would look much better, maybe the printed brand name is muted by the chassis color on the black one.
@@carlosbauza1139 FACT CHECK: The Dynaco was $62.95 in 1964 In 2024 that is.....$638.72 So, with a cumulative price increase of 915% we're still nowhere near $6k!
Looking at the website this amp is their 2nd to lowest price amp. They have a 3.2k budget 6V6! model and and the grande model monos at ... $38,000! Ok, you got me to look.😊
No no no no no. I’ll get a used McIntosh MC275 or any number of kits such as those available from tubes4hifi (which kick ass btw) before I buy this underpowered overpriced thing.
These new amps are all very nice. However, Quicksilver Audio still makes their Mid-Mono amps with 40 watts of gorgeous sound. The price is an honest $2195 with chrome transformer covers for the pair.
I used my reference preamp, it's the same preamp I usei in almost every test over the last few years. The LTA Micro ZOTL. Everything in the system affects the sound of everything in the system. In my reviews, in every review that anyone ever does, and every consumer that buys products, everything in their system, and their room, and their speaker placement, everything affects the sound. Thanks for watching!!
$6000 preamp? So $12000 in amplification.....hmm For $800 more you could get the matching ZOTL40 EL34 power amp with some real innovation and a Fern&Roby chasis. Premium NOS tubes with 20000 hours life expectancy too. No brainer there.
Steve will you ever review Soundlabs DR.West is getting on in age it would be nice if you honored him with a review of his amazing creations that he perfected while others do not come close like Martin logins and similar tech but in comparison they are lifeless with no bass or dynamics no such issues with Soundlabs especially the newer ones.
$6k for a vanilla implementation of a push-pull EL84 doesn't deserve a review or encouragement from the community. You have to do *something* unique to justify that kind of price point.
Steve, how do you compare the sound of this amp to the Lab 12 Mighty? I bought the Mighty based on your review and love it paired with my La Scala AL5s!
Hey Steve, another great video and thanks for review of the AMPANDSOUND Amp. I run all tube amplification myself and still feel tubes sound fantastic. Your videos always look pin sharp and great quality, may I ask what camera and lens you use?
6 grand? Looks like the cost of the lifetime warranty is also baked into the price. You can get a Purifi or Hypex based amp for much less than 2 big ones. Or the NAD M23 that Steve liked so much for 3,749, or its brother the NAD C298 for 2,399. But of course, those have a different sound signature.
The way it's built, with all of those channel strips means that if there's any issue I imagine they were just throw a new board in. I imagine they've designed in some good protection for the expensive transformers so that they wouldn't have to ever replace those.
Nice system Mark, bet it sounds great. As for that amp, no way would I pay $6,000 for something that looks like a DIY project. You could get the LUXMAN SQ-N150 integrated amp which exudes quality for $3,500. Even my little Cayin MT-12N integrated amp which only cost $479 from Drop is excellent and looks nicer, and works just fine with my Zu DW6 speakers.
@@chrislj2890 my Klipsch are 99 dB so no worries there. I like the features of the Luxman - remote, balance, tone control, headphones. I read the review by the measurements forum, which slammed it. Maybe I just need to try it for myself. Looks like they're $2000 used.
Another tinker toy amp for the hi efficiency crowd. $6,000 and that giant stenciled mismash company name turn me off. As usual I just wanted to see if the music you played was any good I'm always always looking for new music as for equipment my Mcintosh equipment is still here.
Your enthusiasm and knowledge is very welcome and always refreshingI It feels like you are my long time friend from New York. I get you Brother, however $6000 USD is too much Va Va Voom for me..L💞ve from Canada.
Must watch, when I am not busy with kids, do you have advice on a small amp, that is affordable or cheap, but good!? I got a atlp60 and edifier active speakers. Perhaps I don't need one!?
Steve seriously, wth…$6,000!? If u wanna convert the average (not the wealthy) audiophile from SS to a Tube amp…..u don’t need a $6000 investment to do it…. There are many.affordable, used, or Chinese tube amps (yes China makes quality tube amps others have given good reviews on). Steve u gotta keep it real for the average audio enthusiast! Sure it’s fun reviewing mega $$$$$ audio gear….but remember WHO your followers are, keep it real! Nice shirt BTW!
All of a sudden there seem to be a lot of viewers shocked with the price of this amp, even without auditioning it. Is this price so unique in the audio hi fi world?
No, not unique, certainly not for US made products of this quality and one with a lifetime warranty. But of course compared to Chinese manufactured Audio the little nugget seems outrageously expensive.
All things come at a price, you get what you pay for. I have a small Luxman sq-n150 valve amplifier which cost me around 3000€ and it's worth every single cent or more. Is price an issue? of course it is, but certainly not the disdain in these commentaries. Check the price lists of any decent hi fi brand, either you can afford it or not but, please, don't act the fox in the fable, the grapes were all horrible because he couldn't reach them. When a grape raisin dropped, the fox pounced on it with all four paws.
