@@hificave I have to second that comment, you are by far one of the most interesting reviewers on YT in regards to audio gear. And I am not just saying that. You have a skill, and nice to see you are not wasting it on something like making apple strudel. Seriously, you are now one of my favorite channels. ;-)
One of my fav audiophile restaurants is your place with no pretensions and some laughs to boot. Don't stop giving us the recommended special steak of the week w awesome sauce. I leave with more audio wisdom and a happy heart.
Great review... not sure exactly why I enjoyed and appreciated your review so much... original, down to earth, honest, silly... shit I don't know, but I'm subscribing. Thank you for a different kind of review!
I really wish I could hear this amp. I also hope to hear the Galion Amp Thomas has put out one day. Thomas and I have very similar taste so I would imagine it's fantastic.
It sounds like I want everything (sonically) that this amp has to offer. However, the challenge I am grappling with is... how does it perform at mid to mid/low volume? (and with what speakers?) Any comments/suggestions would be appreciated. My room is medium in size. 11 feet wide by 14 deep with flexible listening positions.
This is the one Thomas reviewed... Really liking this, wish it had XLR... But, I can overlook that. This amp just looks gorgeous. Speaking of Class D, I have the XTZ Edge A2-400, I can say this, that amp is DAC dependent... Depending upon which DAC you use. Mine is not going anywhere. I am going to start saving up my pennies for a Billie Amp. Thank you for a stellar review sir!
Well my taste is different; I am not charmed by the looks but I am VERY interested in the sound quality. I could live without the DAC: without USB it's useless for me. I'll get a Denafrips Pontus for that.
I would like to add, any system is DAC dependent. It's a matter of synergy. And it may not be the same brand. Matching and synergy is part of this hobby!
Thanks Hifi Cave, i laughed, i cried, i learned, and now i am more complete after watching your video. Billie sounds like a good friend. Noise levels ok for sensitive speakers?
I hear it a bit in silent passages of songs with my 97db speakers over 80db of listening levels. But, if you don't have clean power and already have a transparent amplifier, you would hear the same from almost any source, or component. I didn't find it was a deal breaker.
I really enjoyed watching your online videos. I recently bought a Billy amp heaven 11 mk 2. I’ve been a Tube person for 44 years and it’s not tubie enough for me. Would you mind recommending some tube replacements that might get me closer to where I wanna be?
Well keep in mind, class d amplification with tubes will not ever be the same flavor as old class A tube amps in terms of adjusting expectations. But maybe tubes like GE 12bh7 tall plates would bring that old warm and airy feeling.
Hi I really enjoy the channel and have recently been nosing around your content. Would you mind giving me some advice on an amp build? I want to d.i.y an amp and have my eye on the Icepower 1200 AS2 what lii speaker set up would you recommend? from what I have learnt from your channel i'm thinking the W15 /F15 combo with crossover? any input would be much appreciated, cheers and greetings from London.
Icepower is class D… high current. Lii drivers are not the happiest with high current. But, its not impossible. The one driver that handles higher current the best is the f18. Then the f15… But for bass drivers like w15 the ice power will be awesome and have great control, but dont go too high in the band pass on them. They sound their best under 200hz, but still sound good imo up to 500hz.
I caught sight of a Musical Paradise piece at 4:29. I'm interested in knowing what exactly it is and see a review on it, while comparing it to the Billie Amp. I've been eyeing a Musical Paradise preamp, however they are out of stock at the moment. I'm also on the fence about separates vs integrated (Billie Amp). Anxious to get your take on the subject.
I like you. I listen to a lot of reviewers. Advice: be less goofy, trying to be funny does not work that well with hifi guys, who are all geeks. You have excellent communication skills, stear in the Guttenberg style: relevant, honest, candid, simple. Good luck.
Ahh maggies are special animal. Strangely it sounded great but couldn’t get louder then 80-85db or so. But considering that it was much better sound then using a tube amp with maggies, regardless of loudness.
Steve Guttenberg's (Audiophiliac) review mentions it is a little warm. Perhaps due to the class A tubed preamp section since the class d amp section should be very cool. There's nothing to suggest it's anything to be concerned about though.
@@hificave Nothing at all. Just thinking I might like a slightly warmer sound. I will probably stick with the Kinki as it is a pretty great integrated. Have you listened to one? Cheers
@@hificave I’ll take that back. Kinki support sucks and have been getting the run around for 2 months on a simple fix that I was going to perform once they sent me the part. Months later and no part. Todd over at Tek Audio Systems has been extremely rude and lacking on basic customer service skills. Told me to stop bitching and was lucky I was getting a part period. I called him up to go over things and he hung up on me when I asked why this is taking so long.
