estreeter
Super Member
Unwritten rule with the Brits: Less fancy it looks the better it sounds.
Thx for sharing BE.
My personal favorites atm:
If I was moving to Siberia
Unwritten rule with the Brits: Less fancy it looks the better it sounds.
Thx for sharing BE.
Audio is a cheap hobby compared to replacing wives.
Oddly enough, and a week ago I never would have thought this, but the $7000 price seems very fair to me, considering the performance, and how it is crafted. If your power requirements don't change, this could indeed be a lifetime amp.
Sadly, as fair as in think the price is, it might as well be $7 million right now.
As an aside, when I heard the sensational Luxman L550 AX (a bargain at a mere $5500), I thought it wonderful, and expensive. The NCSE seemed even more wonderful, but sadly unaffordable, rather than seeming expensive. Does that make sense?
Basically, after years of buying based on what other people said sounds good, usually online, I've decided to hear and learn as much as I can. Actually experience my hobby, go figure. I've ended up learning a lot, and having done great, and not so great, experiences. And lots of fun!
There are still lots of great stores in the area, plus some good distributors too. Actually, a good number of manufacturers also - Bryston, Coincident, Paradigm, Reference 3A, Blue Circle, TTWeights, NAD, PSB, etc.
No excuse but laziness if I don't go out and enjoy what's available.
Boy have you got that one right Erik, about 9 years ago I lost well over 40K in 3 systems I had worked on for several years, Naim fully active setup, ATC active setup and Pass Labs/Magnepan setup. Not to mention a house, 401K, and retirement. Never have recovered, but I am a happier person now! Tim
The Sugden A21SE is one the nicest sounding amps I've had the pleasure to listen to. Beautiful to look at as well.
Were you able to use it as a heater in Winter, or is that just a case of reviewer's exaggerating the amount of heat the A21 generates ?
I heard an LFD IV a few weeks back, very sweet and spacious sound it was too.
I just picked up a very gently used MK IV Signature. I'm still running it in, but am very happy with the sound. I'd never heard one, and bought it based on reviews. It's not often you come across a piece with no negative press.
Listening through a set of Totem Model 1 signatures.
Any other owners around?
I heard an LFD NCSE and it was heartbreakingly good. All hand made by Dr. Richard Bews in England, these are some seriously great sounding amps. Figure the best of tubes and SS in one, non-descript box. Then think of a seriously large price tag, $7500.
$7500 is about how much a typical McIntosh integrated or CDP costs, so I guess that's not an unrealistic price, especially if that LFD slays today's McIntosh integrateds.
I've never heard anything like it. If you've never heard one, you really have to give it a listen. I'm not the only one who thinks these are the best sounding ss integrates there are.
Unwritten rule with the Brits: Less fancy it looks the better it sounds.
Thx for sharing BE.