AudiogoN Forums: Just took delivery of the Red Wine Audio 30.2 and-

Just took delivery of the Red Wine Audio 30.2 and-

...and this thing is quite miraculous really. Have recently had the Lavardin IS Reference and Shindo Aurieges/Montille combo in house played over Living Voice IBXR2's via Auditorium 23 speaker cables with a Lector CDP 0.6T mk. 2 player-- and let me tell you, this little Red Wine punches like Mike Tyson and sings like Callas.
Specifics? Yah-- I got yer specifics right here... tight DEEP bass (I mean it-- frightening!), black backgrounds, wiiiide soundstage (the sidewalls are alive with the sound of music yada yada)Defined/refined treble (supposed to get better with age-- 100 hrs or so). Shall I continue? Thank you.
A breezy user interface, sharp looks, a crisp feel to the volume control/solid build in general and no need for a Fatboy Electraglide mk. 8 SE power cord etc. This amp is thus far dynamic, detailed and refined.
Criticisms? So far a few minor ones. It could be-- and I mean could maybe be... a hair brighter balanced. The treble's all there in spades, though it's certainly a shade darker than the Shindo gear for example (which for my taste-- may be a hair too tipped up tonally-- so what 'the tonal truth' is here... only Harry Pearson knows).
The RWA is punchier and more alive than the Lavardin (as promised by the Vinnster), with perhaps a broader soundstage and a bit more dynamics-- yah--not quite as sleepy-- which was perhaps my only niggle with that otherwise splendid amplifier.
Finally, in the way of niggling, I myself might like even finer gradations on the volume control for those times with a string quartet when you'd like juuuuuust a WEEE bit more volume to make it sound live-- but not a whole lot. Incidentally, the remote is super small and cutie and functions like a charm-- perfect.
Now the kicker--- I have a Manley Stingray enroute to my home as I type this and that comparison should be REAL interesting.
I shall rid myself of the loser, and that means yes-- as phenomenal as this RWA 30.2 is so far-- if tubes give it a sound trouncing-- back to Vinnie it shall go within the alloted trial period (and dont let the door hit you in the ass on the way out etc).
I am very interested to hear the tonal differences, as I thought the Shindo stuff would be richer etc. and perhaps the opposite is true. Incidentally- both the Shindo stuff and the RWA are quite pacey and involving-- high on my priority list. Havent listened to many great piano recordings with the RWA as yet-- and this is one of my true tests in terms of tone/density and all that jazz. Perhaps tonight.. I'm praying for density and not just leading edge flash n' tinkle.
But even still-- the sheer convenience of the thing--the elegance/simplicity of the design and the direct and uneventful way in which it goes about the business of DOING its business... is something rare-- certainly at this price point.
It isnt often I like the sonic signature of components a certain Head Moonie recommends (IMHO often a touch on the squeaky clean and bright side or possessed of, to me anyhoo, idiosyncratic tonal signatures-- at least in the past)-- but on this one I wholeheartedly agree. If I were to review the RWA amp in two words or less after only a single day of hearing thing, I would write: NO JOKE.
The RWA 30.2 is thus far cutting a good deal of mustard. One day of ownership though doesnt quite cut the ketchup in terms of the credibility of this opinion and so we shall see what tomorrow holds; the Stingray, the power, pride and prejudice of Evanna Manley and Bob Neill, my own sonic pleasure, and the very existence (in my home anyway) of the RWA amp hang in the balance...

(too much? Dramatic though-- you gotta admit- I was on my lunch hour. Well.. better than just saying Vinnie's a friggin' genius and the RWA is really err.... good so far:)

Abramsmatch (Threads | Answers | This Thread)

01-15-08

Responses (1-59 of 59)

Click title to read one, or click date to read all below it.

01-15-08 Sounds like eureka then, but does it do this? Wellfed

01-15-08 If you mean does it rock babeeee... well we listened to s ... Abramsmatch

01-15-08 I read somewhere that the 30.3 would be released soon and wo ... Tarsando

01-16-08 Sounds like it's all that. Wellfed

01-16-08 The 30.3? wow that will render the 30.2 obsolete-- i mean l ... Abramsmatch

01-16-08 So, is shindo aurieges/montille better? what about the lav ... Plinko

01-16-08 Well-- i may not be able to comment on the full capability o ... Abramsmatch

01-16-08 ...okay, i won't push any further. :-) let us know what you ... Plinko

01-16-08 Were they talking about the red wine audio 30.2 you mean? i ... Abramsmatch

01-16-08 It is how it goes. and the rule of thumb is that the .3 ver ... Tarsando

01-16-08 No, it was the original 30. never surprised when different ... Plinko

01-16-08 In my humble opinion rwa 30.2 sounded (very short audition d ... Mrjstark

01-16-08 Then you might want to consider this too: audio sector pate ... Cdc

01-17-08 The manley stingray hath arrived. let the games........ ... Abramsmatch

01-18-08 Class "t" can't touch a good chip amp unless bass ... Cdc

01-18-08 Hey, unless you have actually listened to the signature 30.2 ... Natewalker_2006

01-18-08 Cdc...have you heard the red wine? what were your impressi ... Plinko

01-18-08 Involving & poised. full of subtlety and refinement with sta ... Mrjstark

01-18-08 Has anyone heard both red wine and patek? Pubul57

01-19-08 Yes the editor of 6moons has reviewed both pieces. both wer ... Natewalker_2006

01-19-08 For above what chip amps are you referring to? Coffeey

01-19-08 Red wine audio 30.2....if "q" was for me, if not - ... Mrjstark

01-20-08 Abramsmatch: how many inputs on the integrated and are they ... F1a

01-21-08 Hi plinko: "i'm more interested in live comparisons rat ... Cdc

01-21-08 Check out the forum on audiocircle. http://www.audiocircle.c ... Eril

01-21-08 Cdc....red wine's .04% thd is certainly impressive. i imagi ... Plinko

01-23-08 "01-17-08: abramsmatch the manley stingray hath arrived ... Dspringham

01-23-08: Abramsmatch
Okay-- I'll come clean-- limited time at work though-- so this is briefer than I want it to be for now! I love the manley and the RWA-- but the Manley is slightly more forward with slightly less soundstage depth. Essentially it is a matter of perspective--

With my friend's Living Voice speakers (definitely not forward speakers but certainly not laid back sleepers---) I feel the Stingray is a touch too in my face. Just a touch...

HOWEVER-- conversely, with certain digital components, the RWA can err (for me and not necessarily you) slightly on the warm/friendly side.

This gets much more interesting though as my friend recently brought over an MHDT Paradisea + DAC which I connected to my long-time fave CD player-- the Lector CDP 0.6T mk. 2 via a standard Audio Art RCA interconnect (not a dedicated digital cable).

This DAC (not completely broken in) is slightly 'edgier' or more forward in perspective and with the manley it is just a bit too much-- but with the RWA it is nigh on perfect! I have only listened to it for an hour, so I cant say if I prefer it overall to the lector alone-- it may (and I mean MAY) have slightly more grain and maybe a smaller stage-- but it is definitely a bit more upfront and 'snappier' in perspective.

With the RWA this makes for a perfect balance with the LV speakers. Singers are RIGHT THERE in the room present and breathy and all that jazz.
Now-- those speaks are gonna have to go back to my friend streetdaddy (here on the 'gon) shortly-- so I'll have to find my own speakers and the fun is gonna start all over again!!

Essentially I am right now optimizing my sound for someone else's system!! Not smart, huh??
For example-- the reason I believe Bob Neill probably loves the Reynaud/Manley synergy is that the manley seems a touch in-yer-face and the Reynauds may be a touch warm and 'human.' Together they probably equal 'perfect'! So I could keep the Manley and buy Reynauds... but I'm sure i'd miss the little RWA, which is so engaging musically (Johnny Cash's 'Whem The Man Comes Around' is riveting via the RWA/lector combo-- you cant just listen to one track! It's one of those amps that makes people remain quiet until a track is over to tell you how good things sound... you know how it is! They dont wanna disturb Johnny while he's performing...

I would say that with laid back speakers (I dunno-- maybe spendors or something) the RWA could be a bit too warm. Similarly, with bright speakers (thiels; again-- to MY ear), the Manley might drive you out of the room.

Like Vinnie Rossi says-- it's all about synergy. He LOVES the RWA 30.2 with Devore 9's and to me, devore gibbon 8's (yes I have owned them so I have an opinion) were a touch forward and thinner/more 'neutral'/revealing than I'm used to. I'll just bet the very slightly warm nature of the RWA fancies the slightly cool nature of the Devores Big-Time.

The Manley amp is fast and fun and has great bass-- almost as much as the RWA. So is the RWA. The Manley has lots of inputs-- the RWA does not. The Manley is NOT remote controlled-- bummer.
Both are very engaging to listen to, though I think my temporary non-audiophile house guest Charles, my girlfriend and I all prefer the music-making of the RWA amp somewhat. Not to mention the convenience factor (small, light, no tubes etc).
It gets even MORE interesting though! When I connected the Shindo Aurieges pre to the RWA amp and used it strictly as an amplifier-- I got a slightly more forward and punchier sound-- what you might expect from going 'active' with a great pre like the Shindo-- very enjoyable!
Now, according to clandestine sources, a Shindo interconnect might give me an even better idea of what the combo is capable of-- but I aint got one. Alls I can tell ya is -- ees good! Best I've heard the Aurieges sound! Again-- no remote though (ancient Japanese custom?)
I do love the remote with the RWA-- awesome and small and cute. Again-- the volume steps might be juuuuust a wee bit coarse for perfection but that's often the case with stepped attnuators of any quality.
This is why I await with bated breath Vinnie's Isabella preamp- if it lends the already very punchy 30.2 and even punchier sound and has a continuously variable volume control-- well we might be in business!

Now-- assuming I stay with the RWA (leaning that way) when streetdaddy takes back his LV IBXR2 speakers-- what I'm gonna use is anybody's guess. I was gonna go Reynaud- but with the RWA-- that combo might be a touch warm. Again-- loved the Devore dynamics/definition/imaging etc-- but they were a touch forward and cooler than I like when I used to own them.

Love my old Totem ones-- though these arent at their best at lower levels like some other higher efficiency speakers. There's always the Acoustic Zen adagios and the Reference 3a Veena (new model with supertweeter like the the Grand Veena is coming out I think). OR-- I could drop BIG COIN for my own pair of LV IBXR2's-- a fabulously balanced transducer. But that's BIG COIN.
Sigh. This is why I didnt wanna like a lower powered amp-- despite its versatility-- I still say you got more choices with say, another fave of mine-- like the Unico standard or SE models (not in-house now for comparison). When you're playin' with a 160 watt 50 pound amp like the Unico SE you can buy whatever speakers you want-- except Scintillas!
Not to short change either the Manley or the Red Wine-- as I have not heard either with a "demanding" load.

In sum-- guess the fact that the stingray is for sale votes for the slightly more engaging nature (to ME in MY-- err... partyly someone else's) system. But I could certainly live with Messeur Manley and if i dont get my price-- may do just that for a while along with the RWA until the speaker choice has been made...

Abramsmatch (Threads | Answers | This Thread)

01-23-08 Wow. nice writeup! from where i sit, i'm not surprised abo ... Plinko

01-23-08 I agree great insights. now that you are looking at speaker ... Mystang

01-23-08 Hey abramsmatch, nice write up! you wrote: the gibbons 8's ... Natewalker_2006

01-24-08 Bravo to you for the write up! not many audiophiles have th ... Orjazzm

01-25-08 In response to plinko's inquiry-- the battery power does not ... Abramsmatch

01-26-08 I also recently took delivery of the signature 30.2 and am b ... Jwarmbrand

01-26-08 Rw has a 30-day trial? Pubul57

01-26-08 Well jwarmbrand, i'm a bit stumped. i've been running a sig ... Musicus53

01-26-08 Hi don yes he had the sig 30 and later had it fully upgraded ... Jwarmbrand

01-26-08 Fwiw, based on some of the private emails i've received alon ... Abramsmatch

01-26-08 Hmmm, that makes my upgrade decision a bit more difficult si ... Musicus53

01-26-08 Musicus53/jwarmbrand, what cables are you/your friend using? ... Orjazzm

01-26-08 I too am wondering about this upgrade from the sig 30 to the ... Seekburk

01-27-08 The 30.2 is not identical to my yamamoto a-08s which shall s ... Srajanebaen

01-27-08 Does anyone have any comments on the amp version (sans atten ... Dspringham

01-28-08 Orjazzm, don't laugh, but i've been using the jeff day (6mo ... Jwarmbrand

01-28-08 Srajan, your review of the 30.2 is so spot-on!!! thank you ... Natewalker_2006

02-27-08 Im trying to decide between the rwa 30.2 and supratek malbec ... Raytheprinter

02-27-08 I just want to add that i have gotten slightly more preferab ... Abramsmatch

02-27-08 David, thanks for taking the time to share your impressions ... Rumadian

04-09-08 I hooked up my 30.2 last monday,so it has around 40 hours of ... Raytheprinter

04-27-08 Ray, any update on how it is going with the 30.2? Kclone

04-30-08 Haven't been here for awhile and thought i'd say congrats on ... Nonoise

05-07-08 The red wine 30 and 30.2 are also a great match for the wlm ... Golden_ears

05-29-08 So no noise and golden ears. is the upgrade worth it. my mai ... Kbuzz

06-20-08 I have found that the red wine 30.2 is excellent in the bass ... Golden_ears

08-08-08 I spent the last month with a partial upgrade 30.2, and i co ... Outlier

08-09-08 Hi outlier, sounds like you are the "outlier" (pun ... Jwarmbrand

03-27-10 Sorry it took so long to reply,i really like the 30.2,,,,,bu ... Raytheprinter

03-28-10 Raytheprinter, why don't you go in for the 70.2 mono blocks ... Adamaley

04-01-10 Adamaley,im an out of work printer,at the moment,so money is ... Raytheprinter