Digital Amp's

Even better yet, Muralman, as you have owned a quality class A amp (not the best out there, but respectable none the less) why not in a nutshell explain where you thought your Class A amp excelled.

For example when you owned the Pass Labs X600 monoblocks what did they do well?

Then when you swapped to the eAR mono's - what was improved?

Then when you moved onto the H2o Sig Mono's - what was improved?

That is always more helpful to most people on here, rather than just hearing " this amp is much better and blows the competition away."

Thanks, for the added input Vince. :)

As an aside, when I began looking into the H2o Signature monos, I was suprised to speak with people whom had replaced amps the like of Pass Labs X600 monos, VTL 450 monoblocks, and others well into the $12,000-$16,000 new range. To have an amp in the mid $5K range compete in that arena, let alone better it to some was well worth looking into for me. After the piqued interest, I left the rest up to my own ears...

Thanks Vince. I didn't mean to sound like I was putting words in your mouth. I was familiar with your power amp progression, however I am not certain others are. I think most don't realize the people buzzing about the H2o's have tried a good many amps out there... not just moving from a Yamaha receiver to a power amp... and singing the praises of the "flavor of the month" - time will prove where the H2o's stand. I am quite sure we already have a pretty good idea too. :)

Hope all is well with you and your family out west...

Eldartford,

Muralman mentioned Henry trying to get good sound out of the 1000ASP, and Henry had told me the same. To expand a bit upon what Vince stated above, the key differences between the two ICE modules 500ASP (in H2o can be purchased without power supply) in which case Henry then designed his analog power supply to best integrate with the ICE module.

If memory serves me correct, the 1000ASP ICE module is ONLY shipped from B&O WITH their switching power supply, and from what I have heard and/or read of that ICE module in other amps in reviews it has not compared favorably. This is what Vince referred to from Srajan about the Jjaz amps that use the 1000ASP module. They just don't sound as good. Or at least not *yet* ...

FWIW - I had also listened to/auditioned the Rowland 201 and 501's and didn't find them to be in the same league as the H2o's... YMMV of course.