I recently upgraded my NuForce amps from REF 9 V2 to REF 9 V3 SE. I also had my NuForce MCH V2 SE CH7 7 channel amp upgraded to V3 status.
I bought the NuForce amps 2nd hand on Audiogon - the mono amps started out as REF 9's and were upgraded initially to REF 9 V2.
The following 'review' may or may not apply to normal systems. My stereo is unusual.
The 'preamps' are DEQX HDP-3 active digital crossover/processors.
The speakers are quad-amped modified Edgarhorn Titans; HiVi RP-2 PRO Isodynamic Planar tweeters; tractrix midrange horns; straight 80 Hz bass horns w/ 15" JBL woofers; and Edgarhorn Super Seismic Subwoofer horns with 18" JBL woofers.
The REF 9 V3 SE's drive JBL 375's on the midrange horns.
6 amps of the MCH drive the R & L low bass horns, R & L bass horns and R & L tweeters ( the 7th amp channel is not used ).
I purchased the NuForce amps because I wanted 8 identical amps. QUIET amps with no funny noises. I tried to make tube amps work in my system but was never satisfied. I'm sure it's possible to get good results with tubes but not on my budget; eight really good tube amps = too much $$$ for poor old me.
To make a long story shorter, I never thought I would be so happy with solid state amps ! Class D even ! Don't believe the line that Class D amps ( Analog switching amps, whatever ) don't work well with horns.
I struggled with various tube amps in this crazy system ( in one form or another ) for 14 years and never ever got even close to where the system is currently.
I will skip the usual overheated adjective-loaded tribute to my super groovy stereo - I will just say, you must hear it to appreciate the supernatural splendor that is mine humble steerio.
The V3 upgrades did make a sonic difference, especially in the midrange which is indeed sweeter and smoother than V2. This may be because the V3's gain is much lower than V-2's ( NO noise from my 100 dB+ horns at the listening spot ).
The bass is better too - just as deep, impactful ! even more 'realistic' than V2 bass, which was already excellent.
Everything is a notch better. If the 'sound' of the system was an 8 ? It's now a solid 9.5.
Here's a couple plugs; a PS Audio Premier Power Plant made a subtle but noticeable improvement. The system sounded 'smoother' somehow, less 'edgy' after I plugged all components into it.
The new Monarchy Audio DIP Combo was a HUGE upgrade ! It's a flexible digital interface ( 3 in 3 out, XLR RCA and TOSlink ) that reclocks and upsamples ( or not ). I use it on a Music Hall SACD player and an iMac.
And finally, I recently bought a long - 6M - TOSlink cable to get digital from my Imac to the Monarchy DIP and it works great ! New plastic fiber technology these days.
I bought the NuForce amps 2nd hand on Audiogon - the mono amps started out as REF 9's and were upgraded initially to REF 9 V2.
The following 'review' may or may not apply to normal systems. My stereo is unusual.
The 'preamps' are DEQX HDP-3 active digital crossover/processors.
The speakers are quad-amped modified Edgarhorn Titans; HiVi RP-2 PRO Isodynamic Planar tweeters; tractrix midrange horns; straight 80 Hz bass horns w/ 15" JBL woofers; and Edgarhorn Super Seismic Subwoofer horns with 18" JBL woofers.
The REF 9 V3 SE's drive JBL 375's on the midrange horns.
6 amps of the MCH drive the R & L low bass horns, R & L bass horns and R & L tweeters ( the 7th amp channel is not used ).
I purchased the NuForce amps because I wanted 8 identical amps. QUIET amps with no funny noises. I tried to make tube amps work in my system but was never satisfied. I'm sure it's possible to get good results with tubes but not on my budget; eight really good tube amps = too much $$$ for poor old me.
To make a long story shorter, I never thought I would be so happy with solid state amps ! Class D even ! Don't believe the line that Class D amps ( Analog switching amps, whatever ) don't work well with horns.
I struggled with various tube amps in this crazy system ( in one form or another ) for 14 years and never ever got even close to where the system is currently.
I will skip the usual overheated adjective-loaded tribute to my super groovy stereo - I will just say, you must hear it to appreciate the supernatural splendor that is mine humble steerio.
The V3 upgrades did make a sonic difference, especially in the midrange which is indeed sweeter and smoother than V2. This may be because the V3's gain is much lower than V-2's ( NO noise from my 100 dB+ horns at the listening spot ).
The bass is better too - just as deep, impactful ! even more 'realistic' than V2 bass, which was already excellent.
Everything is a notch better. If the 'sound' of the system was an 8 ? It's now a solid 9.5.
Here's a couple plugs; a PS Audio Premier Power Plant made a subtle but noticeable improvement. The system sounded 'smoother' somehow, less 'edgy' after I plugged all components into it.
The new Monarchy Audio DIP Combo was a HUGE upgrade ! It's a flexible digital interface ( 3 in 3 out, XLR RCA and TOSlink ) that reclocks and upsamples ( or not ). I use it on a Music Hall SACD player and an iMac.
And finally, I recently bought a long - 6M - TOSlink cable to get digital from my Imac to the Monarchy DIP and it works great ! New plastic fiber technology these days.