PS: Typical McGowan Sound? -- HCA-2 & Classic 250


The commentary I have read on the HCA-2 has been mixed, but the criticisms I read remind me of the typical criticisms that have been expressed on all of Paul McGowan's designs in the past: An upfront, technicolor upper midrange & lower treble, some harmonic thinness, & a tight, but lean bass.

I'd sooner believe the review on Audiogon than I would KR's review in Stereophile, whose questionable hearing I don't trust.

In looking at the responses to the Audiogon review, it is interesting to see that half the responders love it; the other half hate it. By seeing all of them for sale on 'Gon now, you wonder what the real scoop is.

I'm kind of interested in the CLASSIC 250, which is a non-digital design that has alot of hoopla about it on the PS website. Has anyone heard or bought this amp, or compared it to the HCA-2?
kevziek

Showing 1 response by paulmc

Thanks for the confidence in my ability to have a sound! I never really thought about having a sound of my own, but I guess it might be true.

Keep in mind that the only two audio only products we make are the two amps right now.

I agree with you: I wouldn't like the HCA-2 if it were thin, up front and lean. I can't stand that sound. I shoot for big, lots of depth, openess, and a full sound.

I use the Sonic Frontiers III mono block amplifiers, the Audio Research VT100 MKIII as my amp references. I use the Audio Research Ref 1 preamplifier for a preamp reference.

The products I design are anything but thin - certainly not on any system I have listened to them on.

With a proper power cord attached, the HCA-2 and Classic 250 are huge amps with tons of midbass and lots of harmonic content. They are alive and musical.

If they don't sound like that to you on your system, you might consider that there are other factors working against you that perhaps you haven't considered.

I'd be happy to work with you to help you achieve this in your system as well.

Could be fun!