Wrong Ligi,
Most of those units are B-Stock units that were used for Beta testing or they are in-store demo's.
Kchahoc, I do think some of the problem could be your preamp and your speakers, neither of which is bad. I just think there is a synergistic mismatch. The B&W's are probably on the bright side of neutral to begin with and you are combining the amp with a SS pre.
I am using a tube pre and the results are simply stunning. I must state right away that I have used a Virtual Dynamics power cord from day one. These cords have made big improvements on all of my components, so this may indeed support Tim's point about digital amps. Bel Canto and Spectron do recommend good power cords.
I just finished listening to Mephisto - Tam o' Shanter, Minnesota Orchestra. The dynamics are room shaking. The tympanis and bass drum are simply amazing. The sense of space is hard to believe. The drums are 20 ft. behind my front wall and the sound is just huge with layers upon layers.
The triangles and xylophone in Resphigi - Solomon's Dream, even when combined with the heavy drum run, sound like they are in the room with me. Just beautiful tones. As the music moves into the string section one can clearly hear the resonant body of the instruments.
In my system there is no upper mid-range glare at all. Very smooth and sweet. The palpability is just jaw dropping. Diana Krall's voice on Love Scenes is so rich and soulful with all of that huskiness that she exhibits. And the details are so evident, it seems nothing is left out. You can easily hear every nuance of her licking her lips, the saliva upon her opening her mouth and even her swallows.
Even a very poorly recorded "Best of James Taylor" sounds very good on some tracks. The imaging, presence and air are all rather remarkable considering the source. The high frequencies are just tipped up, as they often are on many poorly recorded pop albums, to make low-fi systems sound better. This is the only instance where the mid-range has sounded thin, but it is very obviously the result of the recording.
To be honest, I never expected this amp to be this good when I ordered it for an audition. It is an incredibly musical amp with no fatigue factor whatsoever. I am impressed with it more each day as the hours build on it.
The soundstage depth and layering is excellent and the air around instruments and voices truly creates that "you are there" experience. IMHO, this amp is a true bargain. Man, as I sit hear listening, the drum run in the opening minute of Resphigi - War Dance, just blows your hair back.
Sorry, lost my focus here for a minute, but the music is just hard to ignore while I type.
As I was saying, I am thrilled with this amp. It is the first PS Audio product I have owned and I congratulate them on an outstanding product at a real world price.
Aloha,
Warren
BTW, I have communicated by email with another HCA-2 owner who said his amp has never bloomed and still sounds constrained. But once again, I think his situation is system dependent, as well. He admitted he has been having some problems with his front end, he's using a SS pre also and he has not tried any other excellent power cords on his amp.
I have experienced no hum, hiss, etc. I have to put my ear to my ribbons just to hear the slightest hiss and I am sure that is tube hiss from my preamp.
Hey, what works for one may not work for all, but I just wanted to balance Kchahoc's lackluster experience with what I have heard from this amp. And I reiterate, I think this amp, as all digital amps do, requires a good power cord and probably a good tube preamp as well, to really strut it's stuff.
Sorry for the brief and hurried review, but I am late already. Will try to post additional info later.
