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

I had this amp in my system for a few months. Class A, I don't know. I haven't heard most of the contenders. Does it sound good, yes. Is it accurate, I don't know. I do know it doesn't like 2 ohm loads. Read the review. It shut down during testing. It also shut down on me using a full range electrostatic. When bi-amping it did not shut down. It also ran some older very good speakers in my house with stellar results. Would I buy it? Yes with the reservations mentioned above.

David, get a second AW75 and bridge them, no?

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!

Paul McGowan,

What a treat to have you answer! Maybe my archrival here notified you.... My intent here was not to prove your design was flawed, but to question why certain measurements are so bad, and why some listeners don't seem to like the amp.

Considering the amps you personally own, I would agree that you don't like the sound that has been perhaps incorrectly attributed by some to your design. Actually the amps you mention are very good pieces and I have owned a Power 2 and a VT-100 Mk II, so I am familiar with their sound. If the HCA-2 has many of their attributes, then it may be a great sounding piece.

If you would address the test results of Mr. Atkinson, I think many would appreciate that here.

Kevziek, WOW what a major suck-up! I think Fiddler was right about you all along.
I have been asking some of the same questions since reading Stereophile, but not in such an obnoxious manner. It's nice to see a well reasoned response from the man whose product you questioned.
Paul, I am currently ampless and will very seriously consider your product before I buy a new amp. Thank you!