Cool Amps Needed for Eggleston Savoy's

The X600 was powering my 1 ohm Apogee Scintillas. I had used the X-150 on Apogee Duetta, and liked the sound very much, at the time. I figured, if the X600 can't be the best amp for the Scintillas, what could? We are talking about a lot of power. I still had my 4 ohm Duettas, when the X600 arrived. The sound was warmer, and fuller with the X600. A reviewer friend of mine liked the X150 better.

A fellow Scintilla owner told me he had tried an ICE powered eAR amp on his speakers, and it was the best sound he had ever heard. I didn't believe him at first. How could a little cold amp sound better than two behemoths with Supersymmetry? I took a chance anyway, and found the fellow had been too modest. The eAR gave better bass, and much clearer upper octaves.

When a fellow Scintilla owner, and talented amp builder came out with his own ICE powered amp, I didn't hesitate. I have the H2O Signature monos. These are the best. They sell for $5,500 direct. They are not in a pretty box, but they will power anything with the most stunningly real sound I have ever heard. check out the reviews at Agon, the Asylum, and at the ICEH2O site.

Rowland also makes the 201 and 501 monoblocks. The 201 is less than $5K/pair and delivers 250/500 watts. The 501 is double the power. These amps are very small, run cool to the touch (always) and consume practically no power at idle. The 301 is a different architecture, and much more expensive. All of these are based on the ICEpower modules.

What it H2o's website?

iceh2oaudio.com

I have auditioned the Rowland 201 and 501's before I auditioned the H20 monoblocks (standard version). I own the H20 Signature Monoblocks. That should give you an idea of my feelings between the two. The Rowlands have a much nicer "jewelry box" look to them, than the industrial, simple look of the H20. My purchase was based upon what sonic merits the amp exhibited... for more info there is a review I posted on this site.