How does Red Rose compare to older Levinson stuff?

My one and only experience with Red Rose was about 20 months ago.

Regarding your first question, I have no idea. However, as I was driving thru Kansas, I stopped in at Acoustic Sounds in Salina, KS. In the owner's office was a nice little Red Rose Music setup that included the speakers, stands, and amp.

As I recall, the Red Rose equipment together retailed for about $5k, but it sounded substantially better than some $50k to $100k systems I've heard. Rich, full, warm, a nice natural bloomy midrange, yet detailed enough presentation (and I've never particularly been a Levinson fan).

In fact, to this day, that little system remains one of the better systems I've heard. But keep in mind that I had only listened with the owner playing blues with a single vocal and one or two instruments. How it fairs with more complex music, I have no idea.

I believe this setup may have been the smaller Red Rose amp and speakers. Regardless, that system had much to offer and depending on one's requirements, I'd put it in the top contenders list of must listen.

-IMO

I have heard the Affirmation (the biggest integrated) with Classic speaker in a showroom. It was a nice sound, dynamic, but warm, lots of details. Some friends bought its chinese version (original OEM?), the Korsun V8i. They are absolutly happy with that for a 1/7th price of the Affirmation. One uses the Korsun instead of Pass Aleph, the other instead of Mcintosh 6800. Both are happier with the Korsun. I hope this helps.

The new things are all China made and while most sound fairly good,they sell for far to much. I think they are out of business again.

The tubed Red Rose components were formerly built and distributed by Audio Prism. ML bought the line from them, and they supported the manufacturing and development efforts. They have now parted ways, which is why ML went with the Korsun stuff (IMO).

The Audio Prism equipment was truly excellent. Great parts quality and exceptional power supplies (that was their expertise anyway). I have an Audio Prism Mantissa preamp and it is exceptional.

Of course when ML bought their amps and preamps he doubled their retail prices. Who wouldn't - they were competing at that level anyway.

Not sure if these are the Red Rose components you are talking about, or perhaps you are looking at the Korsun stuff.

Good luck,
Bob

I was just looking for something that would be upgrades to my ML1 Levinson preamp and Audio research d100 amp. Integrated is what I'm leaning towards.