I have this amp for a few weeks now.
Please keep in mind that this is my first exposure to tripath based amps so i cannot really compare it to others.
i am not a DIYer, i have no clue as to quality of parts, upgrade options, etc. In fact i only opened my unit once to make sure that tubes are well socketed.
I tried the amp with Von Schweikert VR-3s and ACI Protege V speakers (both are 86db, 6 Ohm sets). I would imagine there are many other more tripath friendly loudspeakers out there.
However I felt the amp was able to drive both speaker sets fairly well.
I did not have any problems others reported - both tubes arrived undamaged, no hum, hiss in either bypass or preamp mode.
as far as sound i did not care for preamp section at all, however in bypass mode the amp sounded really nice. i did not hear characteristic SET sound others have reported for tripath based amps, however i found it very detailed yet musical. The lack of SET sound signature can be explained by the fact that the amp is much more powerful than most class-t amps as well as by my choice of speakers.
i am going to return the amp after 30 days trial period is over. when i bought it my hope was that it could take place of my separates, simplifying the system, however as integrated amplifier the unit was not up to task - lousy volume control and power buttons, cheap remote, questionable tube buffer, etc.
while it is nice as a stand alone amp, my Belles 150A is a better match for the rest of my system
gene
