Solid State Power Amp Reviews

What's in a name? Quite a bit, when you stop and think about it. Would you rather have prostate surgery by Dr. Steadyhand or Dr. Whoops? Names imply a lot, even if we don't consciously make the connection; that's why your Polo shirt was made by Ralph Lauren instead of Ralph Lipshitz.

Recently, on the Stereophile Web">http://forum.stereophile.com/forum/ubbthreads.php">Web forum, reader Natal commented on Robert J. Reina's review of the Creek">http://www.stereophile.com/integratedamps/107creek">Creek Audio Destiny integrated amplifier in the January 2007 issue: "Maybe it's just me but I've never found any piece of electronic equipment sexy."

Just after I agreed to review the Accuphase M-2000 monoblocks, importer Arturo Manzano began urging me to take the Accuphase PS-1200 Clean Power Supply as well.

As a reviewer who has focused on seeking out high-quality audiophile gear for cost-constrained readers, I'm embarrassed to say that the flagship RB-991 stereo amplifier is the first Rotel product I've had in my house. (To be fair to myself, this 38-year-old family-owned company did not develop a large US market presence until this last decade.)

The last Classé power amplifier I reviewed, back in November 2004, was the imposing Omega">http://www.stereophile.com/solidpoweramps/1104classe">Omega Omicron monoblock ($20,000/pair), which made glorious sound with the Revel">http://www.stereophile.com/floorloudspeakers/302">Revel Ultima Studio speakers. But things change. First, my reference speakers are now B&W">http://www.stereophile.com/floorloudspeakers/1205bw">B&W 802Ds. Second, my system now has three front speakers, supplemented by two B&W 804S speakers for surround sound. While a quintet of Omicrons would undoubtedly be dandy, five such monoliths would take up so much space that I'd be wondering about their effects on the room's sound. With so many channels, it seemed time to investigate whether a multichannel amp could carry the load.

Talk about going from the ridiculous to the sublime. One day I'm reviewing the $139 Sonic">http://www.stereophile.com/solidpoweramps/1006sonic">Sonic Impact Super T power amplifier, and the next day Krell Industries delivers their $10,000 Evolution 505 SACD/CD player, $15,000 Evolution 202 preamplifier, and their $30,000/pair Evolution 600 monoblocks.

Why don't you review affordable gear?