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I have owned four of these superb amplifiers for over ten years and used them for five of those years. They are so utterly brilliant, that I couldnt face selling them on and had planned to use them in a vinyl set-up. This never happened, so Ive bitten the bullet and they are now for sale, after being replaced by a Naim NAP 500.
These are the same B&O ICE power amplifiers used by a number of audiophile manufacturers, such as Jeff Rowland, Bel Canto and Wyred4Sound, some costing several thousands of pounds per module. The normal commercial offerings use the B&O boards as they are supplied, complete with cheap industrial connectors and some electronic components that are barely adequate for purpose.
For these particular amps, the industrial connectors have been replaced or bypassed and the cheap electrolytic capacitors replaced, along with a number of other critical components that limit performance.
This work was carried out by an electronics guru based in Yorkshire, who was highly regarded for modifying audio equipment, such as the Arcam Alpha 5 CD player and other similar machines with unrealised potential.
The 100W modules were chosen specifically, as having the greatest potential for improvement, over both the higher and lower powered versions.
I have no great knowledge of electronics, so dont ask me for precise details, but this is a summary of the work done:
Electrolytic capacitors replaced by Jelmax Black Gate capacitors, which should never need replacing
Both the amplifier circuits and power supplies have been extensively modifiedSurface mounted, high quality phono connectors
Cardas, solid un-plated copper speaker connectors
Internal wiring with zero crystal, high purity copper
In addition, I have recently had the amps re-cased and checked over by Sean Jacobs, who is the proprietor of Custom HiFi Cables and has gained fame as the designer of the power supplies in the Innuos Zenith SE and their newest generation of servers.
The re-casing work cost well in excess of 200.00, with all wiring using his top of the range copper cable. There is also a switch to enable the amps to be used in mono mode. The case has a 10mm thick aluminium front plate and aluminium side and rear plates, with a brushed black finish and violet LED. It measures 450mm x 280mm x 90mm.
Because of changes in other equipment, I cant be absolutely certain, but I feel that the re-casing work has had a positive impact upon sound quality. However, I can say that these amplifiers can make some of the best linear and PWM amps sound dynamically compressed. They have a wonderful ability to sound real, with minimal colouration, excellent information retrieval and superb Pace Rhythm and Timing. In my opinion, they are a revelation and some of the most musical sounding amps I have ever heard.
This auction is for two amps in one case. Sean is currently re-casing a second pair of amps and they will be ready in June/July and be completed to exactly the same specification.
I normally start my auctions at 99p, but because of the cost of the re-casing work, I will put a moderate reserve. Part of my reason for selling is genuinely altruistic – I want them to be enjoyed by someone else, rather than languishing in the loft. I could never be a business man!!!
Postage will be 15.00 and the eBay GSP will be used for bidders outside the UK.
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Category: Sound and Vision:Home Audio and HiFi Separates:Amplifiers and Pre-Amps
Location: Coventry