Mike,

Have MMMicro1 speakers.

KR Audio makes a 20W amp with super 300BXYZ tubes and would like to know if it will drive the MM1.

Also looking at Tom Evan Soul mono amps @ 30W.

glory November 20, 2012 15:33

Boo,

Have the Nordost Thor. The Purepower unit reduced the Thor to sub amp/TV duty. If indeed you use the Thor for your system still.

glory June 23, 2012 04:30

I have the older '05 Emitter 1 and running with the Zu Def speakers and LAmpozator dac leaves me with the soul of the music every listen I have with it. Changing out the Dac to SS left me cold and dry. The ASR will do that big time if your hook up the wrong component to it.

It likes Purepower and a high quality AC cable. The ASR cable is a throw away. Plug it into the wall and you end up sucking an egg.

I am sure there are ex Dart owners that have found better amps that to their ear sounds like the real things. I heard the Dart amps at Mike's place and it was the best audio system I ever heard. But the ASR or any other high end amp would have sounded great with his system.

Will be in Seattle in Aug. And hope to hear it again if Mike wills. My wife heard a cut and walked out in amazement and still talks about the sound she heard.

glory June 23, 2012 03:26

"Listening to any amplifier at an audio show is a waste of time - as we all do know just to well."

Really? Wow, we are all fools and time wasters who have ever stepped into an audio show room to hear an amp or system.

I will never ever go to another show.

Thanks Arm.

glory January 05, 2012 20:48

I was also transported with SET but IMO in my system it still lack some stuff. 101db speakers to boot. Everyone enjoy your amps.

HNY!!

glory December 30, 2011 20:13

I heard Mike's room several years ago (Playback Design/TT/RR >DarTZeel NHB-18NS>>DarTZeel NHB-108 Stereo amp>>EE MM3s).  The level of sonic realism achieved was stellar.  He is to be congratulated. 

I have owed several SET amps, including the Audio Note Neishu and P4 Silver, along with the M3 pre-amp and J-Spe loudspeakers.   I then migrated to OTLS, first the Atmasphere S30s and then later the 75W Tenors.  These amps were used to feed Zu Presence 101Db loudspeakers.  Each amp had its respective strengths and weaknesses.  The Tenor OTLs were the best tube amp I have owned or heard.  It possessed the presence and immediacy of SETs with SS dynamics.  However, living in Florida made them an untenable option due to their heat output.  I was distraught about giving them up and thought there was no way in hell I would find a SS or even tube amp to match them. I was wrong.  The ASR Emitter I Exclusive is like the Tenor on steroids.  I have lost nothing, but that brings me to a larger issue that needs to be addressed:  the lust of the flesh.  It is NEVER satisfied (like Tiger Woods).

We can reach a level (Mike is there) where our gear is so spectacular that equipment changes are lateral moves at best.  Like exotic cars, everyone has a different road feel, etc, but it is only DIFFERENT.  Audio can become a drug for many, and we have to hit it every day.  I have.  Audio addiction is powerful, and we often need rehab just to break free.  Tiger Woods could have any woman he wanted, but at the end of the day, his wife, the real prize, slipped away.  For me personally, this hobby has eerie parallels to the TW story.   A new amp comes out, and we lay with it. New wire, and we are dating it.  Audio pornography knocks at our doors, and the temptation is especially strong for those with $$$$. 
 
Think about it for a second.  What are WE really looking for in this hobby?  A transcendent experience?  Transformation?  Deliverance?  What?

SET amp? I think Mike you need to build a 2nd listening room and call it the SET room and there you can build around it. In the mean time I look forward to another visit to hear one of the better audio music room I have heard with the Dart amp.

In the end the SS amp done right just gives a total big picture to the sound that SET amps can not do. 

glory December 30, 2011 00:55