Background: I wanted a cheap entry into the SET sound (with my XRS), so I purchased this DARED amp off of EBAY. The recent 6 Moons reviews of DARED tamed my anxiety over buying a strange brand. So I took the plunge.
I have only listened for several hours...so please don't take this as a thorough review. But, I thought it worthwhile to capture that pure, initial joy.
For context, I have been listening to my XRSs with a Super-T for several weeks (and before that the Super-T was powering Klipsch RB-35s). Both Super-T based systems sounded great. But the first few moments with this DARED SET struck with the force of revelation. No exaggeration. Everything I played in my initial listen sounded absolutely gorgeous. From WILCO's Yankee Hotel Foxtrot to Bruckner's 7th Symphony (Von Karajan conducting)....beautiful.
Anyway, I am absolutely amazed. Additionally, I braced myself for weak bass through the SET (I have read numerous forums with posts conveying weak bass as a SET handicap. To my surprise the DARED's bass far surpassed that of the Super-T. Whereas the Super-T's bass sounded bland and non-descript, the DARED was rich, tight and musical. By musical I mean I could hear the belly of Yo Yo Ma's/du Pre's cello resonating deeply in the lowest registers. It was stunning.
I will follow up in several weeks after a more thorough listen.
But if a newbie (or someone with limited disposable income) with the Super 3 family wants a taste of SET, this combo works. My initial impression undoubtedly sounds naive...and well, it is. But I trust my ears. My reference isn't necessarily a high-end system; it's the Boston Symphony Orchestra playing in Symphony Hall
or a Fender Stratocaster with Kinman pickups though a VOX. In short, I love good tone...and my new amp/speaker combo certainly has it.
Hope this post benefits someone.
Gushing over.