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Here's my final report on my 5 days with the Ncores (~30 hours listening).I had 4 other 'philes over yesterday, and we listened with the PS Audio IcePower amp section to get a baseline, then repeated the music selections with the NCores, all using the modded PSAudio preamp section, which itself is quite good- very transparent, fast and clean.The reactions to the change were uniform- the differences were far from subtle. While the modded Icepower modules sounded clean, neutral, easy on the ears and powerful, by comparison they also sounded a bit tame and slightly muffled dynamically, something I never felt was the case in the past, but it was undeniable in this comparo. Also, the NCores seemed to lower the bass cutoff by about a half octave - a huge amount. Whether this was measureable or a psychoacoustic phenomenon is unknown, but the effect is stunning. While the bass seems deeper, it is also clearer and more explosively dynamic. All on the panel couldn't believe that 7" woofers could produce clean, gut palpable sensations from pipe organ, kettle drums and synthesized bass, but hearing is believing. It is dramatic enough that there is a very good chance I'll get rid of my sub now.Just as dramatic, the soundstage depth, detail and focus improved dramatically. With the PS Icepower amps, the soundstage seemed to terminate maybe 4 feet behind the speakers, with the N-cores it was 20 feet or more, with reverberant room reflections from large spaces WAY back in the field, and very cleanly rendered, at that. Instruments and ambient sounds were surrounded by a deeper black, offering superb contrast.The top end was very finely detailed, yet the opposite of bright- the top end balance was simply right musically. I could understand how some might feel the top end laid back, though, but I see that as an absence of subtle grain and hash, at least as the RAAL tweeters display it. As I mentioned, the only amp I've heard that renders a soundstage better are 10 watt Shindos, with a Shindo pre, at around $20k retail. I feel I got a good chunk of that with these.Here's some panel comments from emails I received after the sessions:From Ken (Spectral pre/amp-> Ariel 10Ts, plus lots of great stuff):That Hypex amp made an already impressive system MUCH more impressive. Not a subtle improvement. Biggest strengths of the amp as I heard them: Bass reproduction: very tuneful bass sound with great tone, weight, and energyNatural tone: the improvement was along the lines of having switched to a tube amp in terms of tone, but with the weight and power you'd expect from a SS ampGreater coherence: the sound was just more right, with instruments and voices being far more believableYou hit a home run with these - seriously. I'd love to come back once you get yours put together.From Ramesh:Thank you much John for a memorable experience yesterday.Bulmaro and I talked about the system all the way back home.The amp was really impressive as Ken says, not to mention we were equally blown away by the speakers too.It perfectly matched with the speakers and brought out the best.
Jonbee - what type of stands and stand height do you use?Any pics of your system?
Rick,I would like to see what a floorstanding Tempesta looks like.
Rick,How are the floorstanders sounding compared to the stand mount tempestas?
I'm the guy in Northern Ohio, getting the floor standing Tempestas, I too look forward to hearing them, they will be driven by a Modwright KWI 200 IA.
Also looking forward to seeing what they look like.Oh, and Rick, if you deliver those in person, maybe the Northern Ohio Selah contingent can have an informal little get together for dinner or something. Chuck
