Thanks John, I appreciate it!
How would you describe their sonic signature and how would you compare them to other amps around that price range such as the Wyred 4 sound that your carry or other brands you have heard?
I am still toying with the idea of getting the MCA-20, even though I think they might be overkill, to get a more relaxed presentation at higher SPL's.
Also have you experienced them driving a stereo setup?
Thanks in advance!
Well, an amp will of course, sound quite different depending on the speakers and room it is used with.
NuForce has a few qualities that make it a favorite of mine and the MCA series maintains these.
1) Resolution and Detail at a level that allows you to hear far deeper into a recording that many amps
2) The ability to drive a speaker and play LOUD without "crowding", which is when all the instruments and performers get pushed together on the sonic tapestry. The NuFORCE maintains excellent imaging and placement but just at a higher SPL.
3) Great Dynamic Range of both Macro and Micro Dynamics, again not negatively affected by volume levels
4) Clear Clean and Accurate Bass Quality and Dynamics, due to the ability to produce current quickly, and relatively high Damping Factor
They are NOT lush, or smooth, or warm, or rounded, or tubelike. However they are also not edgy, steely, brash, or clinical. Once you get used to hearing all the content, it is hard to live without.
I have not heard either in a dedicated 2 channel system, but my HT system is better than most dedicated systems and they sound remarkable in it.
They are, of course, not quite as good as the IDA-16 which I currently have in my 2 channel system, because they do not have the much more expensive "cross-matrix" capacitor array, which is the same circuitry as in the REF-18 and REF-20 monoblocs.
That said, they DO however have a lion's share of the same qualities (NuFORCE is known for) as above.