Anyone heard the Blue Circle BC-8 monoblocks?

Hantra · « **on:** 18 May 2004, 10:07 pm »

Someone recommended them to me, and I have never heard one piece of BC gear.

On paper, they are hellacious amps with gobs of power, and that's just what I need. What I don't know is how they compare with my perennial favorite, Plinius, and some of the other big dogs out there.

Do they have finesse? Emotion?

Thanks,

B

John Casler · « **Reply #1 on:** 18 May 2004, 11:50 pm »

Quote from: Hantra

Someone recommended them to me, and I have never heard one piece of BC gear.

On paper, they are hellacious amps with gobs of power, and that's just what I need. What I don't know is how they compare with my perennial favorite, Plinius, and some of the other big dogs out there.

Do they have finesse? Emotion?

Thanks,

B

Brian Cheney used to use Plinius in his VMPS reference system and switched to AMPzilla 2000's

While not as good looking as the Blue Circles, they might be something to look into. The are great with ribbons and I have heard them many times.

List pricing on monobloc pair is $5500 (add $300 if you want black faceplate)

At this moment, they are the best amps I have personally heard.

vpolineni · « **Reply #2 on:** 18 May 2004, 11:54 pm »

actually i don't think the ampzilla would be a good fit for brandon because according to this:
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=6512&highlight=ampzilla

the ampzilla and the aksa are similar and if my memory serves me correct, I've read that brandon has preferred other amps over the aksa.

Hantra · « **Reply #3 on:** 19 May 2004, 12:00 am »

It's not that I didn't like thte AKSA. It just doesn't bleed emotion like the Plinius. IMO. . .

Interesting that Brian uses Ampzillas. I read his 250 review. . .

John Casler · « **Reply #4 on:** 19 May 2004, 01:53 am »

Quote from: vpolineni

actually i don't think the ampzilla would be a good fit for brandon because according to this:
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=6512&highlight=ampzilla

the ampzilla and the aksa are similar and if my memory serves me correct, I've read that brandon has preferred other amps over the aksa.

While I have not heard the AKSA (and I'm sure its very good) I doubt if one can say "the ampzilla and the aksa are similar".

Brandon look here for an in depth review which "is not gushy" but accurate as far as what I have heard myself.
http://www.ampzilla2000.com/Cordesman.pdf

KeithR · « **Reply #5 on:** 19 May 2004, 04:42 pm »

My friend has been dying for me to try a pair...problem is they are single ended, and my preamp (BAT) is balanced so doesn't seem possible right now.

Now if i switch to Placette active....

Kei · « **Reply #6 on:** 23 May 2004, 03:44 pm »

I own the cheaper stereo Blue Circle BC22 mk.2

It sounds wonderful. Slightly warm, beautiful midrange and smooth highs. With the mk.2, bass is also as good as the rest of the frequencies too. Most of all, it's musical. I like to describe it as Naim with imaging and soundstaging as well.

I like it better than my previous Bryston 4b-ST.

zybar · « **Reply #7 on:** 23 May 2004, 03:59 pm »

KeithR,

Are you thinking of trying the Placette Active Balanced? That is supposed to be one awesome preamp!!

I just sold my Placette RVC an it will be missed. I had to sell it b/c I needed more than a single input/output and I needed balanced.

George

KeithR · « **Reply #8 on:** 26 May 2004, 01:02 am »

Yep, when one comes up on the 'Gon, i'll probably take it.

Still lots to do setting up my speaks, so no hurry.

John- wait till you hear the next amp I'm buying....hint, it starts with an H.

zybar · « **Reply #9 on:** 26 May 2004, 01:04 am »

Better hope I don't get it first!

George

Brian Cheney · « **Reply #10 on:** 26 May 2004, 01:25 am »

I use the Plinius 250/IV, Ampzilla 2000 monoblocks and Son of Ampzilla stereo amps.

Of the three I currently prefer the Son of Ampzilla (stereo, 100W/ch, $3250). The Plinius is a wonderful amp of different (though not better) tonal quality and richness. It currently lists for over $9000. I can clip the Son of Ampzilla with certain Telarc selections, not so the monoblock Ampzillas or the Plinius.

I don't think anyone could go wrong with either Plinius or Ampzilla.

PhilNYC · « **Reply #11 on:** 26 May 2004, 02:45 am »

Quote from: Hantra

Someone recommended them to me, and I have never heard one piece of BC gear.

On paper, they are hellacious amps with gobs of power, and that's just what I need. What I don't know is how they compare with my perennial favorite, Plinius, and some of the other big dogs out there.

Do they have finesse? Emotion?

Thanks,

B

Hantra,

I just finished the HE2004 show with Blue Circle, and as it turns out, Gilbert Y of BC will be taking a trip down to your neck of the woods to bring the new BC206 hybrid stereo amp to a reviewer in the Raleigh area some time in mid-July (I get to keep it until then

). I mentioned to him that you might have some interest in hearing some BC gear, and he said that he'd be willing to see about having you (and anyone else from AC who was interested) hear a demo of the BC206 while he's there. (FYI - the BC206 falls between the BC-8 monoblocks and the AG8000 monoblocks in his product line). Once I get a better handle on the dates from him, I can coordinate with you to see if it will work...

Phil

Hantra · « **Reply #12 on:** 26 May 2004, 02:52 am »

Holy cow Phil!!! That would be really cool!!!!

I'd love to meet this guy. I hear he's cool. . . Moreover, I want to hear that gear b/c it gets continuous raves.

So you going to post some more pics of your room?

PhilNYC · « **Reply #13 on:** 26 May 2004, 02:57 am »

Gilbert's a great guy...a bit of a nutcase sometimes, but humorously so...

I posted a handful of pics from my room at HE2004 on my website:

http://www.sonicspirits.com/gallery.htm?audiocircle

I have a couple of funny ones of Gilbert that I can't post on the site (I think BC wants to post them on their site first!)