[worldcat]

In the Absolute Sound they did a killer review on the ref 18.  I believed they got all the credit they deserved for this amp and agreed with everything they said in the article.  The only thing I did not believe was you system sounds bad  with bad recordings I believe there Is something else in your chain that is making that happen. I know one thing I have enjoyed mine.

p.s. This board has been dead! 

[John Casler]

Not sure if this is the review you are refering to but one Reference 18 review can be found HERE

It may take a couple minutes to download

[steve_sf]

p.s. This board has been dead!

Indeed. Wish they'd introduce their next upgrade to the Ref 9's. That would liven things up. Some time ago Jason mentioned plans for a Ref 9 CMA board upgrade.

[hifial]

I agree with you worldcat, the amps make even my bad recorded CDs sound listen-able. But maybe he meant that, bad recordings can not be made great sounding. Lets face it, if all he did was heap praise people would not believe him, it is "class D" after all.

[worldcat]

Class D is a huge threat to the big SS amps and people making them.  You can make class D so much cheaper and the technology moves fast. SS has been around for a long time and really nothing super new.  I see where lots of bigger older companies are getting into the class D bandwagon.  Like Audio Reasearch it's interesting.

[rbbert]

Not sure if this is the review you are refering to but one Reference 18 review can be found HERE

It may take a couple minutes to download

No, the one he worldcat refers to in the most recent print edition of The Absolute Sound (which means it won't be available "free" on-line until/unless NuForce pays to make it so).  It is an absolutely glowing review!

[worldcat]

Yes he is right I read it at (on) avguide.

[John Casler]

Indeed. Wish they'd introduce their next upgrade to the Ref 9's. That would liven things up. Some time ago Jason mentioned plans for a Ref 9 CMA board upgrade.

If all is as suggested, I think there will be SEVERAL nice surprises in VEGAS this January.

[rbbert]

My bad, I didn't realize that TAS article was already accessible without paying

[John Casler]

My bad, I didn't realize that TAS article was already accessible without paying

So, Is THIS it?





It looks like they are one and the same.     But with an easier URL to access.

[zmocsary]

Indeed. Wish they'd introduce their next upgrade to the Ref 9's. That would liven things up. Some time ago Jason mentioned plans for a Ref 9 CMA board upgrade.

There is an upgrade available by the "Upgrade Company", which swaps out cheap parts and installs V-Caps as well as other higher quality parts.
The also upgrade the internal wiring and insulation which is marginal, according to them.
These upgrades are supposed to push the amps to a new level sonically.
The cost is $1500 and is well worth it if what they claim is true.
In fact, they sell the upgraded versions of the amps as well as other Nuforce products (preamps, music server).
Currently they are working on my EAR 858 and if I like what I hear, will send in the Ref 18s as well--they would benefit from a little more body and warmth.

Zoltan

[steve_sf]

Zoltan, please keep us posted on the results. -S

[worldcat]

I would love to hear this upgrade

[John Casler]

Have recently been able to use the REF-18 and P-20 and the sound is "pure'.  (that is the only word that describes it).

Came across this review in 6 moons and seems this reviewer hears that same quality.


LOOK HERE








From the Review:

In my review of the Reference 9SE V3 I concluded with a statement that, in some way or other, described the diminutive overachievers as being competitive with amplifiers of far higher physical and fiscal stature. The Reference 18 monoblocks outdo their stable mates by way of presenting a more tonally accurate sound that is also more relaxed in the midrange, and as paradoxical as it may sound, even more intimately detailed, resolute and powerfully dynamic.


So what of the Reference 18 and its position in the amplification firmament? Given their superb chassis construction, striking appearance, advanced technology and spectacular sound, I’d say their position would be rather - er, stratospheric. I’d even say that the growing ranks of reference-quality amplification have a new cutting-edge and ingenious contender.