[jhenderson010759]

I am thinking of buying two of these amps to use in my primary rig to bi-amp my MTMs.  

Has anyone heard them?  I have come up high-and-dry in my web searches, except for the glowing praise given by Monte Kay on his website.  

Please advise.

[lonewolfny42]

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?action=systems;system=152 ...You might check with Captain Humble.

[Captain Humble]

jhenderson010759,
Lonewolf nails it again.

I have an Usher R-1.5 amp.
Prior to the Usher purchase I ran Odyssey Dual Monos, then Mono Extremes.  I had an Usher R-0.8 (80 watts per channel) in my listening room for about 3 months and now the Usher R-1.5 amp since February.

I need to update my system link.  I'm now running the new Usher
CP-6391's as mains.  The 6381's are sitting in a bedroom.  Probably should sell them.

Here's some info to help get you started:

Stan and Carter Tracht are the U.S. Distributors for Usher Audio.
Here’s a link to their website:
http://www.theehighend.com/

If you follow the link to product reviews it will take you here:
http://www.usheraudio.com/news1.htm

As you will see there are a ton of professional reviews on Usher gear.
Here is one from Poland on the R-1.5.  Obviously I clicked on the Polish Translation.
http://www.usheraudio.com/news%5CEng-Poland-R1.5P307.doc


THE AUDIOPHILE VOICE /THE AUDIOPHILE VOICE
http://www.usheraudio.com/news/THE%20AUDIOPHILE%20VOICE/images/THE%20AUDIOPHILE%20VOICE-3_jpg.jpg

It seems I've read a couple of others.
I'll try to track them down for you.

If you have any questions, fire away.

Jeff

[JoshK]

How would you compare the Usher amps to the Odyssey amps?  I'd also love to know what you thought of the R0.8 compared to the R1.5.  The R0.8 seems perfect in an active amping setup.  Not a bad price for such an application either.

Monte Kay (mfk-projects.com) loves the Usher gear and swears by it.

Our own Response Audio Mods's Bill Baker is a dealer for Usher and can get you their gear as well.  I inquired a while ago.  

For those curious like me I have the list price of the Usher gear.  I'd put it in this thread if I have Bill's permission.  This is the retail price list, not a quoted price so it should be ok.

[Captain Humble]

JoshK:
Sorry it took so long to respond.
As my Cajun friends say, “I’ve been serious busy.”

How would you compare the Usher amps to the Odyssey amps?

Rather than writing paragraph’s attempting to compare each individual trait I’ll keep it short and simple.  In my room, with my gear I prefer either of the Usher amps over the Odyssey amps I’ve owned.

I'd also love to know what you thought of the R0.8 compared to the R1.5. The R0.8 seems perfect in an active amping setup. Not a bad price for such an application either.

The R-0.8 (80 watts per channel) and the R-1.5 (150 watts per channel) are different designs with different sonic signatures.  The R-1.5 (150 watt) and the R- 2.5 (250 watt) are of the same design.

I’d say the R-0.8 is a bit forward compared to the 1.5 & 2.5. Note I’ve never heard Mark Knopfler’s guitar sound better then it does on the 0.8’s.

The 1.5 is a bit more balanced and refined so in the purest terms I give it the nod over the 0.8.  But…at its price I think the 0.8 would be very hard to beat, at least for my taste.

Either amp has more than enough power to drive speakers I’ve recently owned or still own including Marble 9.0’s, Odyssey Loreleis, Usher CP-6381's, CP-6391’s and B&W P5 floor standers to SPL’s well beyond my comfort level without breaking a sweat.

I heard through the grapevine that another review of the Usher R-1.5 is forthcoming. I’ll post a link when it’s available.

I hope that helps.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Jeff