Innersound esl300 Amp

Rocket · « **on:** 18 Oct 2005, 12:37 am »

Hi Guys,

Just wondering if anyone has had any experiences with the innersound esl300 amp? I have the opportunity to purchase a new one at a very good price.

I am after an amplifier which has a high level of performance which includes, transparency, provides inner clues/nuances, bloom/timbre, has to have reasonable soundstage depth and great bass definition. I do not want an amplifier which sounds hifi-ish.

I guess i want the lot

for my money but it needs to be on a budget. Actually from what i read i guess i'm after a mc cormack dna 500 but i cannot afford one.

Regards

Rod

warnerwh · « **Reply #1 on:** 18 Oct 2005, 01:45 am »

Buy it. This amp is outstanding. One went on Audiogon a little while ago for 1000. Take it. Trust me. This amp is smooth as can be and at the same time detailed. My RM 40's love it. Also it runs cool unless you run it hard. This amp is great and that's why you don't see too many go up for sale. If you check the other peoples opinions over at AA you'll hear the same thing.

woody · « **Reply #2 on:** 18 Oct 2005, 01:57 am »

Quote from: warnerwh

Buy it. This amp is outstanding. One went on Audiogon a little while ago for 1000. Take it. Trust me. This amp is smooth as can be and at the same time detailed. My RM 40's love it. Also it runs cool unless you run it hard. This amp is great and that's why you don't see too many go up for sale. If you check the other peoples opinions over at AA you'll hear the same thing.

Couldn't agree more. Outstanding amp for the money. Gobs of power and current, and very transparent as well. Even with my ESLs, it never ran hot. With dynamic speakers, I would it expect it to get get lukewarm at most. Also, it won't run up your electric when idle.

NealH · « **Reply #3 on:** 18 Oct 2005, 02:25 am »

I have an Innersound ESL-300, a Bel Canto evo-4 II, and a Crown K2 amplifier. The Bel Canto is my favorite as it is the most transparent, has better clarity, seems livelier than the Innersound, and does a better job with spacial cues.

The Innersound has some strengths; it is a hint warm'ish (richer or fuller) through the lower registers (which is often a good thing), a bit smsoother overall, and seems to have unlimited power - unfazed by the load. And it produces a rock solid image. However, I miss the immediacy, the "reach out and touch me" palpable sound that the BC provides. The Innersound falls short in this respect. The BC can sound lean'ish with some music though, when the Innersound sounds just about right and better filled out. So it's not a clear cut victory for the BC in every case.

Verdict: The Innersound is an above average ss amplifier that is well worth $1K. Not perfect, but no glaring faults. Without something to compare it to directly, you will likely not notice any weak areas. It's an easy amp to live with.

Rocket · « **Reply #4 on:** 18 Oct 2005, 03:32 am »

Hi Guys,

Thanks for your comments regarding the innersound amplifier. I'm not sure how much i can purchase one for but they retail for $5850au here in australia. I am not expecting to pay anywhere near that much.

I don't have access to a bel canto amplifier, although i have heard a number of them and they sure do sound fabulous. Sometimes i do think they sound a little lean and don't have the emotional impact of a good quality ss amplifier. When you describe that it is less transparent than the bc amplifier is it by a big margin or is it only marginal?

Does the innersound get your foot tapping? I have a highly modded ps audio hca - 2 which sounds wonderful but it doesn't get my foot tapping.

Regards

Rod

warnerwh · « **Reply #5 on:** 18 Oct 2005, 04:13 am »

You should snag that one on Audiogon before it's gone. They don't last more than a couple of days. For that price that guy will get rid of it fast. The sound is rich and accurate. My speakers are extremely transparent and I can't imagine an amp doing any better. Also remember you can always sell it for what you paid but I don't know what shipping is to Australia. Nice city Perth is btw. When I had been there I was treated wonderfully. As a matter of fact Perth reminds of me of my home town Portland, OR so I felt almost at home there.

mca · « **Reply #6 on:** 18 Oct 2005, 05:11 am »

I can vouch for Warner on the amp. I got the chance to listen to his system and it's one of the best I have heard.

Rocket · « **Reply #7 on:** 18 Oct 2005, 11:32 am »

Hi Warnerwh,

Shipping would cost me in the vicinity of $200us/$300au but the deal killer is that the voltage is 110v whilst in australia it is 220-240v. I don't really like to use a step up transformer and would have to get it modified.

I have been down the path of having the voltage alterred to 220-240 volts with my ps audio amplifier and i'm sure that is the reason why it blew up.

Regards

Rod

woodsyi · « **Reply #8 on:** 18 Oct 2005, 12:03 pm »

Quote from: Rocket

Hi Guys,

Thanks for your comments regarding the innersound amplifier. I'm not sure how much i can purchase one for but they retail for $5850au here in australia. I am not expecting to pay anywhere near that much.

I don't have access to a bel canto amplifier, although i have heard a number of them and they sure do sound fabulous. Sometimes i do think they sound a little lean and don't have the emotional impact of a good quality ss amplifier. When you describe that it is less transparent than the bc ...

I think the price is good but the last iteration was MKII and this one does not say that. The difference I believe was in global feedback -- I think it went from none to some. I had the mkII on my RM40 woofers for a while. I can vouch for it gripping the woofers for low bass and still maintaining meaty and balanced sound to baritone voice. I miss it but it is now driving a pairs of stats that it was designed for. On the mids/highs, they are good but not as good as my Hurricanes. For that goose bump stuff especially in vocal music, perhaps you should try tubes

What speakers are you running?

Rocket · « **Reply #9 on:** 18 Oct 2005, 02:10 pm »

Hi Woodsyi,

Here is a rough picture of my war audio speakers which use a raven 1 ribbon tweeter and 2 x 7inch (7k4211db) focal kevlar mid/bass drivers in an mtm configuration.

I think they are about 89-90db but dip under 4 ohm and not that easy to drive. I had a nice n.e.w. 20.1 (22 watts per channel) but they weren't powerful enough for the speakers. 100 watts per channel seems to drive them effortlessly.

I know absolutely nothing about tube amps but the oz dealer who has a $1320au credit for me has rogue amps (tube), sophia electric, innersound and ampzilla 2000 amps i can choose from.

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?action=gallery;area=browse;album=37

Anyway thanks for the advice.

REgards

Rod

woodsyi · « **Reply #10 on:** 18 Oct 2005, 02:45 pm »

Quote from: Rocket

Hi Woodsyi,

Here is a rough picture of my war audio speakers which use a raven 1 ribbon tweeter and 2 x 7inch (7k4211db) focal kevlar mid/bass drivers in an mtm configuration.

I think they are about 89-90db but dip under 4 ohm and not that easy to drive. I had a nice n.e.w. 20.1 (22 watts per channel) but they weren't powerful enough for the speakers. 100 watts per channel seems to drive them effortlessly.

I know absolutely nothing about tube amps but the oz dealer who has a $1320au credit for me ...

From what you want, I think you really should give tubes a try to see if that is the emotional grip that you are looking for. Rogue has 100 watt amp. You can also use a autoformer to make the load easer for a SET or lower powered amp. I would try an autoformer and a Sophia Electric amp that will fit your budget. I have pair of speakers (90 db eff) Bill Baker is building for me that will have autoformer built in to an external x-over enclosure with 4 8 and 16 ohm tabs. I think a Sophia EL 34 used goes for about $600. Given your credit with the local vendor I would try that. It will open a whole new world of sound and tube rolling possibilities! FYI, my VMPS ribbons sound fabulous driven with my tube amp.