About a year ago I went out with a 2500 Dollar budget for a new amp and came back with this 695 dollar integrated amplifier (there is a new version out for 795 and the only difference wit mine is that the new version has shiny chrome plated knobs). I listened to Creek, Exposure, Unico Unison, various tube amps etc etc. This Qinpu is an astonishing amp and a must audition in the under 2K category in my view.
Orchestral passages are rendered with aplomb - space, soundstage, timbre etc. The people who created this amp must have been musicians - it has such a natural tone. It's not the fastest amp, nor the most transparent - though there is detail aplenty, but it's lively, dynamic. It runs very cool. It has weight, conveys timbre and can generate deep bass (which is very cool with double bass or cello works)
More detailed info in my review:
http://db.audioasylum.com/cgi/m.mpl?forum=amp&n=87165&highlight=qinpu+joel_waterman&r=&session=Asking 439 US Dollars (excludes shipping in conus)
