[John Casler]

Dick Oshler (you may remember him from Sterophile) has always been a favorite audio reviewer of mine. 

Got a chance to see Dick in Vegas last January.

I forgot to post this review of the AMBROSIA Preamp and the AMPZILLAs, so here it is:

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/superioraudio/equipment/0308/ampzilla_ambrosia.htm

Notice Dick ended up pulling a "CHENEY", and using the Son of AMPZILLA 2000's as Monoblocs.

He is one happy camper.

Here is a "hint"

The music's harmonic tapestry was remarkably silky and yet exquisitely detailed. The soundstage was solidly fleshed out with an excellent depth perspective and extremely stable image placement. Most telling was the manner in which vinyl surface noise, clicks and pops, were dispensed with. They disappeared so quickly, and with such a fast time signature, that their annoyance level was greatly reduced. This speaks volumes for the Ambrosia's transient response. Both the leading edge and decay portion of each transient were clearly enunciated, allowing low-level detail to naturally bubble to the surface. But just like the real thing, textures were not outrageously detailed. Some preamps flaunt it in your face with enough brightness and dissonant sizzle to fry eggs. The Ambrosia follows a different sonic path. Its low distortion signature and superlative transient response were responsible for a fluid delivery and enhanced clarity
 

and

Ampzilla lives again! It would appear that James Bongiorno is still riding tall in the saddle. Part musician and part audio magician, and a national treasure in my humble opinion, Bongiorno delivers the goodies yet again. While the Son of Ampzilla represents a safe recommendation at its price point (and for the record, I'm a proud owner of a Son), the Ambrosia is a sensation at any price point. Here is a full function preamplifier complete with MM and MC phono capability that for me bridges the sonic gap between solid-state and tube designs. If you already own a tube or hybrid amp, the Ambrosia should prove most complementary. With a tubed CD player, such as the PrimaLuna ProLogue Eight at the head of the chain, the Ambrosia-Son partnership partnered makes for a synergistic amplification chain competitive with the best money can buy.

[Hipper]

In the comments on using the Son of Ampzilla as monoblocks, it says 'it is important to note that SofA is a bridged amp so it cannot be bridged again, but simply using a single channel in each of two amps'.

Do I understand correctly that this means connecting just one channel with its single XLR plug to each SoA, leaving the other XLR socket empty?

I was considering vertical bi amping with the SoA. I thought of connecting each amp from my DAC/pre-amp using 'Y' cables (a single XLR at the DAC end, two XLRs at the amp end). Then using all four outs of one amp to power one speaker.

I currently use one SoA and bi-wire, which means having two spade connections on each SoA speaker out pins. I've found bi-wiring makes a noticeable improvement in clarity to the sound

[John Casler]

In the comments on using the Son of Ampzilla as monoblocks, it says 'it is important to note that SofA is a bridged amp so it cannot be bridged again, but simply using a single channel in each of two amps'.

Do I understand correctly that this means connecting just one channel with its single XLR plug to each SoA, leaving the other XLR socket empty?

That is correct. The other channel "idles" but since it draws very little power the Power Transformer is free to supply all of its current to the "active" channel (or at least that is my understanding)

I was considering vertical bi amping with the SoA. I thought of connecting each amp from my DAC/pre-amp using 'Y' cables (a single XLR at the DAC end, two XLRs at the amp end). Then using all four outs of one amp to power one speaker.

That would also work (more conventional)  It would be single amped stereobloc   As opposed to monobloc

I currently use one SoA and bi-wire, which means having two spade connections on each SoA speaker out pins. I've found bi-wiring makes a noticeable improvement in clarity to the sound

What cable are you using?

[Hipper]

My speaker cables are Van den Hul The Snowtrack:

http://www.vandenhul.com/p_C24.aspx

Mine are some twelve years old now.

There are probably better - it's an area I haven't really investigated.

I should add that I was using them for the normal two cable per speaker set up before going bi-wire.