Short of repeating what genjamon and mikeastman have already said in this thread...I agree with both of them. I own NCore 400's as my reference amplifier. My entire system is listed in detail on my systems page. The primary differences I heard were mainly in the midrange which on the TBI MG3 was more 'pleasing' and more 'SET' like. What it lacked however was in inner detail, soundstaging, imaging precision, and the bass was definitely not as extended nor textured as the NCore 400's. However, as Freo-1 has already said, it is not a fair comparison given the price differences of the two amplifiers and more importantly, the power differences. My speakers are 95dB sensitive so they can work easily on 10 watts although the NCores have a sense of 'conviction' which the TBI does not have, even with 95dB sensitive speakers. The other negative with the TBI irrespective of whether I used the AC power supply (with TWL 7+ cord plugged into an UberBuss) or the battery was this high frequency hash or chatter that was audible at my listening position (about 10 feet away) especially on quiet passages. This is definitely not the case with the NCore (which have coffin like silence). This hash was present regardless of which interconnect I used, whether shielded or not. This is an inherent problem with the TBI unit itself. Probably not audible on less sensitive speakers but definitely there and more so than previous amplifiers I have owned such as the SDS254 or the Peter Daniel Gain Clone.
Keep in mind that there is some competition at the TBI's price point of $500. Depending on what you seek, the SDS units are excellent, although they will not have the lush midrange that the TBI provides. In addition, for a little more and a sum total of $800, you can purchase a pair of fully balanced Hypex UCD 180 HG HxR amplifiers with power supply and a good chassis from diyaudio. This comes within a fighting distance of competing with the NCore 400's except for the power differences (90 watts/8 ohms versus 200 watts/8 ohms). I heard a UCD 400 HG HxR compared to an NCore 400 and they were nearly identical except that the NCore was slightly more refined in the top end.
If you like a 300B like sound but with a little more power, the TBI is the unit for you. I prefer more of an 845 or GM70 like presentation. Different strokes for different folks. The NCore 400 is neither of them, but very few amplifiers I have heard have the level of transparency, neutrality and truthfulness the NCore has. The TBI has this honey suckle coloration (that I do find addictive) where the bass is bumped up and ripe, the lower midrange is warm, and the top end is slightly rolled off but unfortunately with compromises in areas such as soundstaging, imaging precision, realism, and transparency. Listenable? Absolutely. Musical? Absolutely. MY reference tool? Absolutely not.
Best,
Anand.
