I recently upgraded to a Cary SLI80 Signature Edition F1 amplifier so I am reluctantly letting go of my Hibachis. I stumbled across these amplifiers when reading the Audiogon thread "Which components are stupid good" a couple years ago. Multiple users listed the TAD 125 Hibachis and others only had good things to say about TAD products. After also reading great reviews at audioreview.com, I decided to give them a shot and - WOW! I was thoroughly impressed to say the least.
The TAD 125 Hibachi II pack a ton of power (they effortlessly power my 87 db speakers at roughly 1/4 volume), they have very lush organic mids, nice bass slam, and the highs have the characteristically smooth "tube" sound that so many audiophiles love. Shortly after buying the TAD 125, I compared them to a Proceed AMP2 (which retailed for $2000) and the TAD 125 blew it away. In comparison, the Proceed was shrill and lacked the rich mid-range. I was so satisfied that I didn't think about upgrading amplifiers for years.
But ultimately the upgrade bug bit once again. I wanted to see what high quality tube amplification had to offer so I purchased a Cary SLI80 Signature F1 Edition (which retails for $4300 new). When the unit arrived, I expected it to blow the TAD 125 out of the water and.. I was disappointed. It didn't. The SLI80 had a more realistic midrange and clearer highs, but the TAD 125 had a richer midrange and much more powerful bass. I ultimately decided to pair the SLI80 with a Tube Audio Design 150 Signature pre-amp and that has seemed to fix what the SLI80 was lacking. But it took a system which retails new for $5800 to outperform the TAD 125 Hibachis! Moral of the story: these amplifiers represent a ridiculously good value.
The TAD 125 Hibachi monoblocks come with 2 sets RCA inputs, 2 sets of RCA outputs, and 2 sets of speaker outputs. Additionally, each monoblock has a volume control. They also come with the original power cords provided by TAD.
The amplifiers have been babied and they are in excellent condition.
They retail new for $1299 + shipping. I'm asking $600 + shipping.
See here for Audiogon "stupid good" components thread:
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?hbest&1312221340&openfrom&1&4#1See here for high praise from audioreview.com:
http://www.audioreview.com/cat/amplification/amplifiers/tube-audio-design/tad-125-hibachi-mono-blocks/prd_436770_1583crx.aspxSee here for review by Audiogon member:
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/frr.pl?ramps&1295202119&&&/Tube-Audio-Design-Hibachi-Monoblocks-TADTAD website Description:
Hibachi II amps are built with discrete transistors, no integrated circuits. A classic class A/B design (not a digital amp) with a twist - Near Zero Feedback is finally achieved in this unusual top shelf sounding solid state design. The only solid state amps that reveal recorded harmonic information (like tubes). Directly wired without coupling caps for outstanding perfect phase timed clarity. 1000 year vacuum tube voltage regulator rejects power line noise. A high current 8-pound hum free toroidal power transformer feeds a giant film bypassed filter cap bank that promotes effortless high speed current capability. Hibachi amps reveal ear pleasing tube amp 2nd order harmonic content other solid state amps by design can not play. 205 Watts with 4-Ohm speakers, 180W with 8-Ohm speakers. This powerhouse pair is made to deliver the best possible sound from speakers rated above 85db/1-Watt. Beautiful deep 11 clear coat piano black enclosures with removable tall rubber isolation feet make installation easy. Place on the floor near speakers or in your audio rack, horozintally or vertically.
SPECS & DETAILS
# 205W RMS Clean into 4-Ohm speakers, 180W RMS into 8-Ohm Speakers
# Best with speakers rated over 85db, 2-Ohm to 16-Ohm
# Perfectly Flat Frequency Response 5Hz-50kHz, -3db 2Hz-200kHz
# Cutting Edge Design without feedback reveals recorded harmonic structures like a tube amplifier while maintaining solid state bass capabilities
# Features Soft Clipping like tube amps
# NO Coupling Caps, Directly Connected Part To Part for Zero Loss in Detail, Zero Phase Shift Blur
# 0.7V-RMS input for full power (normal CD player line level output)
# Easy to drive & match 46k Input Impedance
# Small volume knob on each amp to balance the room and adjust the input sensitivity. (0.7V to 20V) to match any preamp with RCA jacks
# Hibachi-II's have External Access Speaker Protection Fuses Supplied with 4-Amp speaker fuses for 200W rated speakers, Use 3-Amp speaker fuses for
# 17 Pounds Each
# 13-1/2" x 11" x 9" Tall to top of binding posts
# Giant toroidal high current 8-pound power transformer with smart sensing vacuum tube filter and huge film bypassed filter cap array
# Self test power up: Red light speaker disconnected for 2-seconds then relay clicks to Green light
# Draws very light current idling silent (12-watts),
# A Power Conditioner with relay disconnect surge protection is highly recommended to protect your valuable audio equipment
# Large WBT Style gold 5-way speaker wire binding posts accept all wire gauges
# Versatile high quality 4-Way Solid Nickel RCA's: Use one RCA for the normal mono block input. Combine L & R preamp signals on the amplifier using 2 RCA jacks to make mono for a center speaker. Has 2 more RCA jacks to easily daisy chain another amp for bi-amping. Can use the extra jacks for HT: Connect both your HT processor and your 2-chan preamp outputs to this amplifier at the same time - has a unique TAD designed isolation network on the RCA jacks.
