I received my 2-Cherry many weeks ago and upon feeling the well packed box (it was light) I thought "Oh-oh"..."There is no way this little box will make me grin." But once everything was connected to my Martin Logan Motion 40's and Benchmark USB DAC1 and I hit play off of some favorite saved Tidal tracks spanning from jazz to blues to electronica, there I was grinning ear to ear saying "Oh-oh" again. These things sing and allow music to come alive! There’s a responsive low end and an impressive spacial ‘image’, especially in the upper ranges. The upper end is very crisp and yet natural – not at all harsh. The dynamics are better than I have heard from any amp I’ve been able to either own or play around with. I admit that I don't understand all of the audiophile terms used today just as I don't understand the terminologies used to describe wines or craft beers. I just know what I like and I am absolutely stunned at what this little amp can do. In cooler months, I like to enjoy a tube amplifier for some music, but I am not missing the power hungry and room broiling tubes at all right now even if we were having nice and cool weather because this amp has been impressing me non-stop since it arrived. I will likely contradict myself again by summing it up by stating, the Two-Cherry is transparent yet musical at the same time. It just sounds great no matter what its cranking out! One day I hope to have the pleasure of listening through the Maraschino's.
Another happy DAC owner! Nice! I have had my Stereo Maraschino and DAC DAC HS1 for a few weeks myself. And even though Tommy had me expecting big things with his equipment, when I got the packaage and new there was a DAC, an amp and power supply in there, I was like this is light. And then when I opened it and took out the amp and DAC, once again, due to the size and weight, was like this isn't going to make full, beautiful, lush music with any authority or weight. It's just human nature to think that way. The amp is tiny and weighs nothing. And when compared to some of the 50lb behemoth Class A/B amps I have owned, well I was in the camp of size and weight=quality and brute power. So when I finally got everything hooked up and had some familiar and demanding music playing, I was shocked with the weight and authority of the sound. I couldn't believe all of that music was coming out of that tiny box. I have VERY easy to drive and efficient ZU Audio Omen Dirty Weekends, so a lot of amps sound good with them, but this is the first time I have ever heard them play with this kind of authority. The bass, well it's well defined fast and tight and it controls the 10 inch drivers in a way no other amp has. With the other amps I have used, it sounded like a signal was sent to the speaker and the ZU's took over from there and did what they wanted, not the case with the STM. It controls the ZU's and tells them what they are going to do. In other words it's got a firm control and handling of these speakers. It's not just the power and authority but the rich and organic sound quality I am hearing is beautiful. Very detailed and resolving but not etched or bright or digital sounding. Very smooth. I am starting to write a book here and have to get back to work. But in the near future, I plan on doing a thorough review. I am going to wait until I get the 60v power supply though, as I am running the 48v one now.
But glad to see another satisfied DAC owner! Tommy has worked some magic with these electronics!
