portal panache integrated amp

marvda1 · « **on:** 5 Sep 2004, 05:20 am »

does anyone have any experience with this integrated?

Hantra · « **Reply #1 on:** 5 Sep 2004, 04:24 pm »

Interestingly enough, this is distributed by a company that is 90 miles from me, and they have no facility for demo. Nor will they allow one to demo. I tried to get one for a get-together we were having, and told them we'd write up reviews, and they said I'd have to buy it.

marvda1 · « **Reply #2 on:** 5 Sep 2004, 05:11 pm »

don't they have a 60 day return policy?

Hantra · « **Reply #3 on:** 5 Sep 2004, 05:17 pm »

I think so. Doesn't matter though. We all wanted to hear it, and none of us wanted to buy it.

gitarretyp · « **Reply #4 on:** 5 Sep 2004, 06:03 pm »

I had one of these for a short while and was rather unimpressed. I found that it only slightly outperformed a jolida jd 1501a i had at the time. I replaced the panache with an aragon 4004 mkII and anthem pre 1l that trounced the panache in every way (equipment at the time was eminent tech lft-viiia, pioneer dv-45a, monarchy m22c dac + dip upsampler). I will say that the headphone out on the panache sounded wonderful with my hd600s.

Portal does have great customer service, however. I bought the amp used (not a demo from portal but from an individual on audiogon), and it arrived with an intermittently functioning headphone out. I sent it in for repairs, and they fixed it no questions asked.

Hantra · « **Reply #5 on:** 5 Sep 2004, 06:21 pm »

Sweet! I used to have a 1501 myself. . .