Srajan Ebaen's review of the Butler 2250 is complete.

Double Ugly · « **on:** 10 Nov 2004, 04:55 pm »

DARTH AUDIO · « **Reply #1 on:** 10 Nov 2004, 05:15 pm »

I got the impression that he liked the amp but wasn't overly impressed?He did say that he would stick to his tube amps. I'll stay with my Jolida JD3000's

At least I'll save money on heating this winter

zybar · « **Reply #2 on:** 10 Nov 2004, 05:38 pm »

I didn't get the impression he was wowed like he has been on some other gear lately (i.e. Gall Ref 3, BPT 3.5 Sig/Plus conditioner, etc...)

I will be very interested to see what Chip says since he will have monos and directly compare to DNA-500 (which I currently have and prefer over my 201's).

George

mr_bill · « **Reply #3 on:** 10 Nov 2004, 05:49 pm »

George,
Did I hear you say that you prefer the McCormack 500 over your 201's?
The McCormack must be quite a performer!
Any preliminary comments?
Thanks,
Bill

zybar · « **Reply #4 on:** 10 Nov 2004, 06:04 pm »

Quote from: mr_bill

George,
Did I hear you say that you prefer the McCormack 500 over your 201's?
The McCormack must be quite a performer!
Any preliminary comments?
Thanks,
Bill

Bill,

I will post in another thread so I don't get us off topic.

George

Double Ugly · « **Reply #5 on:** 10 Nov 2004, 06:10 pm »

Quote from: zybar

I didn't get the impression he was wowed like he has been on some other gear lately (i.e. Gall Ref 3, BPT 3.5 Sig/Plus conditioner, etc...)

I agree.

I thought it was a strange review, in that he spent much more time trying to define what the amp was (or wasn't) than he did describing how it sounded with music. There was a lot of flowery speech and techno babble, but not a lot of meat where it mattered most IMO.

I haven't heard the DNA500, but I'd like to. I've always been enamored with Steve's work. I even toyed with getting a pair of his highly-modified DNA-125s at one time, but decided the risk matched the expense - both were high. It's rare that I'll buy something expensive that I've never heard, and rarer still when it comes with no return option.

But I've heard the 2250s, in Denver and in my home. It's just one man's opinion, but I don't believe Srajan did them justice with his review. Luckily I don't need Srajan to make my decision for me, nor do I measure the success or failure of my system by how he or anyone else judges the individual components that make it up.

-Jim

NealH · « **Reply #6 on:** 11 Nov 2004, 12:30 am »

Quote

I thought it was a strange review, in that he spent much more time trying to define what the amp was (or wasn't) than he did describing how it sounded with music. There was a lot of flowery speech and techno babble, but not a lot of meat where it mattered most IMO.

This is classic Srajan. And, it is the reason his reviews are often frustrating to read, though I always read them anyway. It just takes him 4 zig-zagging paragraphs to make one sentence and, like a puzzel, you will ultimately have to fit the pieces together.

My take is that he liked it but, it is no revelatory giant killer - the laws of physics have not been fooled and, it is a bit outside his current fetish - that of microwatt SET's driving horns. Hence the seemingly lack of enthusiasm.

When Chip chimes in it will hopefully give us more insight as to it's sonic virtues. This could be several weeks away.

Tyson · « **Reply #7 on:** 11 Nov 2004, 12:41 am »

Moved to Audio Central, as Critics Circle is for member reviews only.

Music Maven · « **Reply #8 on:** 11 Nov 2004, 01:24 am »

The Butler is sure cool looking...nothing like a soft blue glow from components to warm a winter night!

Jerry

Double Ugly · « **Reply #9 on:** 11 Nov 2004, 01:55 am »

Quote from: Tyson

Moved to Audio Central, as Critics Circle is for member reviews only.

I apologize Tyson. I should've known that.

Thanks for moving it.

-Jim

Jon L · « **Reply #10 on:** 11 Nov 2004, 05:00 am »

Reading that review gave me a headache. I think his reviews are getting more and more wordy as time goes by. I remember his earlier reviews to be easier to follow.

Somebody explain to me what the hidden design secret of the Butler is please? Is it much different than the usual triode input/driver tube driving push-pull solid state output devices, a la Counterpoint, Aria Audio, and other hybrid designs.

Red Dragon Audio · « **Reply #11 on:** 11 Nov 2004, 06:11 am »

Quote from: Jon L

Reading that review gave me a headache. I think his reviews are getting more and more wordy as time goes by. I remember his earlier reviews to be easier to follow.

Somebody explain to me what the hidden design secret of the Butler is please? Is it much different than the usual triode input/driver tube driving push-pull solid state output devices, a la Counterpoint, Aria Audio, and other hybrid designs.

I like his writing more and more...but I have a big jar of acetaminophen right by my bed just in case...

Butler's designs are NOT just the ordinary triode input driver; if it were would he be applying for patents and try to license the technology?

I think what he has done is to operate the tube at a constant bias where it's at full tilt at all times. So it's running in some range where it injects the tube sound into the chain but what's more important is the part where there is some kind of feedback loop (don't know if it's feedback but it says it's a reflected load). This is supposed to directly tie the speaker interface with the tube in order to get more of that tube goodness going into the speaker.

Hantra · « **Reply #12 on:** 11 Nov 2004, 02:42 pm »

Quote from: mr_bill

George,
Did I hear you say that you prefer the McCormack 500 over your 201's?
The McCormack must be quite a performer!
Any preliminary comments?
Thanks,
Bill

Don't want to threadjack either, but I have to say that this is no surprise to me.

Gordy · « **Reply #13 on:** 11 Nov 2004, 10:33 pm »

Though he doesn't sound ecstatic about it in the review, Srajan has included it in his favorite 6 discoveries of 2004... http://www.6moons.com/industryfeatures/b004/b004.html

Double Ugly · « **Reply #14 on:** 11 Nov 2004, 10:54 pm »

Quote from: Gordy

Though he doesn't sound ecstatic about it in the review, Srajan has included it in his favorite 6 discoveries of 2004... http://www.6moons.com/industryfeatures/b004/b004.html

True 'nuff, which only strengthens my belief that he short-changed the 2250 in the review.

-Jim

Gordy · « **Reply #15 on:** 11 Nov 2004, 11:38 pm »

Guess you're right! That article is well hidden, so anyone that's simply googling/seaching for Butler reviews probably will never see it...

Double Ugly · « **Reply #16 on:** 12 Nov 2004, 01:30 am »

Actually a Google search of "Butler 2250" places the 6moons review at the top of the results list, which is good since most of the others have nothing to do with audio.

Regarding the article being well-hidden, I haven't checked since BK sent a direct link to the review. That said, I've always found the 6moons site to be confusing and difficult to navigate.

-Jim

satfrat · « **Reply #17 on:** 12 Nov 2004, 07:21 am »

Quote from: Double Ugly

Quote from: Gordy
Though he doesn't sound ecstatic about it in the review, Srajan has included it in his favorite 6 discoveries of 2004... http://www.6moons.com/industryfeatures/b004/b004.html

True 'nuff, which only strengthens my belief that he short-changed the 2250 in the review.

-Jim

Frankly, I didn't get this impression whatsoever. I was my thought that Srajan was just holding back so there would be something from Chip's followup to actually look forward to. Guys, does this comment made by Srajan sound less than ecstatic or shortchanging? Srajan wrote:

Quote

The Butler is the event. Bass is amazingly extended and at the same time phenomenally differentiated. The midrange opened up and now floats images in midair between the speakers. Highs seem to go forever and don't hurt anymore. The Butler's ability to accurately portray image depth is astounding. This is the first amp since my Sonic Frontiers Power 2 that can portray the sense of stage depth of my Carmen record on the London label. And is it ever quiet.

I do agree with one thing you said tho Jim, even tho I like to read about someone agreeing with what I hear, this by itself doesn't determine my likes/dislikes,,, I TRUST my ears and I like what I like. That's the bottom line. I'm gonna go out on the limb here and make a prediction that you'll keep the 2250's. Gotta hunch,,,,,,, that's all.

Regards, Robin

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #18 on:** 12 Nov 2004, 07:39 am »

satfrat

Quote

I'm gonna go out on the limb here and make a prediction that you'll keep the 2250's. Gotta hunch,,,,,,, that's all. Regards, Robin

satfrat · « **Reply #19 on:** 12 Nov 2004, 07:57 am »

Quote from: lonewolfny42

satfrat
Quote
I'm gonna go out on the limb here and make a prediction that you'll keep the 2250's. Gotta hunch,,,,,,, that's all. Regards, Robin
I can go out on a limb too...out of the two amps that he's auditioning this weekend...he'll pick the Butler.. [/list:u]

Better use the footstool to reach that limb Wolfy,,,,,,

Regards, Robin