Blue Circle Integrated Amps?

jasonc · « **on:** 2 Jan 2006, 11:53 pm »

Has anyone here heard the Blue Circle Integrated amplifiers? They've received some pretty positive reviews which have made me curious.
I'm also very much considering AVA gear but I do like the space saving I would get with a Blue Circle Integrated. The NSCS is on my short list but I would have to wait for a deal on one so I'm also considering the CS as an option.
Feedback on either would be appreciated.
Thanks!

Bingenito · « **Reply #1 on:** 3 Jan 2006, 12:28 am »

Quote

Has anyone here heard the Blue Circle Integrated amplifiers? They've received some pretty positive reviews which have made me curious.
I'm also very much considering AVA gear but I do like the space saving I would get with a Blue Circle Integrated. The NSCS is on my short list but I would have to wait for a deal on one so I'm also considering the CS as an option.
Feedback on either would be appreciated.

I am a Blue Circle dealer and have heard the NSCS. With your existing speakers it NSCS would be a very nice match. BC gear always has a full, well rounded, musical sound that is very pleasing and real...but hey I am a dealer. Let's see what other folks think since I am a little biased

I have not heard the AVA gear otherwise I would provide my honest feedback on both brands.

Bryan

PhilNYC · « **Reply #2 on:** 3 Jan 2006, 12:49 am »

Quote from: jasonc

The NSCS is on my short list but I would have to wait for a deal on one so I'm also considering the CS as an option.

(another swarming BC dealer here...!)

A lot of the folks from the NY Audio Rave have heard the NSCS, so they can chime in with specific thoughts. The main thing I'll say is that there is a *big* performance difference between the NSCS and CS. The CS is an entry level integrated that can be nicely paired with efficient speakers (87db+) to give you good sound in a small room (I used to use mine in my home office). The NSCS is a serious piece of work that quite frankly has made it nearly impossible for me to sell BC's entry-level separates.

Hope this helps...

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #3 on:** 3 Jan 2006, 04:53 am »

Guess what ? I'm not a Blue Circle dealer.....

...but I have heard the NSCS intergrated. I heard it at Phil's summer rave. Build quality, sound quality top notch. Its compact, but excellent power...even compared to the larger BC amps. I can't comment on AVA...never heard any. But I would look into getting an audition listen...maybe someone can help you out with that. I can see why PFO gave it a Writers' Choice Award....

[/list:u]Chris

tianguis · « **Reply #4 on:** 3 Jan 2006, 03:15 pm »

Jason:
I'm currently auditioning a NSCS in my system (TacT RCS ->NSCS -> GMA Callistos). It is the most refined amp I've had in the system, including 300B's, 2A3's, 47 Labs Gaincard, Bel Canto S300, my own ICEpower amp and various Tripath amps.
It is slightly warmer sounding than the ICE or Tripath amps yet has even better detail. Bass response is superb and there is no "digititis" to mess up the highs. It projects more space in my room than I'm used to. The timbre of some instruments on recordings I know well is spooky good, better than I've ever heard. Wood is wood, brass is brass, skins are skins.
While I wouldn't call it compact

at 42 pounds, it's manageable in a rack. The build quality is aces.
I've heard some of the AVA gear, which I liked, but never directly compared it to BC gear.

Regards,
Larry Welsh

TomW16 · « **Reply #5 on:** 4 Jan 2006, 01:47 am »

Since nobody has heard the AVA equipment, I thought that I would chime in to say that my AVA 350EXR Fetvalve is an excellent sounding amplifier. It is dynamic and quick but not strident. It uses tubes but doesn't have a tuby sound. Because I own one, I am definitely biased.

Unfortunately, I have not heard the Blue Circle equipment so, like the other gentlemen who posted before me, I'm probably not the best to talk about comparisons.

Good luck in your search.

Tom

jasonc · « **Reply #6 on:** 4 Jan 2006, 03:37 am »

Thank you for your comments.
Regarding the BC and specifically the NSCS, how do you feel this amp handles rock music? I ask because from what I've read this amp seems to have a laid back signature, which I realize doesn't qualify it for not being good for rock but really just curious on what types of music you find this amp excels?
It's important the amp can grab me with a good range of music, which for me is not incredibly diverse but does sway from jazz to rock.
Thanks,
Jason

tianguis · « **Reply #7 on:** 4 Jan 2006, 01:55 pm »

Jason:

I wouldn't term the NSCS laid-back in its presentation. At first, it seemed so, but that's due to its slightly warmer sound compared to the amps I've been using lately. A/B between NSCS and my ICEpower amp (dual 250ASP monos) shows it to actually have better detail retrieval, bass and dynamics.
Does Queen qualify as rock?

If so, I've heard the best "Bohemian Rhapsody" with the NSCS: speed, slam, bass impact, tonal purity on the vocals and chorus. It deals extremely well with complex massing of instruments, classical guitar solos, male and female vocals, classical jazz.

Regards,
Larry Welsh

Hogg · « **Reply #8 on:** 4 Jan 2006, 06:12 pm »

Larry, a little off topic but how do you like the Green Mtn Callisto's? I believe you owned the Europa's before moving to the Callisto's. Any comments on the differences between the two speakers? Thanks.

Jim

tianguis · « **Reply #9 on:** 4 Jan 2006, 06:49 pm »

Jim:
I've now got about 150 hours on the Callistos. Right off the bat, they far outperformed the Europas in clarity, detail and bass extension. Two days ago, they bloomed and the sound is unreal. They gained considerably in bass extension, space and air. Spooky! The bass is a bit flabby on the bottom-bottom, but I expect that will tighten up a bit with more time. They measure flat to 20 Hz with no TacT room correction, which they shouldn't. I'm rolling them off a bit below 40 Hz until they're fully broken in. I haven't used my VMPS sub since I put them in the system. In a few words, actually Roy's, "they kick the Europa's butt". I suspect, given their shape, they considerably outperform the Super Europas which use the same drivers.

Larry

jasonc · « **Reply #10 on:** 5 Jan 2006, 12:54 am »

Quote from: tianguis

Jason:

I wouldn't term the NSCS laid-back in its presentation. At first, it seemed so, but that's due to its slightly warmer sound compared to the amps I've been using lately. A/B between NSCS and my ICEpower amp (dual 250ASP monos) shows it to actually have better detail retrieval, bass and dynamics.
Does Queen qualify as rock? If so, I've heard the best "Bohemian Rhapsody" with the NSCS: speed, slam, bass impact, tonal purity on the vocals and chorus. It deals extremely well with compl ...

Sounds good, thanks Larry!