As the owner of the 4ch UcD180 amp in the pictures, thought I'd chime in with some positive feedback on the unit.
I bought this as a side and rear surround channel amp for an in-progress 7.1 system to supplement an Odyssey Stratos 3 channel amp. Right now the system is two Maggie 1.6QRs and a pair of MGMC1's, to which I am soon adding a CC3 and either another pair of MGMC1's or a pair of MMG's, undecided at the moment.
Obviously, though, I had the need to try it out on 2 channel running the 1.6s before relegating it to surround work.
Mistake. Now I am figuring out how to swing 3 more channels of UcD power for the front 3.
I have had the Stratos for about 4 years now, and have been running a pair of MMG's up until Memorial day, when I got the 1.6's. It's the standard Stratos with the cap upgrade. Always been completely happy with it. I didn't know whether to expect any difference, but was really just hoping the Exodus UcD amp would be a close enough match performance wise to blend in with the system.
After finally getting the thing into my rack last weekend, I spent several hours switching back and forth between the two. The only other change in the system was a pair of outlaw PCA ICs go to the Odyssey, while I used homemade Canare starquad L-4E6S ICs with Canare RCAs on one end and Kevin's XLR's on the other. I would not expect either of these cables to have a signficant effect on the system (both the same length), but factor that in to your opinion.
Anyway, I listed to Nickel Creek on 2 ch SACD through most of the album a couple of times at varying volume levels with each amp. With the Exodus, the high end was cleaner, losing a sibilance in vocals, percussion and the like that I had not really been aware of before. The sound seemed a bit more dynamic to me as well. The difference was not huge, but it was enough added enjoyment of the sound for me to start plotting another purchase.
Things to consider:
My system is not the most revealing, Sony SCD 555ES SACD player, Outlaw 950 (analog bypass used), but I have a balanced power unit and really low noise floor, my room is set up decently (good placement on the speakers, thick wool rug).
Stratos was switched off briefly when switching amps. Klaus is pretty adamant that the amp needs to be warmed up to sound its best. But I have not noticed a difference in the few days since hooking back up to the Stratos.
Stratos is 260W into the 4 ohm load of the 1.6's, while the UcD is 180.
Anyway, I am absolutely and completely pleased with the purchase. Build quality is great. Kevin is (as you probably can already tell) extremely easy and pleasant to deal with. The amp was triple (!) boxed so the UPS chain of destruction could not have their way with it.
Also, I of course popped the thing open to check out the innards, and have to compliment the well thought out layout and design of Kevin's modular system as well. I deal with manufactured control boxes and such quite frequently and think his design is very good. Building this from a kit would seem to be very straight forward for all but the most large thumbed. I will probably build my next one myself, just knew at this point my long tradition of unfinished projects would have meant this would not have happened this summer if I'd gone that route.
Anyway, nothing but positive feelings here.
BB
