I have been using using an Insight+ EC pre-amp and Insight 440 amp for 20 months and have always been amazed at their musicality. The AVA electronics are a great match with my Von Schweikert VR2's which, with their 25 Hz response, really showcase the 440's strong tight low end. But (there is always a but) lately I had a feeling the high end was not as extended or sweet as I would like it. Frank's announcement of a + upgrade for his amplifiers peaked my interest. The + upgrade for the original Insight pre-amp made a noticeable change with a more full bodied sound so I knew another + upgrade would tweak the amp in a meaningful way.
Shipping from Tucson to Minnesota and back is about $100 so the + upgrade tweak would cost me $300, a bit of a gulp, but then Frank mentioned the + upgrade was free with a major upgrade so I figured why not get the double die option too. I timed the upgrade to coincide with an early summer vacation so I only had to listen to an old amp for a (painful) week, all amplifiers really don't sound the same. I have been listening to the new Insight+ Double 440 for a few days and like what I hear.
Yes, the highs are clearer with a sweeter top end. The bells at the beginning of "The Hunt" on Mickey Hart's Planet Drum hang in the air and are clear and crisp, the bass from the large drum on "Temple Caves" roll across the floor and rattle my windows.
Exploded View by Steve Tibbetts (on vinyl) is very well recorded. Tibbetts' angular electric guitar accompanies congas, tabla, steel drums, and percussion. The sharp precise hits on the tabla is reproduced perfectly. A tour-de-force in playing, this album would also have the "clear out the room" ability at an audio show.
Miles_Gurtu is a blast to play loud, there is a lot going on and each instrument has it's own space, the stand up bass has is close miked and has great tone and power. Some of the electronic sounds has a bit of grunge mixed in which will make you think you blown a tweeter the first time you hear it.
Piccolo by the Ron Carter Quartet (on vinyl) was recorded at Sweet Basil in New York City and is one of the best live recordings of acoustic instruments I have. The interplay of Carter's piccolo bass and Buster William's bass is clearly heard, with the upgrade it is easier to follow the bass lines on both instruments at the same time. Music is more dynamic with the double die upgrade, when Ron Carter plucks the base strings those notes forcefully jump out, just as he intended.
The music really is more transparent with the + upgrade, subtle details like how a drum sound changes as it decays are clearer, each instrument seems to have a bit more space around it. Perhaps there is a bit more sound stage depth too, but that is dependent on the recording, the cave on the opening cut of Andreas Vollenweider's Caverna Magica is huge. Bass is slightly tighter, more where it should be, a little lower, a little more controlled. Not that the original 440 has bad or lumpy bass, it has excellent bass, the + upgrade just makes it better.
The double die + upgrade takes a great amp and transforms it into a world class amp. The Insight+ Double 440 is destined to be a true classic in amp design.
Coming up later this summer: A shoot out with one of the first Insight 440H double amps and my 440+ double along with a comparison of the Insight phono stage and the Hagerman Cornet2 tube phono pre-amp - stay tuned.
Wayne
