I'm hoping the amp 7 is an improvement over my Pioneer SX-D7000 receiver. I'll be running the amp with a Yamaha A-50 preamp.

I wanted to go with a tube amp or SS/Tube combination, but can't afford it right now. Jumped on the amp 7 for $250 on ebay (first thing I ever bought from them).

It's still in transit. I'm having second thoughts about my rash decision.

Do any of you think it will at least better the sound of the Pioneer?

thanks,
Rick

What was it you didn't like about how they sounded using the Pioneer?

My experience with AudioSource amps has been "OK" nothing to write home about but OK. There shouldn't be a night and day difference unless you were having issues with one or the other. . .

I always liked high damping amps on Fort'e speakers. My friend had Fort'e speakers when I had my Cornwalls. Both of us used 565 Adcom mono blocks to drive them. In my case I went from a Sony ES amp to the Adcom and it was 'night and day' difference for the better.

The big Adcom was much smoother and tighter sounding for lack of a better word.

Everyone is after me to use Tubes on my LaScalas but I think an Adcom GFA-545II is in my future. One that has been modded with a "Good Sound" kit. . .

I just want something different for a change. Call it "AK disease". Even if it's not an improvement I think it's fun to switch stuff around occasionally. I'll probably psyche myself into thinking it's a big improvement.

I don't go to stereo stores any more to audition gear like I used to 25 - 30 years ago. Pretty much had the same stuff for 30+ years and was content.

The Klipshes made my Pioneer sound better. Redboy's Olsen tube amp made them sound clearer and had better seperation, but not enough volume or bass. I liked that sound though. Then I tried an SI T-amp, and it was also 'ear opening'.

So I thought the AudioSource might be a good compromise between Tube and Tripath. I want that soundstage I heard with those other amps, and the sizzle of a ride cymbal, etc. With heavy bass and a lot of volume at times. With all the knobs set to 'flat'.

Tell me about Adcom. Are you talking SS? Is it in the McIntosh league? Mac is what I'm shooting for in the long run, but if I can get similar sounding gear for a fraction of that cost, I'll try it.

Thanks, gyusher,

Sincerely,
Rick

Cableguy brought his Audiosource amp 7 to a little gathering at HomerJSimpsons house of speakers last month and we had a little shootout using it to power some Cornwalls and Urizens LaScala's. All in attendance thought highly of it. Cableguy just raves about it.

Cableguy brought his Audiosource amp 7 to a little gathering at HomerJSimpsons house of speakers last month and we had a little shootout using it to power some Cornwalls and Urizens LaScala's. All in attendance thought highly of it. Cableguy just raves about it.

Thanks, macaltec. The tension is easing off somewhat. I think this will be the first time I ever bought an amp/receiver without listening to it first.

Rick

I've owned that amp for about 8 months, I works and sounds pretty good. It was used as the main amp while my Hafler was getting modded, And was a good match to my Pioneer speakers, It still drives the surround pair, It gets used hard every day, So far, So good.

:banana:I got it today about 7:15 pm. I missed the FedEx guy yesterday, so I kept an eye out for him. Didn't expect it so soon.

It was perfect timing as I'll be out of town for the next 3 days to attend my niece's wedding in Toledo. Otherwise I'd have to schlepp over to the FedEx store in bumper to bumper gridlock.

It arrived in physically perfect shape. It was double-boxed, but all the foam peanuts ended up on one side. Only one ding in the outer box. The inner box was pristine. Thank you, FedEx.

I don't have time to hook it up today since I'm packing for the trip. Damn, wish I was home last nite when FedEx came! But I had time to read the owner's manual.

Could any of you AKers verify this: Can I hook it up without a preamp? I've had an amp/preamp and I've never used one without the other. Didn't know it could be done any other way. But when I got my SI T-Amp I hooked the speakers directly to it, along with a source.

Do the bigger amps work the same way? I'm thinking they do. The T-Amp merely being a miniature version of a power amp. But I'd have no control over tone controls or sources. The speakers would have a totally flat input.

Thanks in advance....I may need to start another thread to get answers, but I'll start here.

Rick

It's been a few weeks now since I hooked up the Amp 7. I'm running it through my ADC Mark III equalizer. No dedicated preamp. I use a Sony CDP hooked to the Tape In jacks.

For the first week all I did was play CD after CD through the amp for a break-in period. Probably put about 100 hours on it before I turned up the volume to the levels I usually enjoy. Occasionally I'd listen to the sound during the break-in period. I was skeptical for the first 10-20 hours, but after that I heard a distinct improvement.

By Friday ('Listening Nite in the ManShun') it sounded fantastic! The experience was MUCH better than I had expected it to be. Didn't have any friends over that nite so I sat there until 2am (IIRC) listening to various genres over the Fortes. My humble little system was absolutely heavenly! I am SO ape over that Amp 7 I just can't explain it. It's the only new piece I've bought in years (other than CD and MD players). It is legions ahead of the Pioneer.

I like to listen to music at a realistic level. The Pioneer was really good. But I got tired of running it at full output all the time. The AudioSource sounds clearer and louder at 50W. I don't know why.

I'm still hoping to snatch a McIntosh one of these days, but meanwhile the stereo I have nowdays (since AK) has never sounded as clear, as wide, as full, as deep, accurate, spacious, detailed, complete, and incredible.

And it's only a modest 'mid-fi' system.

The gear/setups I've seen on AK must be out of this world!!

Thanks, guys, for your feedback and support! :thmbsp: :yes:

Forgot to mention I also use a Pioneer RG-2 in the loop.

Rick