They have just started shipping out late last week, so it will be a bit of time before any user feedback will be available and not everyone shares their opinions online. I am writing my opinions of this amp, somewhat biased it might seem but most will confirm I usually get it right. Comparing this amp to anything NAD would be like comparing a new Corvette to a Malibu if you catch my drift. Nothing wrong with NAD amps if you compare them against big box store solid state offerings, but this tube amp is just in a completely different league.
You likely won't need a sub, unless your speakers just don't do 45 hz or so. If your sub has speaker terminal inputs that is my preferred way to to do subs.
Here is my draft initial impressions of the TC5, Rachel might tone it down a bit before it goes on the product page:
I had a chance a few days ago when I walked into the showroom to see and listen to the new Psvane TC5, KT120 tube amp. Rachel was quite excited by it and as soon as I saw it I felt the old excitement coming back of checking out a new piece of gear. Solid State DACs don't get me very excited, now matter how good they are and that is about all that has been new for the past year or so. A new tube amp always get my attention, but a new tube type to try, heaven
First impressions are visual and it is a stunning amp to look at and ranks up there with one of the best looking packages at any price. This will make many other brands offerings look cheap and or gimmicky by comparison. The product page pictures give an idea of what it looks like, but once seen in person you will understand.
Rachel says it has about 4 hours on it so far, so I fire her up up, dead silence thru the horns at half volume on the volume control, which is likely close to rated power, nice. I'm pretty sure Psavane is giving them 50 hours in the factory as per our ongoing instructions, but will double check.Rachel has the interior pics show the typical Psavane (and prior to, Shuguang) point to point layout that again makes many competitors look incompetent.
I put on an old showroom demo cd and can only guess my jaw had dropped into my lap, the power on tap was obvious with how it controlled the speakers (ShengYa V-218), the depth of the bass can only only be describes as AudioPhile Balls
, the imaging is spooky, instruments just stayed in their place as if they were glued there. Soundstage was accurate but time will be needed for the TC5 to open up, same with tonal balance, with the mids being a bit forward (hey, going thru horns too).
I listened to various pieces of music for over an hour, a first for me since being diagnosed with cancer over a year ago. I was glued to the chair. Being able to play with this kind of high quality tube power was like taking the latest performance Jaguar for a test drive without the the salesman present
It doesn't matter what your tube amp arsenal is, this will compliment or replace most of them is my guess, this amp is that good. If you run SS amps because you think tubes can't drive your speakers or you need big volume, then this is the tube amp for you to consider. I will continue to evaluate the TC5 and report when big changes occur.
What a great amp !
Cheers,
Ian