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Overall Rating:  (5/5) |
Amplifier Comparisons: |
Bel Canto EVO 200.2 - $2,495.00
In comparison to my amp, the PS Audio HCA-2 is: Out of the Ballpark!
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VAC Tube Amp
In comparison to my amp, the PS Audio HCA-2 is: Very Close
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Reviewer’s Quote:
“This amp is killer. It is tube like in some ways and not in others. It is very transparent.
Last night I was listening to a CD and it felt like I was sitting listening to a live performance. The mid bass is unbelievable.
I am hearing details in bass that I have not heard before. The movie sound track CD "Gladiator" song 3 "The Battle" is unbelievable on the HCA-2. I heard details that I did not hear with the EVO" |
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| Overall Rating: (5/5) |
Amplifier Comparisons: |
Classe CA201 - $3,000.00
In comparison to my amp, the PS Audio HCA-2 is: Way Better
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Chord SPM600 - $3,300.00
In comparison to my amp, the PS Audio HCA-2 is: Way Better
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Belles 150A - $1,500.00
In comparison to my amp, the PS Audio HCA-2 is: Out of the Ballpark!
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Reviewer’s Quote:
“The amp is here. It arrived in good shape and I hooked it up without much trouble. Holy #@$%&*)! I had no idea there would be such a significant difference!
I took the HCA-2 to my friend Scott's house. There we listened to
the Triangle Celius and Vandersteen IIce signatures.
The first time I heard the Triangle speakers I didn't like them. I couldn't understand what Sam Tellig was so excited about. However, powered by the HCA-2 the speakers were transformed. I was amazed at the difference. A week ago I didn't like them and now they were amazing.
" |
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| Overall Rating: (5/5) |
Amplifier Comparisons: |
Adcom GFA 555MKII - $900.00
In comparison to my amp, the PS Audio HCA-2 is: Way Better
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Reviewer’s Quote:
“Even more impressive was the mid-bass response. IT IS AS ADVERTISED! Mid-bass was strong yet detailed, tuneful, and not bloated. This eliminated the mid-bass leanness that can occur at times in my system.
One of the more amazing things about this amplifier is that my preamp
ran considerably warmer than did the HCA-2. Even at moderately loud listening levels I
could just barely feel some warmth when placing my hand on top of the
amplifier cover. And please note that this amplifier will play loud.
This is the coolest amplifier I have ever had any experience with. Pun intended.
I can honestly say that the HCA-1 is the best amplifier I have heard for its modest asking price" |
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| Overall Rating: (5/5) |
Amplifier Comparisons: |
Sonic Frontiers Power 2 - $5,000.00
In comparison to my amp, the PS Audio HCA-2 is: Very Close
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Reviewer’s Quote:
“This amp has some BALLS!
No matter how I increased the volume, there was no strain on this amp whatsoever. Very tight sounding mid-bass.
" |
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| Overall Rating: (5/5) |
Amplifier Comparisons: |
Balanced Audio Technology VK-200 - $3,400.00
In comparison to my amp, the PS Audio HCA-2 is: Very Close
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Reviewer’s Quote:
“I've got to say that my doubts concerning so-called switching amplifiers have been put to rest, at least as far as the PS audio "Hybrid Class A" amplifier (HCA-2) is concerned. I did not think that something so efficient could be so musical, accurate, powerful and realistic.
I know when to turn down the BAT because the dynamic range stops increasing, I can hear the levels peg, and the treble gets mushy. I could not get the equivalent to happen with the HCA-2.
The impression I am taking away from this experience is that the HCA-2 does things no other amplifier can do, it runs efficiently, plays loudly, cleanly and with musical integrity.
It is better in some respects than my BAT VK-200, which is almost twice the price of the HCA-2, is much bigger and generates a lot of heat." |
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| Overall Rating: (5/5) |
Amplifier Comparisons: |
Pass Labs Aleph 2 monoblocks - $6,800.00
In comparison to my amp, the PS Audio HCA-2 is: Very Close
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Hafler XL-280 - $600.00
In comparison to my amp, the PS Audio HCA-2 is: Way Better
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Reviewer’s Quote:
“The first 9 CD's gave a good idea of the sound qualities of the HCA-2. The amp is very dynamic sounding with the VR-8's. Transients are well defined. Did not run into clipping with the unit at any reasonable level in my room.
A major comment is that the amp sounds very holistic in its presentation of music. The sound staging is very good.
The HCA-2 has better control of the LF end than the Aleph 2's. Double bass, very large drums and pipe organ had better LF definition with the HCA-2. This gives a very nice foundation to the music, as the recording venue is more apparent." |
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| Overall Rating: (5/5) |
Amplifier Comparisons: |
Pass Labs Aleph 2 monoblocks - $6,800.00
In comparison to my amp, the PS Audio HCA-2 is: Very Close
|
Hafler XL-280 - $600.00
In comparison to my amp, the PS Audio HCA-2 is: Way Better
|
Reviewer’s Quote:
“The first 9 CD's gave a good idea of the sound qualities of the HCA-2. The amp is very dynamic sounding with the VR-8's. Transients are well defined. Did not run into clipping with the unit at any reasonable level in my room.
A major comment is that the amp sounds very holistic in its presentation of music. The sound staging is very good.
The HCA-2 has better control of the LF end than the Aleph 2's. Double bass, very large drums and pipe organ had better LF definition with the HCA-2. This gives a very nice foundation to the music, as the recording venue is more apparent." |
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| Overall Rating: (5/5) |
Amplifier Comparisons: |
Threshold T400 - $5,000.00
In comparison to my amp, the PS Audio HCA-2 is: Better
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Reviewer’s Quote:
“On initial listening to very familiar and complex music--Bach B minor mass-- the results were---I hate to use the word amazing, but it is sweet (tubes), detailed (transistors), deep and wide soundstage.
For my Threshold, which was a class A Stereophile amp, to sound anywhere near this good it would have to be on a year and hot enough to cause a fire.
This thing is ice cold and I can keep the electric company from repossessing my house. A sweet switching amp? Almost an oxymoron." |
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