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REVIEW: Great American Sound Son of Ampzilla Amplifier (SS)

74.110.189.129


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Model: Son of Ampzilla
Category: Amplifier (SS)
Suggested Retail Price: unknown
Description: Solid State 2 channel amplifier 80 watts
Manufacturer URL: Not Available

Review by driver on August 11, 2013 at 02:28:05
IP Address: 74.110.189.129
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This is going to be a 2 or 3 part review, mostly because I had major back surgery not that long ago & simply haven't had a chance to do what I would consider a proper review. I'm just hanging around the house looking for things to do & figured, why not start a review? The main thing I want to get out there is there are several folks who repair these, so it's not hit or miss if you pick one up somewhere wondering if it'll work. My full intention on making this purchase (ebay) was to get Mike Bettinger to do the Reference rebuild w/J-Fets & even add a few more goodies I had.

Back in the 70's we always went to this one fellow's place 'cause he had a very nice system, which included a bigger GAS amp and I always really enjoyed that system, It's not like I was fixated on having to get one but since Mike is a local fellow, it seemed like a logical move once I got passed playing with $10k amps to enjoy the music again!

I knew some of Mike's history & learned a bunch more & just want to say you couldn't meet a nicer fellow who really knows his stuff. He told me a bunch of stories about some of the places he's worked, things he's designed, how his hobby turned into a business-so I felt extremely comfortable having him work on the amp.

I sold off a Primare integrated before this system, so can't do an amp to amp comparison but will use a passive vs. the VAC Auricle I have to try & focus on the amp.

Playing some of my well know "test tracks" I don't hear anything that bothers me. I prefer my music on the warm side of neutral (but not dripping w/honey) and have a hard time listening to anything bright, edgy, analytical, dry, etc. At the same time I want to hear definition in the lower registers, as there are so many good bassists whose higher notes simply get lost in the mix & all you get is oatmeal mixed w/a little brown sugar.

I also have to admit my system is not optimally set up but it's within a few inches of where it needs to be. It's really kinda funny trying to get your family members to move something 1/2" without them getting extremely bent out of shape!

Great tone, nice separation, very good placement-all the attributes I want are right there. The sound stage isn't as wide as I think it should be but I'm having some minor placement issues & both the GAS & VAC have less than 50 hrs. playing time. I had the VAC reworked at the same time (but not a total rebuild) so I could start out with a "new" system, so will eventually get things sorted out.

I know I haven't said much about what this amp really does but even at this early stage there is something very special about the quality & tone that I never really got from most of the gear I've owned or had for extended auditions. The Primare I sold was a really nice piece but even taking into consideration the shortness of audio memory, the GAS delivers the music not just to you but for you.

I really like this amp and once everything is up & running & fully tested (including myself!) I will deliver a much more detailed account.

I will post Mike's website so I don't add more clutter to what I've written, plus you can read in detail what he does. I also took some pics of most of what he removed from the boards, as he completely strips them & repopulates.

Here is Mike's website: http://www.gasaudio.net/

I don't know where to post pics? Maybe I'll just put them in my personal section.


Product Weakness: Haven't had long enough to discover any.
Product Strengths: So far, everything has been very nice.


Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: amplifier
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): VAC Auricle
Sources (CDP/Turntable): modified Rotel
Speakers: modified Cygnett MkII
Cables/Interconnects: DIY except for Cardas Cross w/compression die spades
Music Used (Genre/Selections): A bunch-don't even know what you call some of this stuff
Room Size (LxWxH): 23 x 11.5 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments: bass traps, sound panels behind sytem, fully carpeted, large drapes on long wall, plants & animails
Time Period/Length of Audition: 2 months off & on
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): modified Brickwall
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner




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Topic - REVIEW: Great American Sound Son of Ampzilla Amplifier (SS) - driver 02:28:05 08/11/13 ( 6)