Tubes Asylum: REVIEW: Antique Sound Lab Wave DT (AV-8) Amplifier (Tube) by teklefty

Model:	Wave DT (AV-8)
Category:	Amplifier (Tube)
Suggested Retail Price:	$99 - 120
Description:	8wpc Monoblock
Manufacturer URL:	Antique Sound Lab
Manufacturer URL:	Antique Sound Lab

Review by teklefty ( A ) on February 09, 2002 at 10:47:21
IP Address: 64.218.163.84

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for the Wave DT (AV-8)

I now have these amplifiers powering a low-fi Sony CMT-EX1 compact system. Radioshack gold interconnects, solid copper RS magnet wire. I'm pleased with the sound: ample power in my largish apartment (20' x 20' x 8' or 7m x 7m x 2.5m), tonally accurate, musically involving. Bass is surprisingly authoritative, transients are quick, decent soundstaging. Most importantly, I can quit thinking about hardware when good music is wafting through the air. I've owned Maggies, Adcoms, CAL, Kyocera in the past, and plan on getting Maggie 1.6's or 3.6R's, and something on the order of used Pass Aleph 2's or new Bel Canto Evo's, and I don't know what else. My current combination is much more satisfying than I could have hoped for, so upgrading is not a compelling issue now. One other thing: I have the amps fed by the headphone jack--how low-fi can you get?
Construction quality is good, but the execution was flawed: transformer tabs were bent, thus forcing the transformers to sit cock-eyed on the chassis. I whipped out the screwdriver and easily fixed that problem. I will experiment with tweaks and high efficiency speakers later; I'm in no hurry as I really find the sound easy on the ears. A reviewer (in Listener?) claimed that these amps were "really, really light." They're 6.5 pounds (3 kg), and they feel plenty hefty for their size. Nice and solid.
I'm going to buy at least one more pair. I think these amps would be great for bi-amping the right speakers.

Product Weakness: Crappy quality control. Neighbors hate me. Pretty dang ugly transformers, though the units look very nice when covered.
Product Strengths: The Waves hit my sweet spot musically--they are just plain satisfying; good bass; decent resolution (all of this within the context of substandard ancillary equipment!). Velvety tube sound, but not boring either. Cheap!

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	ASL Wave AV-8 monoblocks
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Sony CMT-EX1
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Sony CMT-EX1
Speakers:	Sony CMT-EX1
Cables/Interconnects:	Shitshack
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	You name it . . .
Room Size (LxWxH):	20 x 20 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments:	carpeted floor, bong
Time Period/Length of Audition:	one month
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Ha! I should know better, as I work for an electric utility.
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Crappy quality control. Neighbors hate me. Pretty dang ugly transformers, though the units look very nice when covered.
Product Strengths:	The Waves hit my sweet spot musically--they are just plain satisfying; good bass; decent resolution (all of this within the context of substandard ancillary equipment!). Velvety tube sound, but not boring either. Cheap!