SET Asylum: REVIEW: Past Audio M7B Amplifier (Tube) by Mangelin

Model:	M7B
Category:	Amplifier (Tube)
Suggested Retail Price:	$5000
Description:	SET w. 2x300B and 2x6550
Manufacturer URL:	Past Audio
Model Picture:	View

Review by Mangelin on August 12, 2001 at 10:38:32
IP Address: 194.165.225.124

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for the M7B

Having owned this piece of art for the past 8 months, i could not be more satisfied. I have owned quite a few amplifiers over the last ten years, but none of them have managed to capture my heart and ears like the M7B.
"Past Audio M7B" is a tremendous upgrade to any High-End system, no matter what the previous equipment was; believe me - it will happily replace many US$10000+ competitors out there.
Together with as low-efficient speakers as the Magnepan MG1.6 (85dbW), it will sing louder and with more authority than SS-amps of 100W+.
Give them a pair of 98dbW Klipsch, and you will turn your neighbours into enemies...
Of cause the sound will be better with better loudspeakers, but it is unbelievable how far into High-End they will take you with even quite cheap speakers.
No matter what source or speakers you connect, the M7B will not be the weak link in the chain. If you give them a pair of High-End speakers, the sound you hear will be the best these speakers can present; the M7B seem to always have an Ace up the sleeve...
My musical taste ranges from soft singing women to heavy metal, with some jazz and country&western in between.
Stacey Kent through a pair of Magnepan MG1.6 was a great way to see how well the M7B's handle "tough" loads; no hesitations at all, you can not overload these amps. Stacey Kent's voice has never been more lifelike than this.
AC/DC through a pair of Klipsch RF-3; i never thought that there were so many details in this musical genre - a new world was opened up in front of me!

Product Weakness: None worth mentioning!
Product Strengths: Does not put focus on anything special - it always present the music as it was intended too.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	M7B
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	None
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Harman Kardon HD760
Speakers:	Klipsch RF-3, Magnepan 1.6QRSE
Cables/Interconnects:	van den Hul M.C. 352, AudioQuest interconnect
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Jennifer Warnes, Chris Rea, Metallica
Room Size (LxWxH):	535cm x 356cm x 240cm
Room Comments/Treatments:	Ordinary livingroom with no added treatments.
Time Period/Length of Audition:	8 months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	None
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	None worth mentioning!
Product Strengths:	Does not put focus on anything special - it always present the music as it was intended too.