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REVIEW: SAR Labs MOS 400 Amplifier (SS)

Model: MOS 400
Category: Amplifier (SS)
Suggested Retail Price: $5000
Description: 200 Watts per channel, doubles down to 1 ohm.
Manufacturer URL: Not Available

Review by Joe Garelli on February 23, 2010 at 08:49:34
IP Address: 70.51.123.29		Add Your Review
for the MOS 400

Perhaps the best kept secret in all high end audio. The MOS 400 is a hand built unit designed and manufactured by Walter Romanyshyn at the rate of two per month. The unit is a true dual-mono and is rated at 200 watts per channel doubling down to 1 ohm. Walter says he has never had an amp returned for repair in all his years doing this. I currently run a Pass Labs X350.5 and AQ Hurricane and only picked up the SAR Labs because of posts I'd read over the years on certain audio websites.
I have been an audiophile for over 30 years and have owned MANY amps over the years but none has ever been such a revelation as the SAR Labs.
The manufacturer's goal was to make a solid state amp that is virtually indistinguishable from a tube amp and on this note I think he has failed.
The amp combines the strengths of tube amps, sweetness, huge soundstage musical rightness but with the tight, deep well defined bass and absolute see-through transparency of solid state. So by "failing" to completely emulate a tube amp to my ears SAR has created the best and most well rounded amp I have ever had the pleasure of owning.
It's rather spartan looks will not impress your audiophile friends but once they sit down to listen the smile on their face will say it all.
If this amp were sold in a jewel-like sculpted case with industrial good looks I have no doubt it could easily sell for $15,000 but thankfully this is one piece of kit every audiophile can afford.

Product Weakness: Utilitarian and bland looks.
Product Strengths: Uncanny ability to communicate the full emotion of musical pieces

Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: Pass Labs X350.5, AQ Hurricane
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Audio Research REF3
Sources (CDP/Turntable): EMM Labs CDSA se
Speakers: Revel Salon 2, KEF 207/2, Chartwell LS3/5A
Cables/Interconnects: Various
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Pop, Classical, Folk.
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner


This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:
  Atma-Sphere Music Systems, Inc.  

Topic - REVIEW: SAR Labs MOS 400 Amplifier (SS) - JoeGarelli 08:49:34 02/23/10 (35)
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