eAR 1001 to power a pair of the Revel Ultima Salon speakers
eAR 202 to surround
Mr. WS Lam, Hong Kong
Mr. WS. Lam wrote:
Recently, I purchased a pair of Acoustic Reality eAR1001. Initially, I wanted them to replace my old Proceed AMP3 to drive my surround speakers. I did not think they would be worthy to compete against my good old trusted Mark Levinson No.33H. The 33H weighs 240lbs each, and once power on (with no music playing), consume a whopping 1000W (500W each monoblock). Given it's a Class A/B design, it's only about 25% to 30% efficient, meaning most of that 1000W is turned into heat. So as much as it is an amplifier, they also double as heaters (I am not kidding). Out of curiosity, I connected my DCC2 to the eAR1001 to drive my Revel Ultima Salon speakers. I hit play on my SB3 and my jaw dropped. My first reaction of one of disbelief. I was expecting the eAR1001 to sound a lot worse then the 33H. But what came out of the Salon was absolutely mind boggling. The differences were dramatic. I do not want to be the typical audio reviewers who resort to hyperbole to make their readers excited about a new component. But these tiny 10 lbs amplifiers blow my mind. The first thing one would notice is the bass. The eAR1001 has stronger, more defined, and 'easier to follow' bass. They are weighty, tuneful, and the transient attacks are far superior to the 33H. What about the mids? Well, the 33H was always amazing with the mids, but the eAR1001 are better. Images are more focused, vocals sound so natural and open. Amazing. And the highs? Like distilled-water...crystal clear... and not a hint of harshness in the upper midrange either. What is going on?!
eAR Master One and eAR 202:
Mr. Choy, Hong Kong
Mr. Choy wrote:
I would recommend the eAR Master One.
U guys only talk about the eAR power amps, but I think the essence of Aacoustic Reality is eAR Master One.
Mine is a combo of eAR 202 and eAR Master One.