Posted On: December 19, 2002 01:19:03 AM

Name: Rex
Email: nowmusic@bellsouth.net
Website: Almost Music

Message: Hi Guys,

I got the amp plugged it in and it smoked then caught on fire.

Sorry, I should not do that to you ( LOL ). It not only works perfect but it sounds so good it makes me feel all warm and all fuzzy inside... it sounds very warm, smooth and balanced with lots of punch and dynamic range. Also much louder than I was expecting.
It is pushing a pair of EAW 15" 3-way Pro Studio Monitors. I picked a nice matched quad of 6CA7s made by EI in Yugoslavia. They are running just barely warm in the "high" setting. I also used the Electro Harmonix and liked them but the EIs seem to run cooler when pushed, not to say that the EH's were running hot, just looked a little hotter. The KT66s look cool and work fine in the low setting but they do not have the tone or punch I like. I did like the tone running a set of NOS 6L6s made in USA but I have not tried them in the high setting yet.
None of the guys here (including our amp repairman) have ever seen an amp that can offer such a large variety of tubes to pick from. Our amp tech showed me the dual wired transformer you used... pretty cool and a great idea.

Here is what I think I have settled on for tone and punch... 6CA7s running in the "High" mode and NOS USA made 12AX7s in the front.

This may very well be the last power amp I ever buy, as I know I will be pleased with it for life.

Not to sound like a "know it all" but I have spent 39 years in the music business. On both sides of the recording (in the studio recording records and at home listening to recordings) I have also been a Radio DJ and a touring musician and I have an FCC 1st class license for broadcasting and production. I have perfect pitch and (I think anyway) I have developed an ear for sound. So, when I tell you that you have hit the sweet spot with this product, you should take that as a professional comment on your capabilities.

Now that I have my amp I can safely tell you that I do not know how you make any money at the prices you charge. I am sure as your products catch on that you will be much better paid for your efforts. As for now, anyone getting product from you is most certainly getting a great HIFI value. I want to thank you for designing the amp in a way that covers all my quirky little needs and for all the patients that you showed. You really made sure I got the amp I expected and I appreciate it.

P.S. You could not wipe the smile off my face when I first turned it on and heard it.

BTW - I am using a DIY tube phono preamp into a hybrid line stage preamp then to your "Stereo 50" to listen to my vinyl and it sounds great!

Thanks from Rex at:
Almost Music
233 Riverside Dr.
Holly Hill, FL. 32117

Posted On: February 04, 2003 01:00:08 PM

Name: Rex
Email: nowmusic@bellsouth.net
 
Message: SOMEONE WROTE THIS TO ME:

> Hello
> I read your feedback in the Ideal Innovations site.
> I am thinking about buying one.
> Can you give me your
> personal opinion and views about this amp
> and company?
> Thanks
> Brian

I REPLIED:

Dear Brian,
When I ordered my amp it was like I had my own personal electronics specialists working just for me. To design the amp just as I wanted it, in all areas including tube types, sound or tone, price range and features. I was a little skeptical at first having not seen the company listed on the New York Stock Exchange, (you know what I mean) but this turned out to be a very big plus. You will not get this type of assistance and consideration from any big company and these guys really know valve amps. I was shocked by how concerned they were that I get the sound I wanted from the amp, they even new that with me being a musician I would have a soft spot in my ears for the sound of the 6L6 family of output tubes (most guitar amps use 6L6). They made the amp so it could use 6L6 type tubes but also recommended that I try the EL34s or 6CA7s and made the amp where it could be switched to use them also. I am glad they did because they converted me... I like the 6CA7s better than the 6L6 but I can still use either or even others in this one amplifier.
The communication was fantastic and the experience with Ideal Innovations was as good as it gets, but the important thing is the end product and as I am sure you can tell by now, I could not be happier with it! What a great amp at a great price. If I sound like an advertisement for them, it is because I really am that pleased with the personal touch and products from them and would gladly promote their products for free. My last words... Get yours before they get too big!!!

Thanks from Rex at:
Almost Music
233 Riverside Dr.
Holly Hill, FL. 32117