Day 3 SW51+
If you are unfamiliar with this amp, it is exclusive to SBAF, Where it excels for me is space and separation. It does do more, it is a set tube amp with transformers vs the OTL Eddie Current Zana Deux S. Generally lauded for it’s simple direct design by those who understand amp design.
Stormy Monday
More sense of a live performance, no area is overdone, you might say it is all gently laid out and clear, typical for the amp. Empy likes this amp.
Cheers to The Fall
Again same results. Diva is a diva,percussion bass, guitar, chorus is well expressed and wide. best of the bunch on that score. Nothing to complain about. This song is about the champion singing though and the instruments are simple and allow her to shine.
Solomon Sang
Diva of a different nature. capable of incredible subtle nuance and expression in a 3 octave range. Master of her instrument and well on display here. The sound? Why does it excel? For this song to sound it’s best, all of the subtleties from the singer and the band need to be heard. They play for each other around the singer and are all important.
Takeaway? “Nothing lives forever but the love that bears your name.” What a complete and sweet presentation.
Blues In Advance
Same story, live jazz club, plenty of space, punchy and delicate as needed, excellent acoustic bass, no nasties.
Hilary Hahn 1
Delicate strings, large ochestra, lot’s of low level detial, varying volumes well presented defining space, better staging and placement with this amp for this hp. Fully enjoyable.
Falling Down
Staging and separation , immediately apparent. absolutely nothing in your face but it is all there, presented for your consideration.
These Days
Added reverb present but not as noticeable as the other 2 amps. This amp may be a tiny bit bass lite but the Empy presents it well as bass is a strength.
Photograph
Nothing to complain about, light chimes all present and accounted for, vocals have no nasties and are well expressed. Again a good pairing. Piano has room to to present itself and it’s decay.
Tower of Song
Best bass of the punch. Any vocal smoothing seems to be gone, gravel is all back, maybe a hint of smoothness. Live recordings are benefitting from the amp. Natural spaciousness is undisturbed. I have heard more of the room but that is with a different dac.
Hilary Hahn 2
This was a $1 purchase from a thrift shop, never heard of her but she sure was cute which was a good thing as this is an excellent recording and she is exceptionally talented,obvious no matter what playback chain is in use. More string texture is being heard. Orchestra well spaced.
North Country
The spaciousness of the amp and HP are clear. Nothing becomes obscured, no matter how busy it gets. I would not call this a black background and a black background is not all that if it is not a revealing background and that is what this amp provides. Evident in this playback, decays all present. The cheapest amp may be the best amp but the ZDS and VO are a bit of magic, so horses for courses.
Storms On The Ocean
Typically needs a volume increase when it shows up but not with this amp. Sometimes lower volume is just as audible and preferable. No complaints still sweet and well resolved. Empy is a fine choice for this song
One Step Up
Intro bass is best yet, synergy. Vocals are fine and may also be most preferable. Detailed and again spacious atmosphere.
Let It Grow
Exhalations while singing are audible. Sweet presentation.
The Black Amp is in town
Blues In Advance - Clifford Jordan Quartet
And this is where the tour ends. I will let the amp run for a day with music playing not not with the Empy.
Summary:
Why do I listen to headphones? 99% of the time music over speakers does not bother anyone else. So I listen to hear what I am missing with speakers. Detail, subleties, no outside disturbances. I have probably overdone it with headphones. Thinking of thinning the herd.
If all I had was Empy and a SW51+, I could not complain, much.
Having heard the synergy of the VO with ZDS, though…