Been thinking of SS amps again, i havent heard the ASR Emiiter but the more reveiws i read and the shorter my list gets more roads lead back to the Emitter than most others in my price range $7-10k new or used. the Emitter I has enough power for my application, i dont think i need or want the battery supply of the exclusive. i like the fact i can ditch a preamp as i only use two sources max (currently just one). I'm driving joseph audo pulsars and quad 57's. i'm interested in hearing feedback from current and past users, if you had one then sold it what didnt you like, pitfalls, reliabilty issues, etc.
Been thinking of SS amps again, i havent heard the ASR Emiiter but the more reveiws i read and the shorter my list gets more roads lead back to the Emitter than most others in my price range $7-10k new or used. the Emitter I has enough power for my application, i dont think i need or want the battery supply of the exclusive. i like the fact i can ditch a preamp as i only use two sources max (currently just one). I'm driving joseph audo pulsars and quad 57's. i'm interested in hearing feedback from current and past users, if you had one then sold it what didnt you like, pitfalls, reliabilty issues, etc.
I reviewed the early unit and thought it was very nice back then. I don't know what changes have been incorporated into the newest models but the areas I thought it was a little short of ultimate included being a little soft in the upper octaves making it a little dark sounding and a little too smooth. Dynamics were another thing but I think some of my concerns were more related to at that time the unit really not having adequate gain for the cartridge I was using. That wouldn't and wasn't as much of an issue with digital IIRC.
I have been using an ASR Basis Exclusive phono stage for years. I believe it is circa 2005. I also believe the newest units have a slight circuit change, which is comprised mostly of a newer main chip. I inquired what the upgrade would cost from the importer and it was over $100 so I bought the chip myself and installed it for about $3. Let me say this. I have owned a great many products. Lots of ARC, Rowland, Krell, Pass, Levinson etc. I am now running a VTL 7.5 III preamp and Siegfried amps. No product, I repeat, no product, has given me more pleasure than the ASR phonostage. I think it's a killer. It replaced the ARC reference unit of the day and I have not looked back.
Look, audio gear falls in and out of favor with every new cover of every issue of TAS or Stereophile. To the astute consumer, there could very well be SOA gear lurking around from a few years ago that is every bit competitive with what is being reviewed today, but for one reason or other, has fallen out of favor (bad importer? distributor? etc?). I think this is the case with ASR. Their gear is stupendous and its no surprise that HP once raved about the phono stage. I think in many cases, you can grab an ASR piece of gear at a very affordable price and consider it a whopping purchase. In many ways, this is as good as solid state gets. Quiet as anything made. No AC line noise is half the key. Great design is the other. That nobody really carries this gear enthusiastically anymore is ASR's loss but your gain! They simply make great sounding; reliable as hell gear. I would think an Emitter I or II would be a perfect marriage with Quads. Everyone wants a solid state amp that doesn't sound like SS. Well, here you go! Let your ears be your guide.
Like Marty I own the Basis Exclusiv phono stage (2008 version). In conversation with the previous distributor he expressed a preference for the Emitter I over the II.
I don't think anyone questions the sonic qualities of the ASR gear. The reason they are not popular here is the fact that they are awkward to deal with - essentially an integrated amp split among a lot of boxes. Even the phonostage has a massive battery power supply connected by a thick umbilical cable.
I once asked a Stereophile reviewer about the Emitter. He said he would have made it his reference but as a reviewer it wasn't practical. If you can get past the peculiarities of the ASR concept I think you will get an incredible sounding bargain.
is there a huge difference between the battery and standard PS? im might get off the grid next year if we install solar panels, possibly making batteries/power regenerators a moot point.
I can only speak about the phono stage. The difference is obvious and profound. The battery power supply is so massive that there is no constriction of dynamics. I think the only way to run ASR gear is off the grid.
is there a huge difference between the battery and standard PS? im might get off the grid next year if we install solar panels, possibly making batteries/power regenerators a moot point.
I believe you would omit the greatest advantage of this gear if you don't use the battery! I have heard the I and it gets things right.I personnally use Audio Consulting MIPA, similar starting point..
I do not have any direct experience with it, but as an Integrated amp follower it is on my list making company with the Einstein, Acoustic Plan Sitar, Jadis DA88 and Gryphon Diablo.
Put the right AC/IC to open it up and you have a world class amp. The Stage 111 Minotaur cable on the ASR and Stage 111 Mingus Prime take the dark slow charactor away. It needs fast and extended cables. Also the Stillpoints Ultra SS help in this matter.
This amp takes time to get right and is not a plug and play amp. The battery is a must.
