Munich High-End 2018 Ron Report: NAT Magma New SE

Are sure you trust my opinions, I mean I’m a fan of Zu as well .
 
Andromeda, the Zus that measured poorly were the Essence w ribbon tweeter.
They never really gelled, were Sean’s only proper failure as a spkr designer.
I have the TOTL Definitions 4 w upgraded Lundahls and Duelunds.
Happy to give my opinion on Nat and why I feel it’s a fantastic choice for lots of different reasons.
So if you wanna know, just ask this lowly but totally content Zu owner.
 
Indeed it is.
 
I can’t really offer comparisons, that’s Ked’s bag.
I can just tell you what they do well.
Put it this way, I bought my cartridge which was demoed using the amps I have now.
I spent most of the demo asking the dealer how on Earth the sound I was hearing was so compelling.
For a variety of reasons I didn’t buy the amps then, chickened out and bought less remarkable alternatives, and regretted my decision for the next 2 years.
Not a day went by in that 2 years that I didn’t cast my mind back to that demo, and finally I relented and bought the NATs.
And four years into ownership I’ve not heard anything that remotely threatens that choice.
But if you want comparisons, our resident Air Miles collector can help.
 
Sure A.
1997 Roksan Caspian SS integrated amp
1999 Advantage SS integrated amp
2005 Hovland amps: HP200 tube pre/Radian SS power
2012 should have been the NATs, but settled on Audion: Quattro 4-chassis true dual mono tube pre/Black Shadow 30W 845 tube power (w Elrog tubes)
2015 NAT: Utopia tube pre/SE2SE 211 tube power using 1948 GE tubes.
 
Try Justin's Amperex 211 once. You will pay up for it.
 
Try Justin's Amperex 211 once. You will pay up for it.

He's not wrong the chances are they will be quite a bit better than the GEs in the NATs.

Anyway, one alternative GM 100 usage is as a lamp, as featured in the Tune Audio room. Lit as offered by Mr Tune as we chatted.

Cool. Er, no. Make that hot!:)

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Justin, I dare you to repeat that joke eye to eye w this tube.
No? I didn’t think so.
 
The SE2SE from Nat was voiced around the GE. I’m happy as is. But please, keep the suggestions coming. Only ones off limits are anything to do w Mooks.
 
The SE2SE from Nat was voiced around the GE. I’m happy as is. But please, keep the suggestions coming. Only ones off limits are anything to do w Mooks.

By someone else's ears in a completely different system.

That sort of claim always makes me smile.

Anyway the Amperex aren't flying over to your place by magic... and your amps are a pain to bias anyway, I think you said.

So repeat after me "the GEs are the best, the GEs are the best":)
 
Justin, from what I hear Dejan the designer is a maniac who listens to prog rock in the early hours.
If he voiced around GEs that’s good for me.
Any guy who creates an amp to sound good w Rush, Magma, Mahavishnu Orchestra, electric Miles D is top of the class.
And yes, the Nats are a bitch to bias.
So, “GEs are the best, GEs are the best” wash, rinse, dry, repeat.
 
I dont know, NAT is very good value for performance, I didnt feel the transmitters to be up to the level of the prestiges though if that is of any help. The prestiges were more neutral, threw a significantly larger stage, and imho had superior rendering of texture. Their predecessors, the Audio Sculpture Ultima’s ran at even higher voltages, 1.5 times the rated power output, and are tube rectified. There’s a pair up for sale but the refurbish cost will be considerable. I do have spare Sic Safco high voltage capacitors which I had to order a bunch from as they’re custom order only so I am tempted from time to time to pick these up :rolleyes:
Have you ever listened to these Audio Sculpture Ultima amplifiers ?
Can you tell a little about them, please ?
Thanks.
 

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