Hello Ron and others !
My name is Mike Powell. I am the NAT Audio Importer as well as OCDHiFi Guy on YT and founder of Verastarr (Trademark Audiofoil HiFi cables)
I feel its time to put a little fire under this brand to get her more well known and appreciated. My most recent video posted day before yesterday used a NAT Audio SINGLE which is an incredible sounding GM70 SET integrated with the silver wound input XFMRs. I realized that the 6N23P driver tubes were interchangeable with E88CC type , so I rolled some Seimens CCA, Telefunken, and Mullard in an effort to span the envelope of sonic available in that tube .. Now this is a VERY strong value atonly $8K with 30WPC along with the extreme bandwidth NAT OPT's are known for. There is a switch for low output which drops it to 15W for those with 100+ db speakers.
SO, back to the point of the post (Thanks Ron) I would have to concur that the Magma NEW SE is without question, the most involving amplifier Ive yet heard. It comes along with also being the most realistically live sonic Ive yet heard from my rig, which at the time was using some completely rebuilt Magnepan 3.7i and 2 passive sub towers with an active AE 12 inch and 2 passives per tower. The 3 other audiophiles that happened to come by that week had the same reaction about it being their top experience within HiFi.
Something to note is that the previous USA NAT rep had bumped up the retail price of the Magmas to something closer to the competition. Being that I dont subscribe to my involvement with HiFi as a business plan, Id rather share the enjoyment this product line brings than horde money. So what was I believe $56K or $60K has now been adjusted down to $40K, and the amp sounds better.
In regards to one of the users concern about explosion, I believe there is no chance of that whatsoever. Dejan is no fool and has safeguards in place. Yes its hot .. Very hot so dont touch the tube when its on. Its as simple as that. Ive been told that because of the distance from the glass to the center of the tube being as far as it is compared to the Transmitter for instance that the glass is cooler than Transmitter, though there is much more surface area so while cooler on the surface, overall heat radiation is greater. There is also a low setting for the Magma New which cuts output in half essentially.
As far as reliability. mine have all been exemplary. The only issues Ive seen have been directly related to shipping damage. Therefore I have convinced Dejan to ship to USA in nothing other than a fully padded Pelican style waterproof flight case as the particleboard crates were opt to warp in wet or humid conditions. As part of the way I do business, I include a spare factory matched set of GM100 tubes with every order, each in its own large plastic tote case. So 4 large pieces on a pallet is how these arrive at your door, and also, as part of the way I do business I include residential freight with liftgate to your door. So you pay one price of $40K and it includes a spare set of factory matched GM100 tubes and shipping. Im looking to be THE guy you use for your most important HiFi, and I understand high level service very well.
The reason you dont see many reviews and so forth is due to the fact that these amps are expensive and heavy to ship. So when the shippers let the things drop off the back of the truck the sheer weight of the amp can cause it to damage itself internally. So I plaster fragile decals on the flight case and overinsure. So its a liability to ship these all over the place again and again. On top of that, Reviewers these days want to keep your item for 6 months or more.
If we want to do a shootout as Ron suggests then I am willing to show up with my weapons of choice wherever in continental USA is feasible at the time. And of course anyone is welcome to come and listen in my ATL showroom. Currently I am using Analysis Audio Amphitryon planar magnetic panels with 6 active servo controlled 12 inch subs in twin H frame towers. I am also Jeff Rowlands Dealer for the SE USA, along with Playback Designs for the Reference Digital source and DAC offerings and AGD Production for the cutting edge GaN FET technology and its compact modern art aesthetic. For reference and comparison to Analog masters I have chosen magnetic tape, and have a tweaked Studer A80 and a collection of original recordings from the late 70's early 80's from Los Angeles area studios... yes, by original I dont mean dubs, I mean the actual 2 inch session reels and the matching 2 channel quarter inch mix.
So I just wanted to avail myself to the forum as the current representative for NAT Audio here in the USA.
Currently I have Magma M on hand along with the Single integrated as far as new goes. I sold out of the preamps last month and used Ive got a pair of Generators which is a PP 805 DHT making about 125W per chassis
Im not sure if its OK to post a phone number here so I will not do so at this point. You can find me at 11stereo.com home of the HiFi Tribe and the online store. Pardon the site which is light on content due to losing my webmaster. as soon as this mask thing goes away it will be back to normal..
All the best!
Mike
PS, here is a link featuring the NATAudio Single and my tube roll. For the time being, my High Efficiency speakers are simply old Klipsch Forte II This is a testament to the NAT and how good it sounds even with garage sale speakers. I have a pair of AER Drivers that Im trying to decide what type of cab to put them in Open baffle with dual 15's or folded horn by themselves ? any feedback or suggestions regarding this would be appreciated.
