I would give this amplifier 6 stars I could, is is simply put a really revolutionary amplifier and definitely my last one. The level of detail, speaker control capabilitity and non-electronic sound must to be heard to be believed. It excells in quite every areea:
- a midrange to die for
- superb bass and trebble
- excellent soundstage.
What fascinates however more than anything else is how all these sonic attributes melt together getting out of the way of the music. The sound floor, meaning the level of detail and articulation are formidable, microdynamics as well and the timbre of instruments extremely correct.
I haven't owned many systems in the past, but all were of excellent quality, like Tom Evans Linear A and ASR Emitter 2. The Thorens is even more spectacular. I haven't owned David Berning or the finest SET stuff, due to budget or speaker constraints/compatibility, I have to say also that I purchased this amplifier for a second-hand price.
There is a caveat however and it is sad, stupid and hard to believe: Thorens doesn't manufacture this revolutionary amplifier anymore, well, why should Thorens do this as far as the world sells tons of mediocre "high-end" stuff. One last note: the retail price is very high indeed and it remains high by any west european income standard, I mean for those who doesn't own a yacht. I am not an advocate of the audio press theory:"compared to other much more expensive stuff it is a bargain" but I still consider it very good value and if purchased second-hand extremely good value.