My first amp was the NAD 3020. A well reviewed classic with plenty of power, or so it seemed at the time.   A few years ago I failed to resist temptation and purchased one of those beautiful looking tube amps from China.  I’d done my research, and at the time this tube amp (Ming Da MC368-B90) was very good value for money, stacking up very well against systems costing 4 to 5 times the price.

However, it wasn’t as smooth sailing as I’d anticipated.  After numerous upgrades, from preamp tube to power tube, volume control pot to internal wiring, all of which seemed to make improvements – I realised my initial set-up cost had doubled.

Believing that after numerous upgrades my system was now sounding like a MEGA dollar set-up, I listened to a friend’s old NAD 3020.  To my dismay, I found that not only was there that very familiar texture with just the right amount of attack, making great and engaging playbacks, I also realised the tone and timing of the NAD was more accurate.

My tube amp had more highlights and juice; it sounded a lot sweeter but the basic tone, the building block of music had been altered.  It was no longer balanced.  Playing back the same track from Norah Jones, Diana Krall etc with my tube amp allowed me to easily focus on certain highlights in the track; the double bass solo, the cut in of the sax and the decay of piano notes. The NAD on the other hand had fewer highlights and less “micro details” but played music with better synergy. I could sit down and enjoy the interaction between musicians and be moved by rhythm and energy. If listening to music with my tube amp is like looking at Mona Lisa with a magnifying glass; then the NAD is like standing back from the Mona Lisa and enjoying the graceful smile and relaxing gesture of her presence. I knew which one I preferred.

The problem was that part of me still enjoyed the resolution from my “fully tweaked” tube amp even knowing its short comings. That was until 6 months ago. The left channel started to fade. A quick tube swap test confirmed that one of the 12AX7 (Mullard 76 grey long plate) was facing the inevitable. A quick search on Ebay shocked me. The same tube I brought 2 years ago  had appreciated 200%! (If only my wages increased at the same rate!)    What made it worse was that there were fewer credible stockists to choose from.

Time to go back to solid state I thought to myself.   After visiting a few Hi-Fi dealers, the only equipment that sounded right to me were those out of my budget range.

Eventually while participating in a few audio forums, I stumbled across a local company run by a small group of audio enthusiasts – BursonAudio   They were offering an integrated amp for about $1K.  Looking at the 100+ components lying neatly on the PCB reminded me of the high quality Naim amps back in the mid 80s.  They had a 30 day refund policy so I took a chance.   

 The amp was simple and straightforward to use.  No remote control volume, which didn’t bother me as I was use to that with my tube amp.  A quick listen confirmed the amp was in good working condition.  I’d been advised that a 100 hour run in was required to get started, then a further 300 hour run in would be ideal.

The PI-100 is in a different league compared to my tube set-up.  It provides the right mix of definition and tone balance that allows me to grasp all the micro detail between the different instruments, it also moves with the emotion behind each passage.  I think the PI-100 exhibits a superior bass definition to my tube amp. 

Unlike a tube amp or the NAD, the bass note is played with extension as well as volume.  The sound of the PI-100 and my Quad 21L simply blend in with the room, and I no longer have to worry about positioning, definition or texture – its pure music at last.

As you’re probably aware, I was very pleased with my purchase.

What I learned from my experience.

1. If you are currently looking for a new tube amp be prepared to accept the rising cost of NOS tubes (believe it! NOS do sound much better than current productions) and other various cap mods

2.  If you are currently in the process of tweaking your amp. Go to a local jazz club and enjoy a session of live music. . It will serve you well as a benchmark for you modification.  Don’t modify for the sake of modifying – difference is not always better. (Eg. A double bass in a jazz band is well extended with plenty of  reverberance but not  necessarily with clear positioning)

3.  If you are looking for a solid state solution Burson Pi-100 is a top candidate to be considered. It’s a little rough around the edges compared to the fully commercial brand names but this “little” gem is hardcore. It has all the best in performance with a small price tag… in fact that’s the only thing that’s small for the PI-100 – the price tag.