A bunch of us here in SoCal periodically get together for Jazz nights, where we listen to mostly jazz on vinyl on our systems. Yesterday, MK, a self proclaimed audio snob came over, and I set up the little Monoprice, Axiom M3V2, Sherwood CD/SACD/DVDA player.
Now, MK prefers tube MacIntosh amp and Cornscala custom speakers, but ... he was shocked by the Monoprice - Axiom M3V2 combination. We only had a half hour, but sampled Nora Jones, Bill Evans, Pete Ellis, and a SACD jazz sampler.
He said, as to sound quality, if you told me this was a $1,500 system, I would have thought you got a great deal.
This little Monoprice tube amp and Axiom M3V2 combination is SILLY GOOD.
BTW, I know it is described as a hybrid amp, but it looks like it has a pair of 12ax7 type tubes for the preamp section, and some weird EL type tubes for the amp section.
Anyway, if you're on a budget and want to try a tube amp which sounds very good, go get 'em.
