The Analog Ethos Legendarium 2a3 Stereo Amplifier $1799 Review

Once I remembered that I was supposed to be writing a review, I put on a few of my classic test tracks. Up first was Mika’s Live at Brooklyn Steel album. Listening to the song “Popular” you could feel the energy of the crowed. Mika’s voice was positioned more forward then I am used to, but the stage in general felt deeper. Instruments were well separated throughout the song and detail retrieval seemed to be consistent at high and lower volumes. As other songs on the album played, I continued to be impressed. The song “Tomorrow” thundered over my speakers and the clarity and depth of the stage was really felt. There were a few points where the sound stage lost a little definition, but these were also the most complex parts of the song (which again is okay in the context of a single ended DHT amplifier), turning the volume down slightly would restore the detail that was lost.

Listening to Use Me by Vanessa Fernandez, which is one of my favorite DSD albums, the Legendarium really delivered. The album played to all of its strengths. Female vocals came alive via the 2a3, and the minimalist soundstage was rock solid and picture perfect. Dynamic shifts were handled as well as I could ever expect and I found myself listening to the whole album, at times forgetting to write things down.