Heed Audio Obelisk SI: $1,935
It’s a good job our Awards aren’t handed
out for first impressions. Or by a quick scan of the specification sheet. Then
we’d have a very different set of results.
Heed
Audio Obelisk si, the best stereo amp $1,500-$2,250
Take the Heed Audio Obelisk SI: 35 watts
per channel in exchange for $1950 doesn’t appear particularly great value. Take
it out of the box and the amplifier feels solid enough, but it lacks the luxury
feel we would expect at this price. A basic ‘credit-card’ remote control
handset completes the uncomfortable introduction.
The Obelisk SI sounds robust and
controlled even when pushed. And it’s enthusiastic without ever being
overbearing
Musically accomplished
But when we came to take our first listen.
And once the Obelisk SI is plugged into system, any of those initial doubts
simply fade away. This is one of the most musically accomplished stereo amps
we’ve heard anywhere near this price. In fact, you’d have to go up a level to
Roksan Caspian M2 to better the sound. Tunes with plenty of pep and zip, such
as the Black Eyed Peas Hey Mamma, charge along. The amp makes the most of the
intricate rhythms and dynamic thrust of the track. The unit sounds robust and
controlled even when pushed to extremes. And it sounds enthusiastic without
ever becoming overbearing.
Opt for a more laidback piece such as Emeli
Sandé’s Mountains and the Heed shifts down the gears effortlessly. It delivers
vocals with appealing warmth and subtlety. And like Cyrus, Heed offers an
appealing and useful upgrade path for ‘SI’ owners.
There’s the option of adding an outboard
power supply ($1095). This raises power to 50W and adds extra scale and punch
to proceedings. The Obelisk si will also accept optional modules: a coax-only
DAC ($397.5) or a moving magnet phono stage ($217.5).
To sum up, then, this is a product that
proves the maxim that one should never judge a book (okay, and amplifier) by
its cover – you could be missing out. The Heed is a peach of a product and a
deserved Award-winner.
Best stereo amp $2,250+
Roksan Caspian M2: $2,475
Over the years, Roksan’s Caspian range has
evolved into a firm favorite over here at What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision.
Need
more power? Should the Caspian need a bit more com.ph for your system, you can
add Roksan’s M2 power amp to really get things singing
Excellent build quality, generous features,
and the ability to produce brilliant all-round sound are all attractive assets,
and Caspians have consistently combined all three to stunning effect. This, the
M2, is the most accomplished version to date and that’s why it walks away with
a Best Buy Awards for a second year.
The M2 feels substantial and well damped.
Each control is solid and precise; combine that with a smart remote control
handset and you’re getting a package that looks and feels the part.
And it sounds the part too. The Caspian’s
strength has always been its amazing all-round ability – there’s bucket load of
detail to admire as the amp delivers serious levels of subtlety and manages to
arrange it musically and in a manner that exposes all the various elements of a
track to the maximum. The soundstage is nicely layered and the stereo image is
extremely focused. Vocals and instruments are locked into place no matter how
intricate rhythms are or how dynamically demanding a track gets.
Vocals and instruments are locked
into place no matter how intricate rhythms are or how demanding a track gets
Superb timing, bountiful bass
Crank the volume up and the Roksan takes
the strain it its stride. The amplifier is fitted with an intelligent internal
cooling fan to make sure the circuitry doesn’t overheat when it’s working hard.
Hip-hop and dance tunes are dispatched with
aplomb. The Caspian’s expert timing and powerful, bountiful bass keeps rhythms
flowing positively, not ponderously. Of course the M2’s natural partner would
be the matching Caspian M2 CD player, an Award-winner in its own right while
for speakers; you’d get great results hooking it all up to a talented floor-stander
such as the PMC Twenty 23 ($3,150). If your budget can stretch, then you’ll
struggle to hear better at the money.
