8 Okt, 2013

Sound Quality

I really like this compact integrated amp. It does

everything one has the right to expect, and rather

more too, and doesn’t seem to suffer from any

significant weaknesses either. Sure, it’s not going to

deliver quite the toe-curling dynamic grip and poise

of the much larger and more costly Naim combo

that I normally use, but it doesn’t give a great deal

away either.

In fact this is quite a difficult amplifier to criticise,

as it seems to ooze competence on virtually every

identifiable parameter, and its minor limitations

are all well balanced and cunningly disguised. Most

importantly for this listener at least, the timing is

very good, so it always drives the music along with

fine momentum and purpose. Paul Simon’s South

American exploration Rhythm of the Saints (the

follow up to Graceland) is crammed with complex

polyrhythmic percussion, yet the Caspian M2 held

everything together with considerable dexterity and

aplomb.

One might perhaps wish for sharper stereo image

focus, and a firmer, deeper and more even bass,

and a wider dynamic range, but those observations

all involve some splitting of hairs, as the M2 is far

from weak in these areas – it just falls a little short

of what’s possible, so the result falls more into the

category of reproduction rather than reality.

The low bass might lack a little weight, scale and

dexterity, but it’s the midrange that’s the real star

of the show here, combining vigour and delicacy

to ensure fine vocal expression, whether sung or

spoken. Strings have real texture and the stereo image

shows good ‘hear through’ transparency with a fine

dynamic range right across this midband region.

Every amplifier has a touch of individual

character, and the Caspian M2 is no exception. Its

sound is not particularly sweet, but it is essentially

neutral and doesn’t add much of its own signature.

If anything there does seem to be a slight midband

emphasis here, but it’s not particularly excessive and

merely serves to emphasise the voice band a little. 

Conclusions

This is a fine amplifier in every respect. It’s compact,

handsomely finished and has interesting if slightly

quirky ergonomics. It’s also powerful and essentially

neutral sonically, with a particularly fine midband,

and an overall capability that’s good enough to make

one question whether a separate pre/power combo is

really worth considering.

HIFICRITIC JUL | AUG | SEPT 2013