“This system presented with a blistering dynamic attack yet had the grace to maintain a remarkably relaxed and natural feeling. Listening for the background finger snaps from a Peggy Lee cut, I was treated to refined, well-individualized sounds, each one sounding slightly different and unique, while readily conveying that sensation of fleshy impact of finger striking meaty palm.
Dynamic scaling here was reminiscent of that achievable from the best horn designs. Listening to well-recorded drum tracks revealed superb attack with excellent pitch definition, clearly revealing drumhead skin tone. This dynamic prowess also allowed for starkly well-defined instrumental trail and decay detail.
Overall tonality was nicely refined, with the “blat” on horns authentically presented, as well as microdynamic shadings of subtle piano noodlings. I was especially impressed with how it exposed Elton John’s voice on “Talking Old Soldiers” from his 1970 loose concept album about the American West, Tumbleweed Connection. It was so natural, so “there,” so transparent….”
Greg Weaver