final audio design

I just wanted to comment on my listening experiences to date with the Final Labs system [MUSIC-5 preamp, MUSIC-6 power amp, and OFC cables]. First and foremost, I was immediately impressed by the total lack of power-supply noise. I have never experienced such a black background. The next thing that floored me was the power of the bass. I use PHY-HP wideband drivers in open-baffle enclosures, and even though these drivers are quite efficient, I was concerned that the presentation would be thin and would lack bottom energy. (This has been my experience with many other amps rated at 10 watts or less). But the bass lines are the best I have ever heard in my system.

Even the speaker wire was an eye-opener. I'm accustomed to fat cables with lots of copper and exotic insulation. What a surprise I got using the thin Final cables. These are the only cables I've tried that are fast enough to maintain the impressive speed of the Final components.

The resolution of this system is outstanding, as is the speed and timing. The musical presentation is of one fabric, and the texture is holographic. As you know, I had my doubts about this system, but not anymore. I would recommend this system to anyone with efficient speakers who wants the last word in low-noise, high-resolution presentation.

- John I. (USA - Indiana) size="1">FEEDBACK

Being a music-lover first and foremost, and an audiophile only out of necessity, I've always had a little trouble understanding the kind of jargon found in most high-end equipment reviews. Now that I own the Final Laboratory phono preamp, however, I believe that I at last understand what audiophiles mean by "transparency". There's nothing I'd rather put between my turntable and tube amp, because the MUSIC-4 is as close to "nothing" as it gets!

- Lee M. (USA - Ohio)

I was skeptical about the little battery-powered amp and preamp from Final Labs, but the review in "Enjoy The Music" was so positive, and I'm a risk-taker when it comes to new audio designs. I hate to think of all the $$$ I've lost on such gambles, but these babies will be staying! Man, is this combo sweet! At first I thought that the highs seemed a little rolled-off, but this turned out to be wrong - I guess I'm just not used to the treble range being reproduced with such ease. And the midrange is the best I've heard, period.

I've always been a single-ended triode freak, but the Final Labs combo out-SETs even the best SET amps I've owned. The midrange is at least as good as that of any SET amp, the treble even better, and that bass - simply phenomenal! "Sculpted bass", as one reviewer called it. The bass lines are so much more detailed than with any tube amps I've heard. Having lived with SET amps for so long, I'd come to overlook the lower bass, but no longer! Now I know that I can have it all.

The Final Labs gear is everything an SET-lover could ever dream of, and more. This preamp and amp will be in my system for a very long time, which for me is a miracle. Thanks again!

- Todd B. (USA - North Carolina)

To begin, let me say that I endorse everything that the professional reviewers have said about these fabulous products; they simply provide the most artifact-free reproduction of music I have heard. I would love to compare a good recording played through the Final phono stage and preamp with a live performance of the same music. However, I have yet to accomplish this, so let me draw some comparisons with other outstanding audio products that I had handy when I first received the Music-4 and Music-5.

Firstly, I got more detail and transparency from the Final preamp than I was able to retrieve when I substituted it with a Placette preamp, itself established as a reference for transparency. Secondly, when compared with a phono stage and preamp from Herron Audio, I consistently preferred the Final components. Let me just put this in context: the Herron gear paints as musically coherent and as compelling experience as I had heard to date, but it now sounds like a reproduction of the event when compared to Final's Music-4 and Music-5. The Final duo simply sounds more REAL. This gear is here to stay!

Do the Music-4 and Music-5 sound so accomplished because they are freed from dependency on poor quality AC? I don't know, but the other phono stages and preamps were connected to Shunyata's AC filter and power cables, and so were given the best opportunity to compete. The amplifiers I use are either Herron's M150 or Manley Lab's Neoclassic, and the Music-4 and Music-5 sound fantastic through either. I am now very tempted to try the Music-6. Both of the Final components also work very well by themselves. For example, I played my Amazon/Morch/Lyra analogue combination through the Music 4 and into a Headroom Max - sheer musical bliss!

A comment about their looks: very, very different! In a world of 17'' wide rack-mountable components, the Final gear really stands out. They are jewel-like and exceptionally well built. Frankly, even if they didn't sound so good, I would have a hard time parting with them. And the interconnects and speaker cables? Amazing! And not just because of their low cost, but also because they let the music through so effortlessly. I have not heard anything better. So if you want the best that I know of, don't hesitate to go for the Final lineup. But you won't be buying mine!

- Andrew W. (USA - Pennsylvania)

The MUSIC-6 amplifier is extremely transparent, fast, and agile. Its level of resolution, clarity, and detail are superb. The amplifier is dead quiet, with no worries about hum, hash, or buzz. The treble is quite extended without any harshness, the bass is very impressive, and the midrange is flawless. Paired with my high-sensitivity loudspeakers, I can't ask for much more. I have no regrets about this purchase, and it will be staying in my system for good.

- Jacob C. (USA - Virginia)

　