Many Wammers know that for the past year I have been using an ASR Emitter II Gold Board amp. It has been very impressive indeed and several wammers have popped round to have a listen. I put it up for sale a few months ago (with hindsight I am still not quite sure why except I had found a very impressive preamp); but just as I was about to sell it I discovered that ASR had just produced an upgrade kit which they claimed brought about very substantial improvements in sound. The upgrade was not too expensive - say in comparison to NOS tube rolling or better interconnects. I was tempted and got Manger Audio - the UK ASR Distibutor to do the work for me.
Firstly, Manger were super fast and efficient - the turn around was a week plus a friendly and helpful service. The new version has 2 new Op amp plus different caps and resistors. In a way this seemed so little, however the improvement was seriously astonishing. It is like a new amplifier: the soundstage and detail in particular is something I have not experienced with my kit before and dynamics and bass detail! . . . well you know the story - cliches with more - but I really have never heard this amp perform quite like it is doing now. What a narrow escape - I almost parted with it. This now brings the amp up to date with the spec ASR are using in all their amps as from 25th June 2013. This really is a HEADLINE NEWS announcement as it is so recent - there is hardly any info on the web as of yet.
So the purpose of this piece is to tell any ASR owners out there - - get this upgrade stage one and two fitted -it's an essential. If you are considering getting an ASR ask if this has been done - if it hasn't budget for it (£416 parts and labour plus vat) and get it off to Manger or ASR Germany if you are over the water.
Firstly, Manger were super fast and efficient - the turn around was a week plus a friendly and helpful service. The new version has 2 new Op amp plus different caps and resistors. In a way this seemed so little, however the improvement was seriously astonishing. It is like a new amplifier: the soundstage and detail in particular is something I have not experienced with my kit before and dynamics and bass detail! . . . well you know the story - cliches with more - but I really have never heard this amp perform quite like it is doing now. What a narrow escape - I almost parted with it. This now brings the amp up to date with the spec ASR are using in all their amps as from 25th June 2013. This really is a HEADLINE NEWS announcement as it is so recent - there is hardly any info on the web as of yet.
So the purpose of this piece is to tell any ASR owners out there - - get this upgrade stage one and two fitted -it's an essential. If you are considering getting an ASR ask if this has been done - if it hasn't budget for it (£416 parts and labour plus vat) and get it off to Manger or ASR Germany if you are over the water.
