AMP-F2: Reviews & Feedback

I tried two different types of usb a to 3.5mm cables and neither worked. If anyone finds a cable that works, please let me know!

 

Now, how does the F2 compare with other classe D offerings, like the cheaper Fosi audio options (ZA3 or V3 PFFB monos), or more expensive, or sometimes (Audiophonics?) options with Hypex/Purifi options ? Anybody been there ?

 

I can personally compare with the XTZ Edge A2 - 300 (IcePower module from Bang & Olufsen). The F2 has softer high tones, the bass can be more defined and the stage wider. What I hear in my system, and I am 55. Both are a great value for money what they offer. Between them, however, the price difference is about 250 euros.

 

I had a look at that amp, but single ended input won’t do it for me. OTOH the A2-400 could do it, but at c. 100€ more. However, at that kind of money c. 900€ you are getting into Hypex NC252MP, territory, or maybe NCx500.

The Eversolo wins on aesthetic grounds, but the Hypex solutions can be had assembled in Europe or the USA, depending on what your preference, at very competitive prices. This is what I am leaning towards, and particularly the Apollon Audio offerings, albeit their entry level ranges.

 

I thought about NC 252 of Nord Acoustics and Apollon Audio. Apollon (Maribor - Slovenia) is 25 km away from my home, I am from Slovenia. Nord is from UK. Both would cost me around 1000 eur. I got F2 for 699 euro. Price and also a little aesthetic reasons.

 

That’s a good deal!

Where did you buy it from. I’m in France, so Audiophonics solutions are a good choice.

 

I bought at the official seller for Slovenia - Archus.si. I know myself with the owner and got a little discount. Yes, for France, Audiophonics is the best solution. All sellers in the EU have the same price of 799 EUR.

 

I watched it, but had the sound very low, wasn't sure about what he was saying other than he thought the Eversolo worth buying.

 

Basically he said all, and the contrary of all. Just to please everybody.
Lately (few months...?) Andrew has made a move towards slighly more "professional" reviews, in the terms of describing how and with what he made such reviews / comparisons.
Nevertheless he's still far from being technical enough. As almost all of them, he's subjective, even if he tries to appear on the tech side...

 

I also recommend it, it is a very good amplifier in its price range and even above

 

Hi, I had a Musical Fidelity Nu Vista Pre and power 300 on the eversolo dmp a6 but decided to give the amp f2 a try. Now I own two amp f2’s and I use them in mono mode. I really like the sound and even more so after they mellowed a bit after a couple of weeks. I am not a firm believer in burning in electronics but at first I had to usse a bit of roll of on the highs but now I do not need this feature anymore. I use Technics SB E100’s in their ‘normal’ setting. The amps do punch nicely but not exagerated bass is nicely detailed, mids are well defined and high is very clear (cd/file/ Spotify). You can find the music I listen to there (‘music in the key of my life’ , ‘speakertest’ and ‘soundtest’ on Spotify). I do not regret trading the Musical Fidelity’s for the Eversolos one bit (no pun intended)

 

I had the idea that I could liven up the sound by adding two of these monoblocks and using my Cambridge Audio Edge as a preamplifier. My intention was if it is possible to improve the sound when listening quietly. So I borrowed two pieces and up for testing. The sound was of the same quality as from the Cambridge Edge, only at extreme volume when the Cambridge Edge lost its breath (distortion), so the Eversolo kept going just fine, but I don't need it. Otherwise, for the price, the sound is fantastic. I also tested the sound from the ZIDOO NEO X, but not much. If I were starting out with HiFi, I would buy them and a quality preamplifier and that's it.

 

I changed my whole system from aktive Stands and Sub to passiv Bookshelfs, because in a new room I can only listen in nearfield. The Stands with the Sub where a lot oversized for this and had to go.
I bought Triangle Comete EZ in black highgloss with Triangle Stands. So I needed an Amp too and for that I got Eversolo F2 for testing here. It is a nice and good sounding Amp, but I did not buy it.
On the web were dozends of videos from this cheaper Fosi ZA3 and the ability to run two of them as Monoblocks. That was my intention to test it. After a intense week of testing the Eversolo F2 and
two Fosis, I can say, that in my constellation the two Fosis, set up as Monoblocks, are the better choice for me. They sound more punchy, very quick and have a better separation (may be because one for each channel and two Eversolo F2 would do the same).
Resolution is excellent and they are very nice balanced in Tonalitiy overall. They deliver an absolute clear and neutral sound. Look and Feel is also very good. Sure, Amp F2 is the better looking piece.

My stack now - and I think this is endgame for the next few years - is as follows:
Eversolo DMP-A6 > USB > RME ADI-2 DAC FS > XLR > 2x FOSI ZA 3 in Mono > Triangle Comete EZ

I am very pleased with this.

 

Triggers are 3.5 stereo jacks, for A8 to F2 or usb to 3.5 jack for A6, you can use usb to 3.5 for a8 however there is a 3.5 trigger on the A8 so why would you?

 

I had two F2s both failed on me, maybe early ones off the production line, close serial numbers.. I decided to buy a quad artera stereo, it sounds no where near as good as the F2s, dealer has told me it needs 400hrs burn in. It does sound a little better already but not close to the F2s. so now I'm hoping to get F2s back in my system, but ones that work. Unless the quad artera stereo turns into something amazing over the next two weeks. I'm waiting for it to drop it's balls. The F2s are truly excellent amplifiers in my opinion. I was rushing home from work to listen to them. Then one day one failed to power up and the other lost signal. Just bad luck I guess as I've seen no other reports of failure so happy to try again. Miss that sound!

 

RED FLAG:
1. The burn-in is a scam. You do not need it. No-one does. It's an invention of the dealers (read on)
2. Be careful, as after the 400h burn-in is over, so it will be the period for returning the unit (as I assume you are testing it now)... and after 400h you'll most probably convince yourself it sounds good...

 

Which parts in the amplifier should need this burn in time and what happens to them in this time? What could change? How do the parts know when the 200 - 300 hours are over and that they need to sound better just then? Is there an internal hour counter built in? By the way. Is there a difference when you listen to it after 200 hours and again after 300 hours? What is your experience after 250 hours? What temperatures are required for burn in? Can you speed up the burn in process by running the amplifier in the microwave oven or on the stovetop in the initial phase?
Is it better to buy the amplifier in spring because it is warmer than in winter? Or better yet in midsummer?

Many questions remain unanswered.

Your ears and mind are burned in to the amplifier after this time and you imagine it sounds better than at the beginning.
The rest is snake oil and bullshit bingo.

 

I had F2 for a few weeks for testing. I didn`t buy it. Instead I took two Fosi ZA3 as Mono Blocks. A lot cheaper. A lot better sounding to my ears. And they don`t need burn in f0r 200 - 300 hours. They make fun from the first moment of use.
But I can put you in touch with the dealer from my test F2. It ran for about 30 hours for me. If you buy it as your second one, you only need 270 hours of burn in.

I think that's more the case with you.
But believe in it and it will come true.

 

I have answered your question.

By the way, have you had a look into your F2 amp looking like a bigger shoebox? There is not more in it as in an amp that looks like a box of cigarettes.
Big amp, big sound (after 300 hours), big Audifool you are.