Flagship Power Amplifiers with Hand-built Quality and a Manageable Size!
I knew these L2 Signature Monoblock amps from Vinnie Rossi were good even before I got the chance to review them in my system, but I wasn’t sure how good. After all, I have given awards to rooms at several audio shows that used these amps. I also spent some time after hours at AXPONA listening to these amps with Vinnie Rossi. So, I eagerly anticipated their arrival at my house, and I wasn’t disappointed.
First things first, I know some audiophiles claim they don’t care what equipment looks like and others love bling. The L2 Signature Monoblocks are my idea of great looking gear. They are simply elegant with a build-quality that is apparent to the eye and when you pick them up. It’s the kind of quality you get only from gear that is carefully built by hand. I also love their size, and because they are monoblocks instead of a single stereo amp, I don’t have to schedule a physical therapy appointment after lifting them.
Description
In addition to the exceptional build quality, the L2 Signature Monoblocks are about as simple to use as an amplifier can be. The outside chassis is dense, compact and heavy. It is mounted on a solid CNC-machined aluminum isolation base with Stillpoints ULTRA MINI feet. The front panel has Vinnie’s signature at the top, a small red lamp near the bottom and the L2 under the lamp.
The back panel is well laid out, which makes hookups easy. It has a WBT NextGen 0703cu speaker binding post, Neutrik RCA, XLR inputs, a 12V Trigger input jack, and a fused power cord input.
On the website, they refer to the design as a “finely-tuned Class AB MOSFET circuit topology powered by a highly responsive linear power supply.” Vinnie meticulously hand-builds and tests each L2 Signature Monoblock Amplifier. He says, “It is a no-compromise construction that uses only the highest-quality components.” The amp is designed and built in the USA, and each amp comes in its own custom, military-grade hard rolling, travel case. These cases provide real protection during shipping.
The Review System
My reference system has had a significant transformation since the first of this year. The biggest change has been speakers. After 11 years, instead of the Teresonic Ingenium XR speakers, I am now using the DeVore Fidelity gibbon Super Nine Speakers as my reference. You can read Part 1 and Part 2 of my review of this speaker.
I have also changed from the Emia Remote Autoformer to the Linear Tube Audio MZ3 Preamp/Headphone Amp, which I reviewed here. And, I have also gone to all Audience cables with a mixture of Au24SX and their new reference FrontRow cables. I just reviewed the FrontRow cables. As I said in the review, I wish I could afford them. I did end up buying two FrontRow power cables and the FrontRow speaker cables. For the rest of my system, I’m using the Audience Au24SX cables.
I didn’t change the turntable. It’s my AMG V12 with the V12 Turbo tonearm mounted with a DS Audio DS- Master1 optical cartridge. It uses the Master1 phono stage. The digital source is an Innuos Mini Mk II music server with a Border Patrol DAC SE.
The Sound of the Signature L2s in My System
The sound of Vinnie Rossi’s Signature L2 Monoblocks is seductive, very seductive! They are also addictive as all get out. Well, that sums it up, I hope you enjoyed the review, but I guess now you want to know why they sound so seductive.
I think the first two things you will notice about these monoblocks is their bass and their soundstaging. Whether kettle drums, a standup bass or a big pipe organ these amps have iron-fisted control of the bass. The bass is also deep, fast and powerful.
Not only do you get these audio effects in the bass, but you also can hear rich, beautiful tonal colors. With drums, you don’t get quite the initial impact of the stick hitting the skin; but the thunder of the drum and the air that moves with the mighty strikes of big drums is amazing. Likewise, on stand-up basses and cellos, the leading edge is not quite as pronounced as it is with pure Class A amps, but the sound of the wooden bodies of the instrument with the air moving in them and around them is really seductive.
The second thing I noticed was the soundstage, and it was huge. With the L2 Signature amps in my system, the soundstage floated behind the speakers and way to the outside of the speakers. If not done very carefully, this kind of soundstage can be very distracting from the music. Done correctly though, this kind of soundstage is very captivating and very addictive. What makes it correct is the solidity, of the space of the individual instruments and singers. It should not float in the air but occupy a solid space on the stage. The L2 Signatures allowed my system to do this better than any amp I have heard.
The midrange has a wonderfully natural, relaxed, liquid, sweet and warm sound. Sinatra, or Ella’s voices or Ben Webster’s sax all sounded so relaxed and effortless. These power amps enabled me to hear layers of tones and textures of the music that came out of a very natural sounding background of silence. Performances were quite involving and moving at both low and loud listening levels.
With these amps, my system also had the capability to let me hear the lushness from the strings and woodwinds. When you combine this midrange with the bass I talked about above, you have a real winner on your hands.
Experiencing the Emotions of Music
What listening to music comes down to for me is the emotional experience. For me to have an emotional experience there must be exceptional reproduction of dynamics, drive, timbre, textures and tonal colors. All of these were enjoyable on almost every recording I played using these amps. They helped my system to reproduce music with smoothness, warmth, and beauty. These are simply very seductive sounding amplifiers.
Conclusion
It was a pleasure to review Vinnie Rossi’s L2 Signature Monoblock amplifier. At $15,995, there is a lot of competition, but the L2s stand out in their seductive sound, their incredible soundstaging abilities and their wonderful bass with timbre and texture. Very highly recommended!
Price: $15,995
Specifications: https://www.vinnierossi.com/l2-signature-monoblock/
