Valve Audio BlackWidow Preamplifier (Current NEW Model)

What impressed me about the Black Widow when it was first installed in my system was the enormous, extremely airy, and transparent soundstage it threw.  The very rear of the completely open soundstage was as wide, airy, open, clean, and perfectly focused as the front. The performer’s images were beautifully and precisely rendered within its layered and articulate soundstage. The amplifier had an uncanny ability to decouple the performance from the speakers, and create that “palpable presence” The performers were literally in my room. One of my favourite female singers is Barbara Streisand and as I closed my eyes, I swear she was singing just for me!

The spaciousness and openness of the Widow was produced music with exciting dynamics and verve, this amplifier had real midrange charm, voices have never sounded this good and highs were clean and expressive. In some important ways I felt I was hearing recordings better than ever before. The clarity and openness of the expansive soundstage was truly outstanding. The bass was spectacular, entertainingly powerful, and remarkably tight and deep.

More about the bass: The bass of the Black Widow, simply put, was nothing short of phenomenal. I think Schalk has done something very special here as I have never heard the any of my speakers pump out the low frequencies as they did in the tight embrace of these amps. Deep, taut, terrifically impactful, Bass had a warmth mixed with with tonality and individualism, the bass was always astounding. it never competed or fought for my attention during operation. It was beautifully integrated into the overall sound; the upper bass added that kick that is so vital to a dynamic cut, the midbass was tight and kinetic, and its deepest regions impressive and weighty. I only ended going to bed at around 2am Wednesday morning, but never regretted my time with the Black Widow.

So what is my problem here you might ask? well the bloody thing is sold and I have never been so upset to see a piece of equipment go before. I will when I can afford it, be buying another Valve Audio Black Widow to be put back as main duty into my stereo system.

Thank you my old friend Schalk, for building for us such beautiful and musical Hi Fi master pieces.