Radio craftsmen C500a

The Radio craftsmen sounded very close (about 90%) to the Leak 12.1 sound. However, in term of sound stage and detail, I must say that the 12.1 is slightly ahead with slightly wider stage as well as depth. In term of looks, with its shining chassis, the Radio craftsmen is ahead of its time.

For those of you who do not wished to pay HKD$45,000 or more for a pair of Leak12.1 and still want the lovely sound from the nice KT66 amp, could look for the Radio craftmen C500 series as alternatives instead (at half the price) ....but a hifi shop at Tak Fak Mongkok is selling the same pair of Radio Craftsmen C500 with Chinamade KT66 at $38,000 though : 0 ...

I have tried matching the RC500a with both Fisher 400Cx and Marantz 7 and both sounded nice. To make a choice between the two, I would say that Marant 7 seemed to be the perfect match for the Radio Craftsmen. Perhaps, it is due to the fact that both Marantz 7 and the Radio craftsmen C500a were both delevloped by the famous Sid Smith. Look at the size of the various transformers! They are giants! Good sound!

To know more about the great Sid Smith Please see : http://www.stereophile.com/news/10884/

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