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Post by dsjr on Sept 14, 2019 13:15:37 GMT
Performance isn't at the very top of this class of amp, but so far in this thread, the performance is no worse and more powerful than any Naim power amp costing considerably more. the option of a balanced input must be an advantage if it's done right (accepting not every preamp line output buffer does it correctly and can be more trouble than it's worth). Interesting comment that at lower power levels any distortion is buried in the noise floor if I read it right.
$699 - No idea even if it's available for UK consumption, but I still feel it's a sign of the times.
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Post by sq225917 on Sept 14, 2019 14:54:45 GMT
Layout is shocking, main board should be rotated 90 degrees clockwise to shorten psu and output wiring. Also note u shrouded wires on ice, no heat shrink etc, its half arsed.
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Post by dsjr on Sept 14, 2019 16:46:41 GMT
None of the pics shown are actually of the unit tested. Maybe it's the same, but the mono one is in too narrow a case to do what you're suggesting and the other is totally different I think.
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Post by dsjr on Sept 16, 2019 18:49:48 GMT
Review sample with top off -
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Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,071
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Post by Bigman80 on Sept 16, 2019 21:14:24 GMT
Performance isn't at the very top of this class of amp, but so far in this thread, the performance is no worse and more powerful than any Naim power amp costing considerably more. the option of a balanced input must be an advantage if it's done right (accepting not every preamp line output buffer does it correctly and can be more trouble than it's worth). Interesting comment that at lower power levels any distortion is buried in the noise floor if I read it right.
$699 - No idea even if it's available for UK consumption, but I still feel it's a sign of the times.
I agree on all counts. It makes me sad though because these things don’t look like an amplifier should. I’d have zero pride of ownership and no satisfaction from use. Today’s generation won’t care though, and it’s far more likely they will get decent sound as a result of such developments. |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2019 3:54:32 GMT
I just cant get excited about these things. This thought crosses my mind, if and when the thing packs up it is basically irreparable and as a door stop you might as well use a brick. Sure they do seem to perform well, but I do not care they do not have glowing valves. Could get a pair of these, but at $7,500 no thanks.   AGD Vivace. |
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Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,071
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Post by Bigman80 on Sept 17, 2019 7:19:56 GMT
I just cant get excited about these things. This thought crosses my mind, if and when the thing packs up it is basically irreparable and as a door stop you might as well use a brick. Sure they do seem to perform well, but I do not care they do not have glowing valves. Could get a pair of these, but at $7,500 no thanks. View AttachmentView AttachmentAGD Vivace. That’s a point I hadn’t considered, and another reason why the only class D amps I’m interested in are the sort that arrive at your door for £16 all in. |
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Post by dsjr on Sept 17, 2019 9:54:00 GMT
SMD scares the pants off people, but does this guarantee impossible service? These things run cool and are seemingly well protected, so *hopefully* no reason why they can't last decades as my Crowns have done - I checked my D-150 from the early 70's and it appears that possibly the on-board electrolytics have been replaced in the past - all four of them! DC offsets are well within spec still.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2019 9:58:10 GMT
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Post by dsjr on Sept 17, 2019 12:34:39 GMT
Integrated circuits used properly DON'T fail as a general 99.999% rule in my experience. Hell, the IC's in my power amps are currently over 45 years old and just about still available. The two in my preamp are updatable with more modern ones and these are a drop-in replacement (no need to go wild on audiophool suggestions on line stage op-amps as these have too wide a bandwidth (many MHz) and can cause oscillation). You just need a sensible stable design and of all the current crop of audio electronics designers, Bruno Putzeys is one I feel I can trust, not that that says anything I suppose.
If you want ott top engineering in every sense, look to Pass Labs as one suggestion! You get a seriously good sound and seriously good measurements by all accounts and utter stability according to the man. his kit stuff is general ideas he's had which are perhaps too basic or off the wall for commercial production, but fine for DIYers who know how to implement these ideas properly.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2019 12:58:03 GMT
In this neck of the woods we have lightning strikes, and above all our electrical system is prone to outages and massive spikes. Those IC's in those amps are so numerous and so tiny they are not replaceable. You will need to get a new board and from past experience almost impossible to get and if you can they cost the earth.
I fully concur on Pass amps great sound and simple circuits yet to hear one that does not impress.
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Post by macca on Sept 17, 2019 17:16:57 GMT
Like most things electrical if it lasts a month it will probably last ten years at least.
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Post by sq225917 on Sept 17, 2019 18:08:44 GMT
Lemos, you can fit mov's to the incoming mains live to protect against surges and strikes. Say a promo for a new type on mouser last week that looked very good by the specs. An easy diy fit.
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