Summer Amplification?

D

Dizzie

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After reading many show reports, from a personal perspective, I am very discouraged at the march toward excessive prices, size, heat, and weight. Reports from Munich were especially depressing. I get Munich is "go big or stay home" but what I see does not bode well for the industry. I have spent over a year searching for the perfect summer amplifier (stereo or mono) for my Sound Lab speakers. Everything with any promise of musicality is either too expensive, too heavy, to hot, or all three.

I was thrilled when VAC offered Essence 80 iQ monoblocs (now 90 iQ). At 40 pounds they are manageable (barely). They have set a very high bar for any summer amplification replacement. Temperatures are expected over 100 degrees for the next couple of days. I don't have a summer amp. ☹️
 
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I know this is probably not what you are looking for, but my Stratos+ is pretty much cool or whatever the room temps are at any time on or off. It is paired with an older VAC CLA1 MKII Pre that gets warmer :)
 
For a solid state amp in that power range the Aria by David Belles (Power Modules) would be on my short list. I have never heard a Belles piece that didn't sound outstanding.
 
Mr Peabody said:
If in your budget you might give a listen to Merrill Audio one of the Element amps.
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I have been open to trying Class-D amplifiers from the earliest offerings from Bel Cantos and Merrill Audio to several of the newest topologies. Every one disappointed me. I won't be fooled again.
 
stereogeek said:
For a solid state amp in that power range the Aria by David Belles (Power Modules) would be on my short list. I have never heard a Belles piece that didn't sound outstanding.
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Many reasons to not go there. Lack of power (112W). Seriously, who rates an amp at 112 watts? Coudn't get to 125? Granted they might sound fantastic on the right speakers. But there is no guarantee they can handle the very high imedance Sound Labs exhibit at low frequencies. Small company. I think any amp I would choose would hve made a big name for itself and be from a company tthat is a major player.
 
Don’t shoot the messenger. As an owner of serious Class A mono blocks that clearly drive my electric meter, If I wanted to reduce the AC load in my room, I would look to McIntosh amps. Specifically, the MC462 stereo amp as a summer amp. If you have the coin, the MC 600 something mono blocks. They all run cool.
 
crwilli said:
Don’t shoot the messenger. As an owner of serious Class A mono blocks that clearly drive my electric meter, If I wanted to reduce the AC load in my room, I would look to McIntosh amps. Specifically, the MC462 stereo amp as a summer amp. If you have the coin, the MC 600 something mono blocks. They all run cool.
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Did you mean the MC611? Not going to happen.
  • Unit Weight 97.5 lbs (44.32 kg)

I am working on a cable review. When I finish, I may connect my MA8950 integtated using the amp section only. I don't remember being that impressed in the past. Not bad, just not engaging. Like I posted, the VAC monoblocs set a high bar. My preamp is a VAC Master.

I plan to sell the MA8950. It exceeds my new weight limits.
 
New Constellation Inspiration/Revelation 2 series anyone? I have a friend who thinks they are terrific. They have gone from a somewhat unique A/B design to Class D.
 
GSOphile said:
New Constellation Inspiration/Revelation 2 series anyone? I have a friend who thinks they are terrific. They have gone from a somewhat unique A/B design to Class D.
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YES! But it’s NOT CLASS D!! I called Irv this morning and asked if it’s class D and he said “that’s complete bullshit.” They’ve gone to a switch mode power supply (think Soulution), all new circuitry. Still class A/B.
 
Mike said:
YES! But it’s NOT CLASS D!! I called Irv this morning and asked if it’s class D and he said “that’s complete bullshit.” They’ve gone to a switch mode power supply (think Soulution), all new circuitry. Still class A/B.
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Thanks for the clarification.
 
Mike said:
YES! But it’s NOT CLASS D!! I called Irv this morning and asked if it’s class D and he said “that’s complete bullshit.” They’ve gone to a switch mode power supply (think Soulution), all new circuitry. Still class A/B.
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Mike, How much heat do they produce? I see the power draw can reach 1500W. 43 pounds is acceptable. Champagne--yuck!!! Made in CA. :)
 
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