2. amps-preamps
  3. 125142-80492

Attack of the Clone Amplifiers

Worth reading. https://www.audioholics.com/audio-amplifier/clone-amplifiers
seanheis1
erik_squires
16,399 posts
 
I’m not sure it’s an input resistor or a 2:1 isolation transformer actually. The latter makes more sense and is more likely to warm up the sound. Good one’s are around $75 each from Jensen Transformers. I believe this is similar to what JR was doing. I’m not at all sure what Bel Canto is doing.

Also, galvanic isolation of the input signal is a beautiful thing. It can get rid of issues you didn’t even know you had. In addition, ICEPower and Hypex amps expect a truly differential input.  If you want to offer XLR and RCA inputs including an input transformer is a natural way to do it, and if it warms up the sound, bonus!

I thought about adding them to my custom ICEPower builds, but never got around to it.

Best,

Erik
tomcy6's avatar
tomcy6
2,608 posts
 

This article is from 2009 and deals with a few ICE module amps. What he has found is interesting, but I’m not sure that it means much except for the amps mentioned. I’m sure there are many other examples of off-the-shelf parts being put in a fancy case and sold at a high markup, but I don’t think it’s how high-end gear is made in general.

We should always do our homework before buying any component, as we all know (or will find out) that more money does not necessarily equal better sound.

The most important test, how does it sound to me, in my system, over an extended period of time, can only be done by buying the component and putting it in our system. I wish there was a shortcut, but I’m not aware of one available to most Audiogoners.

czarivey
5,946 posts
 
tomcy6,
I saw articles of similar nature since times back even before this article and even had chance to compare Bel Canto to Wyred4Sound. 
Wyred4Sound did not do better job vs. my Sunfire 300 amp, but Bel Canto amp substantially did, but was outside of my budget.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,478 posts
 
BEl Canto ref1000m amps  are  not the same as stock Icepower or Wyred.

They use Icepower modules in a a proprietary Bel Canto architecture with proprietary integrated power supply and input boards.

Older  ref1000 amps were essentially Icepower in a nice box as far as I know.

Lots of vendors tehse days beef up their own designs around stock Icepower and other class D amp modules as they see fit to improve the sound and charge accordingly.




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