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New Vandersteen oil cooled hybrid amplifiers

Heard Vandersteen liquid cooled amplifiers over the weekend. Richard Vandersteen introduced them himself at NY Audio Show. The Amps have built in oil pumps that pump oil around a solid copper block that the transistors are bolted to. The oil is then recirculated across large external heatsinks that transfer heat out into the room. The transistors are said to stay within +- 2% of optimal operating temperature range. 6H30 tube driving solid state output. Interesting design if not overkill at the low power levels being achieved. Anyone else see or hear these amps? Thoughts or feedback appreciated.
wwchange
raytheprinter's avatar
raytheprinter
1,234 posts
 
Jwm,I heard a demo back when Krell came out with those speakers,They sounded VERY good!
no_money
638 posts
 
That's my thoughts as well meblguy1, you already have a limited market trying to sell an amp, now you have a super high dollar amp that only really works with certain speakers.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,405 posts
 
My take is its a unique product targeting Vandersteen speaker owners seeking no holds barred ultimate performance from Vandersteen rather than mixing or matching.

It might well work great with other speakers as well, but it seems the group most likely to pounce are wealthy Vandersteen owners. Lots of competition in teh SOTA amp market otherwise.

Its a win/win for Vandersteen and their customers, assuming there are enough out there willing to shell out the $$$s.

Not to say other really good amps might not work as well or better, but those will not come from Vandersteen.
dminches
38 posts
 
"A speaker manufacturer who starts making amplifiers tends to damage relations with amplifier manufacturers with whom they have worked in the past, hurting themselves. "

How do you know that Richard was working WITH the amplifier manufacturers on the design?
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
13,010 posts
 
eventually i will demo them at home vs. Twenty series Ayre..i hear from people i trust that they both sound great.
what I do know is Richard collaborates with a pretty tight circle of like minded and innovative people in the industry. He shares a patent w Bill at AQ, etc..no mystery that many a Steen dealer carry ARC, AYRE, Aesthetix, etc.
The guy from PSE directly helped with the amp.
will it have limited appeal? Sure.
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