08-23-08: DotsystemOnkyo apparently took a couple of pages out of PS Audio's book; 1) They use a much larger power supply than is typical of compact class D designs. The 85 wpc Onkyo weighs nearly 28 lbs. 2) They also use a variable gain stage in the preamp rather than a constant gain that is attenuated by the vol. control.
Few amps can handle zero ohm territory. The class D implementation distortion signature may or may not be to your liking. Many class D amps come in small chassis and have a switching power supply built in to the amp module. Big chassis class D like the H20 have linear power supplies.
Will new Class D trump a vintage Class A/AB?
After 6 years on a shelf, I finally got a 1986 VSP Labs TransMOS 150 power amp fixed. Back in its heydey, the Gold Edition of this amp was one of J. Gordon Holt's favorite amps for neturality and musicality. It's fairly heavily biased into Class A, as the VSPs run on the warm side. They weigh a ton--50-60 lbs depending on whether you have the 150wpc or 200wpc version. They are stable all the way down to 0 ohms, have a really high damping factor, and have deep, extended, tightly controlled bass. It's one of the first MOSFET transconductance amps--it's a solid state implementation of tube amp topology. I remember it being fairly fast, but especially liquid.
Now, I haven't heard a VSP in years (even though I have 4 of 'em--most needed recaps or something).
Anyway, in a fit of impulse-buying, I ordered an Onkyo A-9555 class D integrated amp, which has been enthusiastically reviewed and recommended by both Absolute Sound and Stereophile.
So whaddaya all think? Has amplifier development come far enough in the past 22 years that a high quality MIJ class D integrated could give a handmade boutique old school AB amp from the '80s a run for the money? I know I'll find out in a couple of weeks, but which way do you think it'll go?
Now, I haven't heard a VSP in years (even though I have 4 of 'em--most needed recaps or something).
Anyway, in a fit of impulse-buying, I ordered an Onkyo A-9555 class D integrated amp, which has been enthusiastically reviewed and recommended by both Absolute Sound and Stereophile.
So whaddaya all think? Has amplifier development come far enough in the past 22 years that a high quality MIJ class D integrated could give a handmade boutique old school AB amp from the '80s a run for the money? I know I'll find out in a couple of weeks, but which way do you think it'll go?
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- 18 posts total
- 18 posts total