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D'Agostino Momentum amp melts down

The latest issue of Stereophile tests the Momentum amplifier and amp number 1 melts down during the precondition test. Atkinson is afraid to subject amp number 2 to the same test and only runs it for 1/2 as long as the standard test.

Parasound, Bryston, and others pass this test but the Momentum can't? Then they act like it's no big deal like it melted down. So, if that's the case, why perform the test?

The manufacturer response doesn't remark on the melt down. I would think Dan would be duly embarrassed but what the heck, those copper heat sinks sure look great.

Would a prospective buyer (not me) be hesitant to power an inefficient speaker to loud levels with this amp?

rhljazz
don_c55
1,025 posts
 
This amp will be unreliable. This should NEVER happen! The heatsink design is
BS!

The preconditioning is just a warmup to get the amp to a stable temperature for
testing.

BUYER BEWARE!
gregadd
574 posts
 
Taken form Sterophile review of Dartzeel amp

"I ran it at 1/3 its rated power into 8 ohms for 60 minutes, which thermally is the worst case for an amplifier with a class-A/B output stage. At the end of that period, while the shrouded heatsink on the amplifier's rear was too hot to keep my hand on, at 63.5°C/146°F, the top of the enclosure was ":

That is an extreme situation. This is probably an isolated incident with no real world application. No other reports that I a aware. It was tested by Martin Colloms.
rlwainwright
1,904 posts
 
Atkinson *should* have run the 2nd exactly as he ran the 1st. If it blew up, he should report it. What is it with these guys giving a pass on this gear. If it can't cut it, WE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT IT!!

-RW-
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