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I'd take a 911 S all day over the Maybach!
Description: Hybrid class-D monoblock power amplifier. One 12AU7 vacuum tube, ICEedge ouput module. Inputs: 1 balanced (XLR), 1 single-ended (RCA), DC trigger. Outputs: 2 pair five-way binding posts. Output power (1kHz, 1% THD): 600W into 8 ohms, 1200W into 4 ohms (both 27.8dBW). Frequency response (2.8V RMS into 4 ohms): 10Hz45kHz, ±3dB. Voltage gain: 30.5dB, ±0.5dB. Sensitivity: 2.08V for rated output power. Input impedance: single-ended, 50k ohms; balanced, 100k ohms. Damping factor (50Hz, 2.8V RMS), 8 ohms: >1100; 4 ohms: >550. THD: <0.005% (1kHz, 1W, 4 ohms); <0.02% (1kHz, 150W, 4 ohms). Signal/noise: >112dB ref. 1kHz at rated power. Power consumption: 27W (idle), 209W (1/8 power into 4 ohms); 1.55kW (into 4 ohms at rated power output). All measurements for Specifications conducted via the balanced input.
Dimensions: 17" (430mm) W × 3.75" (95.25mm) H × 13" (330mm) D (including feet, connectors, knobs). Weight: 27lb (12.24kg) net, 29lb (13.1kg) shipping.
Finishes: Black, Silver.
Serial numbers of units reviewed: S12-A1-0G0032/33. "Built in Boulder, Colorado."
Price: $5998/pair. Sold factory direct.
Manufacturer: PS Audio, 4826 Sterling Dr. Boulder, CO 80301. Tel: (720) 406-8946. Web: psaudio.com.
I'd take a 911 S all day over the Maybach!
Agree completely with MF assessment on the class D sound , Fast , punchy and very musical on recordings which changes direction and pace often, only to be let down by their poor timbre , especially on piano’s were everything sounds like a magical keyboard ..
Flatter to deceive they do very well ..!
Regards
Nice review. But it seems like it would be more appropriate to compare this amp to conventional high powered budget offerings from Parasound, Bryston and Musical Fidelity than to a super amp. After all this is probably the choice confronting folks in this price class.
Agreed, we should at least know how it stacks up against similarly priced things.
Other reviews seem to notice similar issues that are cleared up by adding a tube damper and making sure the tubes are fully seated in their sockets. And a few hundred hours of burn in to let the vibrating elements find their seating. Some also have noticed that not stacking them helps, too.
Go figure. Sounds like a nice effort.
The reviewer wasn't all that happy, yet they rated it as a "class A" so I don't know what they are trying to say.
... really are, especially compared to a pair of the NAD C298 amps, which use the Purifi amp modules and have a rated output in bridged-mono configuration of 1kW @ 8Ω and 1.1kW @ 4Ω - all for $4K/pair.
mmm with more mmm .. will be enough for my WB Chimera .? I don't think they are enough, after this review.