Introduction A fact of life in the high-end world is that amplifiers are heavy, obtrusive square chassis with massive heat sinks. However, that is about to change with the release of Sharp’s SM-SX100 1-bit amplifier. The stylish silver chassis with colored accents looks more like an executive shelf component than the 100-watt 2 channel, $15,000 amplifier that delivers clean, unaltered sound, bringing digital technology to what was once a purely analog product. The SM-SX100 is rated with an amazing frequency response of 5 – 100 kHz. Okay, we mere humans can’t hear much above 18 kHz (if we’re lucky), but the extended range ensures a flat response throughout the audible range and a reproduction range commonly associated with analog signals. It is capable of driving a speaker with an 18-inch woofer, yielding devastating subsonic frequencies, while driving the tweeter and midrange effortlessly. Dynamic range is measured at 105 dB, though the theoretical dynamic range associated with ...

Introduction The Outlaw Audio Model 750 is the first product from a new and different audio company. Outlaw Audio products can only be bought from the manufacturer, eliminating distributors, dealers and their associated mark-ups. This allows the Model 750 to sell for the competitive price of $1,099. With the Model 750, you get a lot for your money. The 750 provides 165 watts in each of its five channels. A 1.5kVA toroidal transformer feeds the individual channel power supplies. The power supplies for each channel are isolated and contain two secondary windings, 20,000 microfarads capacitance, six discrete output devices and large heatsinks, eliminating the need for a noisy fan. The front panel has a button for power and the Outlaw Audio logo. The rear panel has five sets of inputs of unbalanced inputs and five-way binding posts, a captive power cord and a 12-volt trigger input to automatically power up the unit. The Sound The Model 750 did not ...

Introduction Home theater is clearly the driving force behind the high end audio video market. However, very few music and film enthusiasts are willing to sacrifice pure music playback in order to enjoy the addictive sizzle of home theater. We want the best of both worlds. Enter the Proceed AMP 5. With Proceed being the little brother to the two-channel giant Mark Levinson, the AMP 5 shares many of the advantages and design cues found on the more pricey Levinson gear, while being nicely packaged for multi-channel use. The Proceed AMP 5 is a five-channel, single chassis THX-certified, power amplifier rated at 125 watts x 5 into 8 ohms and 250 watts x 5 into 4 ohms. Priced at $4995, the AMP 5 is the perfect partner for Proceed's AV preamp, the AVP, also priced at $4995. The Proceed AMP 5 accepts both balanced and unbalanced signals, changeable by the flip of a switch. ...

Introduction The MCA5 is the first five-channel amplifier from Anthem. It is part of their new MCA series and retails for $1,399. Unlike the majority of products in the Sonic Frontiers and Anthem lines, the MCA series is solid state. The MCA series of multi-channel amplifiers offers 200 watts per channel in two-, three- and five-channel configurations. The description below applies to all three amplifiers in the series unless otherwise noted. The back panel contains single-ended and balanced inputs for each channel, an iec standard power cord socket and a DC relay trigger socket and switch to control the auto-on circuitry. This switch lets you choose from three different modes, manual on, trigger and auto on. In the auto on mode, the amplifier switches itself on after sensing an input signal. The sleek and deep chassis is well finished and is a bit unusual as you can see through the top and out the bottom ...

Introduction When I think of enormous power, I think of a Big-Block Chevy, or perhaps the military’s M1A1 tank. In audio -- Bryston has given us the 7B-ST monoblock power amplifiers. At a solid 500 watts per side, they have the power to move mountains, or at least the most difficult to drive loudspeakers. The 7B-ST consists of two monoblock amplifiers, each providing 500 watts of power into 2 or 8 ohms, and 800 watts into 1 to 4 ohms. Each chassis measures 19 inches wide, 15-1/2 inches deep, and five and one quarter inches tall. The 7B-ST’s weigh 42 lbs per piece, and are priced at $4999 for the pair. The Bryston factory warrantee is nothing short of spectacular. They provide a 20-year transferable warrantee on all parts and labor. This in itself indicates the confidence that Bryston has with the reliability of their products. The review units were the first of the new look ...