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This Month's Featured Equipment Reviews |
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Power Amplifier Forum Topics: |
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Classic Power Amplifier Reviews |
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Past Power Amplifier News |
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Stereo Amplifiers
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Monday, 09 March 2009
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Written by
Robert Mead
The importance of having the absolutely correct amplifier that sends the proper amount of power to your audio systems’ loudspeakers cannot be understated. And especially if your system at home features high-end speakers such as Paradigm monitors or a set of Anthony Gallo Acoustics Reference speakers, you should make sure that you purchase the right type of power amplifier to drive your loudspeakers to their peak levels, while never causing distortion in the process; which brings me to the McIntosh MC252 Power Amplifier. This power amp weighs around 95 pounds, stands about 10 inches tall and delivers a powerful 250 watts per channel.The sleek design of this power amp will fit right at home alongside your main audio rack components and the McIntosh blue light emanating from the power output displays on either side of the amp distinguishes this product ...
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Friday, 01 August 2008
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Written by
Brian Kahn
Introduction
Halcro amplifiers have built themselves quite an impressive reputation in the last few years. I remember first hearing Halcro at a 2003 CES DTS exhibit. The exhibit had the gorgeous huge H-shaped monoblocks placed next to each speaker. Shortly thereafter, several other audio magazines reviewed the various available Halcro amplifiers with much praise; one even called a Halcro amplifier “the best amplifier ever.” Recently, I have had the opportunity to review home theater components from Halcro’s lower-priced and more attainable Logic series. As one can imagine, I was quite excited when Halcro offered me a chance to review their DM38, a stereo amplifier from their Reference series. I was anxious to see if Halcro could transfer the sonic qualities from their reference monoblocks to the DM38, which at $20,000 is the least expensive amplifier in their Reference line, and whether ...
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Saturday, 01 November 2003
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Written by
Christopher Zell, Ph.D.
Introduction
I
have always considered Nelson Pass one of the founding figures in
high-end audio. He has a long history of innovative amplifier and
preamplifier designs, dating back to the ‘70s with one of the first
successful high-end corporations, Threshold. I am very familiar with
Pass’ amplifiers, and have owned a variety of Threshold components
through the years. I have also kept an eye on his very active DIY
career, which includes informative design articles and numerous DIY
projects. Not having any exposure yet to any of the products from his
latest company, Pass Laboratories, I was very curious and enthusiastic
about auditioning the subject of this review, the X150.5 stereo power
amplifier, and indeed I had high expectations to meet. Although the
X150.5 is the baby in the current X series of amplifiers, it is by no
means small in any way, specified at 150 watts per channel into eight
ohms, and priced at ...
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Wednesday, 01 October 2003
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Written by
Augie Bettencourt
Introduction
In
America, we love things big. We buy big houses, big vehicles and when
we eat, we “super-size” our meals. We like monster trucks and enjoy
watching big athletes play in the “Super Bowl” on our big-screen TVs.
Therefore it’s no wonder that there is a market for huge audio
amplifiers. For over 20 years, Krell Industries has been famous for
making some of the biggest, baddest and most powerful amplifiers in the
world.
The Krell FPB (Full Power Balanced) 700cx is Krell’s latest
top-of-the-line amplifier in the FPB stereo amplifier line-up. The
amplifier retails for $14,000 and is rated at 700 watts per channel
into eight ohms, 1400 watts into four ohms and a whopping 2800 watts
into two ohms. Having recently reviewed the Krell FPB 400cx, I was
reminded of the Krell’s top build quality. Weighing in at 180 pounds
and measuring 19 inches wide, 10.3 inches tall and 25.5 inches deep,
makes ...
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Tuesday, 01 July 2003
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Written by
Brian Kahn
Introduction
Over
the past couple of years, Anthem has risen from the shadows of Sonic
Frontiers, its former big brother, to become a formidable brand for
value conscious AV consumers. The PVA 2 is the latest in Anthem’s quest
to provide high-performing, high-value electronics at a price point
that the average person can afford. The PVA 2 is a 125-watts per
channel, no-frills stereo amplifier that sells for $649. The PVA 2
measures 17.25 inches wide, is five-and-one-quarter inches tall, 11
inches deep and weighs 26 pounds.
The PVA 2, like the rest of Anthem’s current line, features clean,
unpretentious styling. The attractive yet simple front panel is
manufactured from three-eighths of an inch thick, brushed aluminum,
available in either silver or black. The face of the PVA 2 is
decisively sparse, with nothing more than a logo, a power light and a
button to power the amp. The remaining surfaces of the amplifier
feature a ...
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