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In the Forum: Audio Discussions
In the Thread: Two-stages, hybrid, small, powerful class “A”?
Post Subject: Re: Michael Framer's amplifier?Posted by morricab on: 5/8/2006
Hi Romy,
I did the review on the AcousticPlan amp, called the "Santor". It is indeed a two-stage amp using 4 6922 tubes in parallel to drive a high Bias Mosfet output stage (it is class A to approximately 15 watts and runs very hot). It is rated at 50 watts 8 ohms and 100 watts 4 ohms. The first stage is simply a grounded cathode arrangement, thus the need for multiple triode sections in parallel.
Sonically, I found this amp to be of a very high caliber. In many ways it was superior to my own 3 stage hybrid (Sphinx Project 14MkIII...also no feedback and Class A to about 20 watts). I think for relatively sensitive speakers (90db or greater) the Acousticplan amp has more than ample power. It drove both my Apogees (3 ohms) and Acoustats (3 ohms in the bass and high treble plus quite reactive) with no problems and it drove a friend's Apogee Divas with no problem.
I am now in the process of reviewing the Acousticplan Sarod preamp that has only 1 dual triode for both channels in the linestage. It is a simple grounded cathode that is transformer coupled to the output. So that's it 1 triode stage per channel for the line stage. Output impedance is 200 ohms. The power supply is an all tube affair with shunt regulation. The sound from the line stage is phenomenally good. One of the best I have heard. The phono stage is more complex and uses all transformer coupling between the two active stages and then transformer coupling between phono and line sections. Also, excellent sound. The phono section I feel is not the equal of the line section. Another top preamp I have on hand that you should seriously consider is the latest creation from Allen Wright of Vacuumstate, the RTP-3D. The phono is the best I have so far had the privelege of hearing. The linestage is also at the top.
I know of one other amp on the market that is just as simple and it comes from Monarchy Audio. This amp is using 1 tube per monoblock (in an SRPP configuration I believe) coupled to a Mosfet output. It has no feedback, is rated Class A to 50 watts with power available up to either 160 watts or 250 watts (depending on the model). It is also a very good sounding amp. The best news about the Monarchy is that it only costs about $2500 for the PAIR. www.monarchyaudio.com
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