Solid State Power Amp Reviews

Pass Labs X1000 monoblock power amplifier

Jonathan Scull Jun 06, 2004 First Published: Jun 01, 1999

Pass Laboratories' X amplifier series represents the efforts of designer Nelson Pass to prove that simple linear amplifier topologies can be scaled to provide high-quality audio performance at very high power levels. The handsome X1000 monoblock under scrutiny here, the largest and most powerful amp in the Pass stable, makes 1000W into 8 ohms and a mighty 2000W into 4 ohms. The amplifier has no global negative feedback, and only two gain stages: the front-end provides all the voltage gain and feeds a high-current follower stage.

Solid State Power Amp Reviews

NAD 218 THX power amplifier

Robert J. Reina May 02, 2004 First Published: Aug 01, 1999

The story of New Acoustic Dimensions, aka NAD, begins in the late 1970s. The company was founded as a dealer distribution collective to design and market reasonably priced serious high-end gear to cost-constrained audiophiles. By eliminating needless features and focusing manufacturing in low-cost production facilities, NAD has successfully delivered audiophile-quality gear for 20 years at prices little more expensive than mass-market department-store schlock.

Solid State Power Amp Reviews

47 Laboratory 4706 Gaincard power amplifier

Robert Deutsch Apr 11, 2004 First Published: Dec 01, 2001

As technology develops, things get more and more complicated. With every update of Windows, the program offers greater flexibility, but runs slower and makes greater demands on hardware. Automobiles have become so complex that only the most highly trained mechanics are able to fix even a minor malfunction. Surround-sound processors come with inch-thick owner's manuals.

Solid State Power Amp Reviews

Adcom GFA-7805 five-channel power amplifier

Kalman Rubinson Mar 28, 2004 First Published: Mar 01, 2004

For me, the iconic Adcom power amplifier was the GFA-555. As an aspiring audiophile, I was deeply impressed with Tony">http://www.stereophile.com/amplificationreviews/678">Tony Cordesman's review in Stereophile in 1985 (Vol.8 No.4). That did it! After years of kit-building and doing it myself, the '555 was the first factory-built amp that I wanted and could afford. Over the years, I changed speakers several times, and even added a fully regulated power supply to the '555, but it never balked. At the end of its tenure at my house, it had been demoted to my third-string backup; today it's making someone else tap his toes.

Solid State Power Amp Reviews

Hovland Radia power amplifier

Paul Bolin Mar 21, 2004 First Published: Mar 01, 2004

For better or for worse, appearances can make a profound first impression. Think of the bold, muscular curves of an Audi TT coupe, the planes and facets of a Lamborghini Murcielago, the sleek lines of a Gulfstream jet. In these vehicles, function and art are combined with smooth facility and perfect aesthetic balance.

Solid State Power Amp Reviews

Theta Digital Enterprise monoblock power amplifier

Michael Fremer Mar 21, 2004 First Published: Mar 01, 2004

Monoblock power amplifiers seem to be moving in and out of my listening room faster than green-onion salsa from Chi-Chi's. Over the past six months I've had the Parasound">http://www.stereophile.com/amplificationreviews/774">Parasound Halo JC-1, the Halcro dm68, the Pass">http://www.stereophile.com/amplificationreviews/1103pass">Pass XA-160, the Musical">http://www.stereophile.com/amplificationreviews/104mf">Musical Fidelity kW, and now these 300W (into 8 ohms), $4500-each beauties from Theta Digital. All of these amps sounded as different as they looked, which was no surprise; too bad the "measures the same, sounds the same" dogmatists remain open for business.

Solid State Power Amp Reviews

Pass Labs XA160 monoblock power amplifier

Michael Fremer Nov 30, 2003 First Published: Nov 01, 2003

Before the advent of big-screen projection televisions, manhood was measured more conventionally: by the size of one's crate-sized, boat-anchor-heavy, brushed-aluminum-fronted power amplifiers. Those days are long gone.

Solid State Power Amp Reviews

Mark Levinson No.436 monoblock power amplifier

Larry Greenhill Aug 24, 2003 First Published: Aug 24, 2003

All high-end audio companies turn over their product lines periodically. Even those amplifiers I have depended on as references go out of production. Although my reference amplifier can remain a part of the reviewing sequence, readers won't be able to purchase a discontinued model and get the results I describe. Thus I am compelled to get a review sample of a new amplifier or speaker, and hope for the best.

Solid State Power Amp Reviews

Classé Omega monoblock power amplifier

Brian Damkroger Jul 13, 2003 First Published: Jul 13, 2003

Have you ever had one of those conversations with your Significant Other that begins "But I thought you said..." and goes downhill from there? The Other's tone is condescending, and the body language—hands on hips, head slightly tilted—lets you know you're in big trouble.

Solid State Power Amp Reviews

Lamm Industries M2.1 monoblock power amplifier

Paul Bolin Apr 13, 2003 First Published: Apr 13, 2003

How did Michael Jordan, talented as he was at the peak of his powers, always manage to impose his will on his teammates to push them to victory when it counted most? What made Sandy Koufax able to elevate his pitching to a superhuman level when the stakes were highest? A knowledgeable, hardcore sports fan can watch the performance of two players with nearly identical statistics and, after not too long, tell you which one is merely very good and which one is great. What makes a star are intangibles—those qualities you can't quantify or analyze, but can't help but recognize when you're in their presence.