Columns Retired Columns & Blogs |
Excellent review!!! How would you compare it to the ARC REF 160s?
Description: Tubed class-AB monoblock power amplifier. Tube complement: one 12SJ7 (input), two 12SN7 (driver), four KT150 (output). Inputs: 1 pair single-ended (RCA), 1 pair balanced (XLR). Outputs: 1 pair binding posts. Output power: min. 160W into 4 ohms (19dBW) (other output options available by special order). Frequency response (1W): 10Hz75kHz, ±1dB. Input impedance: 47k ohms (balanced, single-ended). Output impedance: 0.5 ohm. Damping factor: 10. Hum & noise: >90dB below 0dBW (1W) output (A weighting). Sensitivity: 1.4V (full output).
Dimensions: 17" (430mm) W by 10" (255mm) H by 19" (485mm) D. Weight: 70 lb (31.75kg) net, 86 lb (39kg) shipping.
Finish: Silver/gray; custom options available.
Serial numbers of units reviewed: 1803, 1805.
Price: $35,995/pair. Approximate number of dealers: 6. Warranty: 2 years parts, 4 years labor, 180 days tubes.
Manufacturer: Doshi Audio, Elwye Building , Suite 230, 17932 Fraley Blvd., Dumfries, VA 22026. Tel: (917) 952-2758. Web: www.doshiaudio.com.
Excellent review!!! How would you compare it to the ARC REF 160s?
Since my associated equipment remained consistent for both reviews, which were done consecutively, all you need do is read the descriptions of sound and features.
"The Heart is more treacherous than anything, who can know it"?
I wonder how an interested ( civilian ) Person achieves a Confidant Decision on things like Amplifiers?
I explored quite a few before settling on Electrocompaniet but I had trusting Manufactures willing to make loans of their gear for timely decisions.
If this Doshi Amplifier finds it's way into "Long Term Loan" position for Mr.JVS's reviewing duties, I'll be suitably impressed. I used Electrocompaniet Mono Amps supported by the measly Conrad-Johnson MV-45a Tube Amp for careful evaluations. The Electrocompaniet was farrrrrrrrrrrr better than the Sweet little CJ ( bless it's heart ).
Mr.JVS doing Tube reviews, hmm, Kevin Deal is taking notice. It's kinda like a Learjet Pilot doing a review of a Cessna 150 by comparing it to a Gulfstream g10. Is there a record player review on the horizon?
I'll hope for a Kii review, comparing it to those Big Wilsons, wondering if the Kii will become a welcome addition to the Main House.
Tony in Michigan
If JVS starts reviewing analog gear, he may decide that all those hi-res files converted to vinyl LPs, sound better than the original hi-res recordings/files :-) ............
Who would do stupid stuff like that???
that's Crazeyyyyyyyyyyy, isn't it?
tony in Michigan
Not at all ....... If we own a $200,000 turntable with a $50,000 tonearm and $15,000 phono-cartridge, all vinyl LPs should sound 'heavenly' :-) ...........
One thing,
I prefer the way Robert Deutsch reports on prices. I am picturing these for 3,600 dollars per pair.
If only!
I promise at least one price finger slip in the coming year. What I can't promise is in which direction it will go.
Oh ...... I forgot to mention ........ JVS is also gonna tell us that he is not the same guy as that 'my pillow' guy :-) .........
May be JVS could consider trying one of the PS audio power conditioner/regenerators to stabilize the voltage fluctuations? ......... PS audio P-20 was favorably reviewed in Stereophile :-) ..........
What should we have in the 'desert island'? .......... Filet mignon and chocolate cake or tofu stir-fry and sugar-free dessert? ......... Hmm ... tough choice :-) ...........
... any hi-res recordings when the amp's distortion levels equate to about 10-bit resolution. Presumably that's the trade-off to be made if you prefer to have the "gray areas fill[ed] in with different shades of living color."
Interesting to note that the amp's distortion is predominantly third harmonic, while one would typically expect to see mainly second harmonic distortion from a tube type amp. Wonder how the sound quality of this amp would appeal to second harmonic distortion fan AD? Maybe JA can drive the amps up to AD because they might not survive shipping.
They could switch and listen to vinyl LPs and analog compact cassette tapes, which have about 10 bit SNR .......... They can also listen to most of the streaming websites, which do about max. 8 bit SNR streaming :-) ..........
May be JVS could start reviewing some OTL tube amps and single-ended triode tube amps? ........... Why stop here? :-) .............
More filet mignons and chocolate cakes please :-) ............
Tubes are the worst kind of addiction there is .......... Once anybody gets hooked on to them, any amount of rehab can't cure that addiction ........ Don't you get mesmerized just looking at those glowing tubes? Transistors are awfully ugly looking, don't you think? :-) .........