Counterpoint SA-100 power amplifier

Counterpoint SA-100 power amplifier

May 06, 2007 First Published:Apr 06, 1991

The $1200 Counterpoint SA-100 amplifier came up to bat fourth in my listening sessions, behind (in order of appearance) the <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com/solidpoweramps/678">Adcom GFA-555 II</A> (not reviewed here, but sent along by JA for comparison purposes), the <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com/tubepoweramps/491vtl">VTL Tiny Triode</A> monoblocks, and the <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com/solidpoweramps/491muse">Muse Model One Hundred</A>. Thus, my progression went from bipolar solid-state to tube to MOSFET, with a wide spread of sonic characteristics between them: stygian bass from the Adcom; uncanny spatial presentation and vocal reproduction from the VTLs; and an overall superior sound from the Muse. I was therefore eager to see where the tube/MOSFET hybrid Counterpoint would fall in this group of very different-sounding amplifiers.

Sumo Polaris II power amplifier Specifications

Sumo Polaris II power amplifier Specifications

What's in a name? Quite a bit, when you stop and think about it. Would you rather have prostate surgery by Dr. Steadyhand or Dr. Whoops? Names imply a lot, even if we don't consciously make the connection; that's why your Polo shirt was made by Ralph Lauren instead of Ralph Lipshitz.

Company Info

SUMO-Music Communications Systems Inc.
No longer trading

Sumo Polaris II power amplifier Measurements

Sumo Polaris II power amplifier Measurements

What's in a name? Quite a bit, when you stop and think about it. Would you rather have prostate surgery by Dr. Steadyhand or Dr. Whoops? Names imply a lot, even if we don't consciously make the connection; that's why your Polo shirt was made by Ralph Lauren instead of Ralph Lipshitz.

Company Info

SUMO-Music Communications Systems Inc.
No longer trading

Sumo Polaris II power amplifier Postscript: Turning the Other Cheek

Sumo Polaris II power amplifier Postscript: Turning the Other Cheek

What's in a name? Quite a bit, when you stop and think about it. Would you rather have prostate surgery by Dr. Steadyhand or Dr. Whoops? Names imply a lot, even if we don't consciously make the connection; that's why your Polo shirt was made by Ralph Lauren instead of Ralph Lipshitz.

Company Info

SUMO-Music Communications Systems Inc.
No longer trading

Sumo Polaris II power amplifier Page 2

Sumo Polaris II power amplifier Page 2

What's in a name? Quite a bit, when you stop and think about it. Would you rather have prostate surgery by Dr. Steadyhand or Dr. Whoops? Names imply a lot, even if we don't consciously make the connection; that's why your Polo shirt was made by Ralph Lauren instead of Ralph Lipshitz.

Company Info

SUMO-Music Communications Systems Inc.
No longer trading

Sumo Polaris II power amplifier

Sumo Polaris II power amplifier

May 06, 2007 First Published:Apr 06, 1991

What's in a name? Quite a bit, when you stop and think about it. Would you rather have prostate surgery by Dr. Steadyhand or Dr. Whoops? Names imply a lot, even if we don't consciously make the connection; that's why your Polo shirt was made by Ralph Lauren instead of Ralph Lipshitz.

Equipment between speakers - why?

Forums
General Rants 'n' Raves
Submitted by imispgh on

Far more often than not I see people putting their equipment in between their speakers. Why? Doesn't this screw up the image? if it doesn't screw it up due to reflections it surely makes it harder to "visualize" the players? In every room I set up I have nothing behind or between my speakers and it helps the "visualization". As a matter of fact I have front ported speakers just so I can listen in nearfield-ish(8ft) and I have at least 7ft of open space behind the speakers.

Sub $1000

Forums
The Entry Level
Submitted by DaveD on

Hello... this is my first post. I have a question to ask and do so with a certain amount of fear and trepidation...

I'm looking for a best 'bang for buck' system for playing CD and DVDs in the sub $1000 range. When I say 'system', I mean amp, speakers (2.0, 2.1, 5.1, anything), CD/DVDP, the lot.

I realise this is a high-end type forum, but owing to financial constraints, I'm still hoping that there may be some advice from experienced audiophiles for the price-range I can afford.

Alternate DAC choices - need rated

Submitted by gaugustine on

First, I want to congratulate Stereophile for offering more reviews of affordable choices in HiFi gear; this is a welcome re-awakening!

I started out looking to replace my old CD player, and find myself hoping for a music server, e.g., Olive, although price considerations may force me to go the music player, DAC, HDD route.

Most of your reviews on media players/servers talk about hooking them up to the Benchmark DAC 1, which retails for $950, a not inconsiderable price on its own.

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