Dan D’Agostino Master Audio Systems today announced the Progression series, a new line of components designed to deliver D’Agostino-quality sound at more affordable prices. The first component in the new series, the 800-watt Progression mono amplifier, will debut at International CES, January 6-9, 2016, in Las Vegas, NV. The Progression mono will be shown at the Dan D’Agostino Master Audio Systems room, Suite 30-122 at the Venetian Hotel, and demonstrated in the EgglestonWorks room, Suite 30-212.
The Progression mono amplifier is the largest and most powerful the company has made to date, delivering 800 watts into 8 ohms, doubling to 1,600 watts into 4 ohms and doubling again to 3,200 watts into 2 ohms. It employs a fully complementary driver stage, beefed up with 84 output transistors, a 4000 VA power supply transformer and 400,000 microfarads of power supply storage capacitance.
The iconic look of the Momentum amplifiers’ power meters, inspired by the elegant faces of classic Swiss watches, continues with the Progression series. The Progression mono amplifier features a new meter design with a 270-degree needle swing, driven by a high-speed ballistic circuit that enhances the meter’s responsiveness. The longer swing allows the needle to cover the amplifier’s entire output range.
The venturi heatsink design premiered in the Momentum amplifiers has been adapted to the cooling needs of the Progression mono amplifier by adding a second row of venturis to each heatsink. Each heatsink is milled from a single, 48.5-pound (22-kilogram) aluminum billet.
“With the Momentum series amplifiers, I focused on combining high power output with a relatively small form factor. But I knew some of our customers had a desire for a larger, more powerful amp at a somewhat more affordable price,” company founder and chief engineer Dan D’Agostino said. “That’s why we created the Progression series.
“These components are a little more affordable than the Momentum series, in large part because we used aluminum instead of copper for the heatsinks,” D’Agostino continued. “Progression doesn’t quite match the sonics of Momentum, but these components still have most of the hallmarks of Momentum, including through-hole construction for the best sound quality and durability, and the same unmistakable, elegant look. Like all our products, the Progression series components will be built by hand in our Arizona factory, under my personal supervision.”
The Progression mono amplifier is projected to ship in the first quarter of 2016 at $36,000 per pair MSRP, and will be available in silver or black finish. The Progression mono amplifier will be followed by a stereo amplifier, a stereo preamp and a lifestyle amplifier similar to the Momentum Lifestyle MLife integrated amplifier/DAC/streamer.
The Progression mono amplifier will be shown on static display at the Dan D’Agostino Master Audio Systems room, Suite 30-122 at the Venetian Hotel, and demonstrated in the EgglestonWorks room, Suite 30-212, where it will be driving the new EgglestonWorks Ivy SE speaker.
Preliminary Specifications
Power
800 watts @ 8Ω
1,600 watts @ 4Ω
3,200 watts @ 2Ω
Frequency Response
1 Hz to 200 kHz, -1 dB
20Hz to 20 kHz, ±0.1 dB
Distortion
800 watts @ 8Ω
0.15% @ 1 kHz
Signal-to-Noise Ratio
105 dB, unweighted
Inputs
1 balanced XLR
Input Impedance
100 KΩ
Output Impedance
0.15Ω
Dimensions
18 x 20 x 7.5 in.
Weight
150 lbs.
