D’Agostino Momentum S250 Stereo Amplifier

Dan D’Agostino Master Audio Systems Upgrades Momentum Stereo Amplifier to Momentum S250 Performance Level

Flagship stereo amplifier upgraded with advanced circuitry and 250W power output

CAVE CREEK, AZ, JANUARY 4, 2015 — Dan D’Agostino Master Audio Systems, the company founded by famed audio designer Dan D’Agostino, is releasing a major upgrade to the company’s flagship Momentum stereo amplifier. Recently, Dan D’Agostino Master Audio Systems announced the M400 upgrade to the Momentum monaural amplifier. Now, these upgrades have been applied to the Momentum Stereo amplifier resulting in the new Momentum S250.

As with the Momentum M400 mono, the new Momentum S250 stereo amplifier receives a power upgrade, now delivering 250 Watts/channel into 8 Ohms. This is up from the original 200 Watt/channel specification. A 20% increase in transformer size, now 1,800VA, provides the engine for this output power increase. Connected to this larger power source is a new output stage design that includes a number of major enhancements.

The driver section has received a major revision and now features a fully complementary signal path with individual transistors employed for the positive and negative halves of the musical signal. Current drive is nearly doubled which feeds a new output stage with an open loop gain increased by the same factor of two.

“After hearing the benefits these enhancements made to the Momentum monos, I felt compelled to add them to the Momentum stereo amplifier.” said Dan D’Agostino. D’Agostino continues, “Even more exciting is that we can offer these upgrades to original Momentum stereo amplifier customers.”

The Momentum S250 employs the same chassis with a small aesthetic design change to the copper feature on the faceplate sides. Additionally, the meter now displays a scale appropriate for the greater power output.

Current Momentum stereo amplifiers can be upgraded to the Momentum S250 performance level. Included in the upgrade is the new 250 Watt meter plate and all electrical component upgrades.

The retail price for the upgrade is $7,500 and is performed at the Dan D’Agostino Master Audio Systems facility in Cave Creek, AZ.

BSC Audio i3 Integrated Music System.

Coming Q2 2016, BSC Audio will be introducing the i3, its first Integrated Music System.

In collaboration with Andreas Koch (Playback Designs) and Bret D’Agostino (BSC Audio), the BSC Audio i3 will integrate a high bias class A/B 175 Watt amplifier with discrete ladder volume control and hi-resolution, DSD capable DAC.

i3 – features:

Plays any audio file from external analogue or digital source.
Features a full Android based operating system allowing easy access to a wide variety of Android Apps.

A complete all-in-one audio solution for analogue, digital and streaming sources that provides true high fidelity performance.

D'Agostino Progression mono amplifier

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.

VAC Phi 170 iQ stereo amplifier

$9900


The all new VAC Phi 170 at first glance may seem like a normal 85 watt per channel stereo amplifier. Sure, it can be switched into a 170 watt monoblock, and it has a fully balanced input mode too, yet the real breakthrough is inside!

For the VAC Phi 170 is equipped with the company's revolutionary patented iQ Continuous Automatic Bias System. VAC's iQ is the only system able to hold each output vacuum tube's true underlying idle current perfectly steady at all times. Say goodbye manual adjustment, bias drift, thermal tracking effects, runaway tubes, and blown fuses. Say hello to more detail, increased extension and punch, lower noise, less distortion, and high reliability. It will even tell you when it's time to replace weak tubes!


The Phi 170 with iQ System provides superior sound... only from VAC!


Specifications:

Vacuum tube power amplifier with transformer coupled output

VAC iQ Continuous Automatic Bias System

Class A1 triode input and driver stages

Direct coupled input and driver stages

Frequency response is from 4 Hz to 71 kHz (+0/-3 dB)

Residual Noise is typically >95dB below rated output

Input impedance is 200k Ohms stereo balanced and 100 Ohms unbalanced

Gain is 30dB stereo balanced and 31dB mono balanced

Vacuum tube compliment is four type 6SN7 and four type KT88

Compatible with KT120 and KT150

Low feedback design (6dB)

12 volt trigger

Detachable power cord, IEC receptacle

Switch settings for fully balanced XLR or unbalanced RCA input

Stereo or mono operation

Power Output is 85 watts/channel stereo or 170 watts mono

Loudspeaker taps include 1 to 2 Ohms, 2 to 4 Ohms and 4 to 8 Ohms

Connectors are Cardas rhodium RCA jacks and Neutrik XLR jacks

Cardas rhodium loudspeaker binding posts

Dimensions are 17.8" x 14.2" x 8.5" (WxDxH)

Weight is 68 lbs.

Valve Audio Devices DAC-12 R

£5840


Two distinct digital to analogue converters in one chassis – one for PCM, one for DSD

Dual mono PCM with 24bit/192kHz and 126dB dynamic range (hybrid converters, current steer, 7 D/A blocks per channel, mixed method; R ladder/Σ-Δ)

Separate DSP-free DSD-to-analogue conversion

VAD system is based on filtering DSD’s raw PDM bitstream to reconstruct the analogue waveform (designed for DSD only; 1bit direct, 6th order Σ-Δ with LPF)

DSD64, DSD128 native playback of 2.8 – 6.2MHz DSD from USB input

Dual mono triode valve analogue output

User controllable oversampling for PCM data

NOS mode (NX) developed especially for CD Audio resolution: 16 and 24bit PCM 44.1/48kHz sample rate; all digital inputs

MX mode – 2x oversampling; DAC plays PCM 16/24bit/44.1 to 96kHz from all digital inputs

HI mode – 4 x oversampling; DAC plays PCM 16/24bit/44.1 to 176.4kHz from SPDiF input and up to 24bit/192kHz from USB

DAC is free of upsampling in PCM and any digital manipulation in DSD

Audio streaming modes accepted from your computer/server: ASIO Direct, WASAPI /Exclusive(Win7/8), Kernel Streaming DoP, ASIO DoP; Developed and tested with JRiver18,19,20, Audirvana+, HQPlayer

Automatic format switch – DAC ‘sees’ which music format is coming from computer or music server and automatically connects the relevant conversion platform (DSD for DSD, PCM for PCM)

Full integration with mixed playlists/formats music servers

DSD playback automatically adapts to DSD rate

Remote controlled digital inputs, preamplifier input, volume, mute, standby, HT bypass input

1x multiformat USB and two coaxial digital inputs for traditional CD transports (AES/EBU, TOSlink option)

R2R-ladder gain/volume control based on non-inductive resistor network controlled by logic circuit and Takamisawa signal relays. Only two resistors in signal ‘path’ at any given time- manual and remote controlled

Line pre-amplifier input. Preamplifier input works with volume control

HT bypass input via extra pair of RCA s (signal goes directly to valve stage bypassing volume control, output via main SE outputs)

Point to point engineered valve output stage on dedicated sub-chassis

Topology; SE, grounded cathode amplifier cascading directly into cathode follower, pure class A, no NFB/PFB, low output impedance (Z out;100 ohm),  high current drive – output via main SE outputs

Silver signal wiring

Non inductive Holco, Dale resistors thorough

Special selection of signal output capacitors, long researched for the sound in VAD circuits (paralleled; Copper/waxed paper in oil, aluminium in Teflon and Silver mica)

Full dual mono, CRCRCRCC(MKP)LCCC(PIO, MKP) power supplies for valve circuits with total of 3060uF for valves anode supply

Included default set of valves; front pair 6SN7/E88CC/CV574,  6SN7 Raytheon or JAN Phillips 6SN7GT or Psvane 6SN7, middle pair E88CC Tesla or Brimar and pair of CV574 NOS rectifiers

Custom preferences accepted for valve types used in our circuit. The DAC can be build/optimized also for different selection of triode signal valves (please contact for details)

Function indicators (Optic fiber guided LEDs in 2 available colours to choose (red or blue)

Full compatibility with Windows and Mac OS (on Win7/8 Wasapi, ASIO or kernel streaming)

Automatic, ultra-fast (80 ms) `click/pop` reduction system for DSD playback + remote/manual mute

UAC2.0 compliant – Linux ready


VAD ® monocoque casing with selection of milled aluminium black or silver front panels or wood. Wooden fronts are crafted to order by renowned instrument maker in Northampton UK. Complementing the wood are solid brass controls. Machined aluminium controls in relevant colour (black or silver) for metal fronts.

Bryston Cubed SST3 Amplifiers

Revealed at CES 2016


What’s New?

Bryston engineers, led by Christopher Russell, have been busy over the years since the advent of the SST2 Series finding new methods to reduce noise and distortion to reveal more nuance and subtlety than ever before. Cubed Series amplifiers employ significant improvements including:

Dramatically less distortion at input stage
Improved common mode noise rejection
Major reduction in EMI/RFI noise rejection
Less than 500mW standby power consumption
Update dress panel aesthetic with clean lines and new finish.

Happy New Year 2016 !

Wilson Audio Alexx

$109000

Aavik Acoustics C-300 preamplifier & P-300 power amplifier

C-300 Preamplifier

Preamplifier with unique full featured system control center

The C-300 is equipped with two built-in DACs (PCM and DSD) and a phono section. It also comes with three line inputs: two single-ended and one balanced, and an RCA and an XLR output.

One-of-a-kind ultra low noise discreet phono section

For the C-300 we have designed a floating balanced, discreet, bipolar phono section.

Virtual ground amplification and volume control circuits

The virtual ground circuits eliminate the possibility of injecting dirty ground noise into the delicate audio circuits.

P-300 Power Amplifier

Unique non-switching efficient Class A output section

P-300 features a unique 150 W efficient Class A, non-switching output section where the bipolar output devices never stops conducting current. This means that the amplifier circuitry never has to deal with residuals such as switching spikes and device latchings.

Simple, short signal path

P-300 has an ultra short and simple signal circuit design, where all gain and feedback is performed by a single transistor pair. This short signal path gives P-300 a unique gain structure with extremely low distortion and a more than 90-degree phase margin for absolute amplifier stability.

Unique resonant power supplies

P-300 has four 600 W power factor corrected resonant mode power supplies. The in total 2400 W power supply combined with the extremely large electrolytic power banks allow P-300 to deliver peak currents in excess of 80 A.

Fezz Audio‬ Silver Luna

Info

High Fidelity Cables Magnetic Adapters

$299 /pr
$189 digital

Our Magnetic Adapters will give you a taste of what magnetic conduction technology can offer. Simply fit the directional* adapters onto your current cables and hear the benefits of magnetic conduction.

Available in pairs of two (L+R Destination or Source), or in a set of quads (L+R Destination and Source).

Digital is available as single unit (digital Destination or Source), or as a set of two (digital Destination and Source).

*Magnetic Conduction is a directional technology. For proper performance please be sure that the arrows on the adapters point away from your source and toward your amps/outputs.

Totaldac d1-six Dac & Dac/Server

The d1-six DAC is now the highest end one-box Totaldac DAC.

Released in 2016, it inherits from technologies developed for the d1-twelve DAC and the d1-server.

Compared to the d1-dual, the d1-six uses 6 channels of discrete R2R ladders instead of 4 ladders for the d1-dual. The transistor output stage is also new for a higher musical performance.

The sound quality is optimum on the XLR output as well as on the headphone jack and on the direct RCA output.

This DAC can integrate the server/streamer board for a direct network use, to listen local files or for streaming use.

All d1 DACs can be upgraded to a d1-six.

Tien Project O Direct Drive Turntable

12" Viroa tonearm

Weight - 30 kg

Conrad-Johnson GAT Series 2

$24000


We are excited to announce the redesign of our flagship line-stage preamplifier, the GAT to the GAT Series 2.

This update includes the introduction of an improved power supply circuit in the regulator for the main audio power supply. The new regulator also features increased filter capacitance, still utilizing all CJD Teflon Capacitors.

The update also includes boosted output coupling capacitance, again using more of the CJD Teflon capacitors.

Additionally, the tube complement is changed to incorporate PCC88 tubes, of which we have acquired a stock that we are reserving for GAT preamplifiers.

Bladelius Saga Integrated

95000 SEK

Tron Convergence Monoblock Amplifiers

The Convergence is a new mono block power amplifier from Tron. Designed to offer exceptional performance for a very modest price - £2995. The Convergence offers the same unique design and build quality as Tron's top of the range electronics.


Features:

50-watt Class AB design
Very short signal path
Exceptional power supply
Solid-State design
High quality film capacitors
Precision matched parts
High quality custom transformer
High quality gold RCA input connectors
WBT speaker binding posts
CNC machined chassis
Hand assembled in England
All parts supplied by English companies


Specification:

Input: 2 x RCA (1 x AC connected, 1 x DC connected)
Input Impedance: 1.2v = 62K, 3v = 66K
Input Sensitivity: 1.2volts RMS & 3volts RMS (Switchable on rear panel)
Output: Connections: 2 x 4mm binding posts
Output Impedance: 0.07 ohms
Output Power: 50 watts into 8 ohms
Frequency Response: 8ohm load - 20Hz – 65KHz (-3dB)
Distortion THD: 0.1%
Power Consumption (230v): Idle – 8watts
Power Consumption (230v): Full power – 90watts

ForteVita L'UltraVisore Everest

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Sennheiser HD 800S

$1700


The HD 800 S retains the core technology of the HD 800. This includes the unique transducer. Measuring 56mm and embedded in a specially manufactured stainless-steel gauze, it is the largest transducer currently used for any dynamic headphones. The patented diaphragm features a ring design that minimizes any distortion, especially at higher frequencies, keeping total harmonic distortion to less than 0.02%.

The earcups were designed to direct sound waves to the ears at a slight angle, ensuring natural tonality and a greater sense of space. The headband consists of several layers of sound-attenuating plastic and stainless steel, and the earcups are made of high-quality, high-attenuation plastic used in aviation engineering as a substitute for metal.

Finally, in order to achieve even better performance with audio sources that feature a symmetrical output, the HD 800 S includes a symmetrical XLR4 cable.

Music Culture Referenz mc 611

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