Firebottle
10-03-2017, 17:47
...and goodness me is it good. Staggeringly so to be frank.
I'll borrow Paul's photos (hope that's OK Paul):
http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a405/paulperry86/P1110755_zps1v4tws7c.jpg
As can be seen (not) the majority of the electronics are potted in some huge heatsinks with just some power supply gubbins filling the rest of the case.
http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a405/paulperry86/P1110744_zpsratfjiey.jpg
The case was diabolically put together so I've put that right and there were quite a few loose connections internally, some very loose.
Sage Audio is rather an unknown quantity, I did some research on line and the late designer made some fantastical claims for the performance and power levels.
Even with plus and minus 80V supply rails I reckon the max power would only be 100W into 8 ohms, with double that into 4 ohms.
I did read that a number of the modules had blown up so I was pleasantly surprised that the build was using +/- 50V, so de-rating the modules and improving reliability.
The measured power output is 65W into 8 ohms, and 115W into 4 ohms. As for the rest of the performance all I can say is :wow::eek:
This is the best sounding SS power amp I have come across, barring a Chord SPM 1200 (nearly £9K now).
You name it, clarity, speed, slam, attack, grunt, any more?
Staggeringly good sound, the circuit is fairly complex but with all the best techniques to obviate distortion and improve slew rates.
It is not class A which might be guessed at from the size of the heatsinks, but I think there are measures to ensure the drivers and output FETs are always on to a certain degree.
Plus it drives the Maggies wonderfully, without even breaking a sweat.
Phew.
I'll borrow Paul's photos (hope that's OK Paul):
http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a405/paulperry86/P1110755_zps1v4tws7c.jpg
As can be seen (not) the majority of the electronics are potted in some huge heatsinks with just some power supply gubbins filling the rest of the case.
http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a405/paulperry86/P1110744_zpsratfjiey.jpg
The case was diabolically put together so I've put that right and there were quite a few loose connections internally, some very loose.
Sage Audio is rather an unknown quantity, I did some research on line and the late designer made some fantastical claims for the performance and power levels.
Even with plus and minus 80V supply rails I reckon the max power would only be 100W into 8 ohms, with double that into 4 ohms.
I did read that a number of the modules had blown up so I was pleasantly surprised that the build was using +/- 50V, so de-rating the modules and improving reliability.
The measured power output is 65W into 8 ohms, and 115W into 4 ohms. As for the rest of the performance all I can say is :wow::eek:
This is the best sounding SS power amp I have come across, barring a Chord SPM 1200 (nearly £9K now).
You name it, clarity, speed, slam, attack, grunt, any more?
Staggeringly good sound, the circuit is fairly complex but with all the best techniques to obviate distortion and improve slew rates.
It is not class A which might be guessed at from the size of the heatsinks, but I think there are measures to ensure the drivers and output FETs are always on to a certain degree.
Plus it drives the Maggies wonderfully, without even breaking a sweat.
Phew.