musichal
poet emeritus
First, I want to make it clear that I have not heard, do not own, nor am I considering a purchase of this amp because I simply have no need for it. However, it looks like it could be a winner, and I failed to find any threads about it. So if you show me one (or five) such threads, then, well, oops, my bad.
Not being in the market for audio doesn't mean we don't look, now does it? And when I see an amp with a claimed $1300 price tag on sale at AA for $499, that sort of gets my attention. I generally wonder if anyone ever really paid that ask, when I see such a deep discount. I suspect few have, otherwise they wouldn't be offered at this reduction.
However, I did own a compact NuForce Heaphone Amp/Preamp which impressed me with its SQ used as a preamp. Ended up not really needing a system in the guest bedroom where I put it and dismantled the system, and sold some of it in Barter Town, including that preamp (and sort of regret it). Anyway, the point is that I am favorably disposed toward the brand.
The STA200 (model number reminds me of Realistic) is a dual mono design, each side powered from different taps off the same toroidal transformer. Rated at 80wpc at eight, I didn't see any four-ohm ratings. Looks nice in silver, but plain, minimalist appearance. One power switch, one small LED. The little preamp I owned was similar... simple, minimal.
One reviewer wrote this excerpt:
"A linear power supply, which is uncommon in most Class-D amps, produces the ultimate experience for audio enthusiasts. This supply produces 85 Watts through each of its channels at 8 Ohm, providing incredible speed and accuracy."
Which appears to imply that this is a class d amp, but it is touted as class AB. I think it is class AB and either the professional reviewer simply mistaken, or the excerpt left out some context. [edit: definitely class ab]
The amp is said to have included Swiss company Goldmund in its design process, which lends some credence to its claims, I think. Claims of innovative design, also mentioning star grounding in the same breath (is that innovative?). TAS seemed to like it, for what that's worth.
So someone here is bound to have tried one out, or is using one. Or maybe is in the market and should give it a look, What's the AK skinny, if any?
Not being in the market for audio doesn't mean we don't look, now does it? And when I see an amp with a claimed $1300 price tag on sale at AA for $499, that sort of gets my attention. I generally wonder if anyone ever really paid that ask, when I see such a deep discount. I suspect few have, otherwise they wouldn't be offered at this reduction.
However, I did own a compact NuForce Heaphone Amp/Preamp which impressed me with its SQ used as a preamp. Ended up not really needing a system in the guest bedroom where I put it and dismantled the system, and sold some of it in Barter Town, including that preamp (and sort of regret it). Anyway, the point is that I am favorably disposed toward the brand.
The STA200 (model number reminds me of Realistic) is a dual mono design, each side powered from different taps off the same toroidal transformer. Rated at 80wpc at eight, I didn't see any four-ohm ratings. Looks nice in silver, but plain, minimalist appearance. One power switch, one small LED. The little preamp I owned was similar... simple, minimal.
One reviewer wrote this excerpt:
"A linear power supply, which is uncommon in most Class-D amps, produces the ultimate experience for audio enthusiasts. This supply produces 85 Watts through each of its channels at 8 Ohm, providing incredible speed and accuracy."
Which appears to imply that this is a class d amp, but it is touted as class AB. I think it is class AB and either the professional reviewer simply mistaken, or the excerpt left out some context. [edit: definitely class ab]
The amp is said to have included Swiss company Goldmund in its design process, which lends some credence to its claims, I think. Claims of innovative design, also mentioning star grounding in the same breath (is that innovative?). TAS seemed to like it, for what that's worth.
So someone here is bound to have tried one out, or is using one. Or maybe is in the market and should give it a look, What's the AK skinny, if any?
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